Wellington

Wellington

Ara Harakeke - OPEN

Note: All seasons
<  Paekakariki Escarpment Track
Colonial Knob  >
Northern Start
Pukerua Bay shops on SH1
Southern End
Station Rd, Porirua
Distance
13.5km
Time
3-3.5hr
Track Standard
Road margin   Footpath   Easy tramping track   Tramping track   Route   Mixed grade  
Potential Hazards
  • Vehicles on road or track Rail service vehicles/cycles Plimmerton-Paremata
  • Tides, waves & rivers - safer at low tide Can walk beach at Plimmerton
  • Few water sources
Description
(North to South)

This track comprises 3 short, easy sections:

1)    Pukerua Bay to Plimmerton - 1hr 20min
2)    Plimmerton to Paremata Bridge - 40min
3)    Paremata Bridge to Porirua Railway Station - 1hr
 
Track Notes
 
Route continues south (right) along the footpath on the right hand side of SH1, passing a wooden sculpture, until it reaches Ara Harakeke ("Flax Pathway")

At Whenua Tapu Cemetery continue on Ara Harakeke past the large Taupo Swamp. At Northpoint St go south. Continue to the railway underpass on to Steyne Ave. Turn left, and just before Steyne Ave crosses the Main Trunk Line turn right to coastal pathway (still Ara Harakeke). Follow path then under railway, exit walkway across car park, and cross the Mana/Paremata Bridge over the Pauatahanui Estuary mouth.

Proceed to second pink pedestrian rail overbridge via the Paremata station platform. Exit overbridge to right along Paremata Crescent, becoming Papakowhai Rd. Continue along Papakowhai Rd then to Aotea Lagoon across the road on right. Toilets en route at Plimmerton & Aotea Lagoon.

Exit Aotea lagoon at main entrance (south). Cross Whitford Brown Ave. at pedestrian crossing and turn left, then right into Okowai Rd. Enter into the Gear Homestead grounds on the right. Exit Gear Homestead passing through the Adrenalin Forest. The Gear Homestead and the Aotea Lagoon both provide lovely picnic areas. If you are a dare devil, take time out for some heart-pumping action at the amazing Adrenalin Forest confidence course.

Turn right onto Aotea subdivision track to SH1. Left into SH1 walkway, then right on to The Ramp (roadbridge to Porirua City). Turn left immediately over bridge into Bullock Lane (beside estuary) and follow waterside path to Station Rd. 
If continuing directly to Colonial Knob, take the 1.5km Raiha Walk to Elsdon (camp ground)
Downloads

  Download Map 1 (map074)

  Download Trail Notes (Ara Harakeke)

Note: Map is indicative only
Toggle Track
Extra Info

Porirua

Provides a mixture of walkway cycleway, tramping tracks and road walking

General information 
Porirua i-Site - Under the Canopies, Cobham Court, Porirua Central Business District - P: 04 237 5089 

Accommodation option en route - Plimmerton 
Moana Lodge Backpackers 49 Moana Road, Plimmerton - P: 04 233 2010 - E: info@moanalodge.co.nz 
Aquavilla B&B 16 Steyne Ave, Plimmerton - P: 04 2336116 - E: info@aquavilla.co.nz

Accommodation
Camp Elsdon - 18 Raiha St, Elsdon, Porirua - P: 04 237 8987 - E: camp_elsdon@xtra.co.nz - 
Aotea Camping Grounds - 3 Whitford Brown Ave, Papakowhai - P: 04 235 9599 - E: aoteacamping@vodafone.co.nz 
A variety of motels and B&B’s including Amethyst Court Motor Lodge and Belmont Motor Lodge.  

