Walking this section
Introduction
Te Araroa section: Few capital cities offer walks with such spectacular views as this section from Porirua to Wellington's suburb of Ngaio (or Johnsonville or Khandallah). On a clear day, the views stretch up to Mt Taranaki in the north, across to the South Island’s Kaikōura Ranges and Marlborough Sounds, and embrace the city’s attractive harbour and hillside suburbs. There is easy accessibility to the start and endpoints for the 22km walk
Porirua to Elsdon - 3km / 45 minutes
From Station Road (adjacent to Porirua Railway Station), cross Lyttelton Avenue at the pedestrian crossing and turn right.
On the northern edge of New World Supermarket car park, turn left onto the pathway. Follow the path to the city centre uncovered carpark.
Cross the carpark and cross the pedestrian crossing on Hagley Street and turn left.
Cross Tītahi Bay Road at the crossing.
Immediately cross Hagley Street again towards the south.
Follow the Raiha Walkway on the concrete path along the grass verge.
Continue along the walkway through to Raiha Street.
Exit to the right. Walk 200-300m to Colonial Knob Walkway car park on the left (past Elsdon Camp).
Elsdon to Colonial Knob - 4km / 1 hour
Follow the marked track up Colonial Knob.
Colonial Knob to Mt Kaukau - 14km / 4¼ hours
Follow markers down the other side (blue) to the edge of Spicer Forest.
Cross stile turn right, and follow the fenceline on the edge of the forest.
Turn left into the forest, following yellow circles through the forest and down to the valley floor.
Exit through the gate and turn left into Ōhariu Valley Road.
Walk along the road (approx 5kms) to the crossroads. Straight through crossroads to Rifle Range Road to end. Enter Old Coach Road. (Optional exit into Johnsonville at Truscott Avenue.)
Continue along the marked track towards television the mast on Mt Kaukau. (Optional exit down to Woodmancoate Road, Khandallah).
Bells Track - 1km
From Mt Kaukau viewing platform, head west along the Skyline Track. In 30 minutes, turn sharp left (south) down steep Bell's Track to Awarua Street for approximately 1km.
Getting there
Track conditions
Potential Hazards
- Vehicles on road or track take plenty of care along Ohariu Valley Road - it is narrow and twisting. When road walking, walkers should should wear high visibility clothing or accessories, not wear any earbuds, and remain vigilant for traffic. Walk on the right side of the road, facing oncoming traffic, where possible.
- Farming operations - Go around cattle and take extra care at calving/lambing
- Forestry operations in Spicer Forest (occasional)
- Track exposed to sun, wind or cold along the tops
- Weather extremes along the tops
- Few water sources along the tops
- Cellphone Coverage - Good coverage apart from Ōhariu Valley Road, Rifle Range Road and Old Coach Road.
Dogs on leash only allowed in the Northern Walkway sections. Other sections of the walkway are not suitable for dogs as they go through private farm land.