Resupply
Pak N Save Supermarket -12 Parumoana St, Porirua - P: 04 238 0601 
New World Supermarket - Cnr Walton Leigh & Lyttleton Ave, Porirua - P: 04 237 0012
Countdown Supermarket - Cnr Parumoana and Lyttleton Ave, Porirua - P: 04 239 6060 

 

Requirements
  • Keep to the track
  • Respect private land
  • No litter
  • No taking plants
Environment
  • Take all rubbish with you
  • Use toilets provided
Amenities
(Start)
  • Car park
  • Toilets At Pukerua Bay Shops
  • Shop A few hundred metres up (south) road
Amenities
(On Route)
  • Picnic area Aotea Lagoon & Gear Homestead
  • Toilets Plimmerton & Aotea Lagoon
  • Shop Plimmerton
Amenities
(End)
  • Full range of amenities in Porirua
  • Accommodation Camp Ground at Elsdon
Closest Town(s)
Pukerua Bay (village), Porirua
Managed by
Porirua City Council
Northern Start
Pukerua Bay shops on SH1
Southern End
Station Rd, Porirua
Distance
13.5km
Time
3-3.5hr
Track Standard
Road margin   Footpath   Easy tramping track   Tramping track   Route   Mixed grade  
Description
(North to South)

This track comprises 3 short, easy sections:

1)    Pukerua Bay to Plimmerton - 1hr 20min
2)    Plimmerton to Paremata Bridge - 40min
3)    Paremata Bridge to Porirua Railway Station - 1hr
 
Track Notes
 
Route continues south (right) along the footpath on the right hand side of SH1, passing a wooden sculpture, until it reaches Ara Harakeke ("Flax Pathway")

At Whenua Tapu Cemetery continue on Ara Harakeke past the large Taupo Swamp. At Northpoint St go south. Continue to the railway underpass on to Steyne Ave. Turn left, and just before Steyne Ave crosses the Main Trunk Line turn right to coastal pathway (still Ara Harakeke). Follow path then under railway, exit walkway across car park, and cross the Mana/Paremata Bridge over the Pauatahanui Estuary mouth.

Proceed to second pink pedestrian rail overbridge via the Paremata station platform. Exit overbridge to right along Paremata Crescent, becoming Papakowhai Rd. Continue along Papakowhai Rd then to Aotea Lagoon across the road on right. Toilets en route at Plimmerton & Aotea Lagoon.

Exit Aotea lagoon at main entrance (south). Cross Whitford Brown Ave. at pedestrian crossing and turn left, then right into Okowai Rd. Enter into the Gear Homestead grounds on the right. Exit Gear Homestead passing through the Adrenalin Forest. The Gear Homestead and the Aotea Lagoon both provide lovely picnic areas. If you are a dare devil, take time out for some heart-pumping action at the amazing Adrenalin Forest confidence course.

Turn right onto Aotea subdivision track to SH1. Left into SH1 walkway, then right on to The Ramp (roadbridge to Porirua City). Turn left immediately over bridge into Bullock Lane (beside estuary) and follow waterside path to Station Rd. 
If continuing directly to Colonial Knob, take the 1.5km Raiha Walk to Elsdon (camp ground)
Potential Hazards
  • Vehicles on road or track Rail service vehicles/cycles Plimmerton-Paremata
  • Tides, waves & rivers - safer at low tide Can walk beach at Plimmerton
  • Few water sources
Description
(North to South)

This track comprises 3 short, easy sections:

1)    Pukerua Bay to Plimmerton - 1hr 20min
2)    Plimmerton to Paremata Bridge - 40min
3)    Paremata Bridge to Porirua Railway Station - 1hr
 
Track Notes
 
Route continues south (right) along the footpath on the right hand side of SH1, passing a wooden sculpture, until it reaches Ara Harakeke ("Flax Pathway")

At Whenua Tapu Cemetery continue on Ara Harakeke past the large Taupo Swamp. At Northpoint St go south. Continue to the railway underpass on to Steyne Ave. Turn left, and just before Steyne Ave crosses the Main Trunk Line turn right to coastal pathway (still Ara Harakeke). Follow path then under railway, exit walkway across car park, and cross the Mana/Paremata Bridge over the Pauatahanui Estuary mouth.

Proceed to second pink pedestrian rail overbridge via the Paremata station platform. Exit overbridge to right along Paremata Crescent, becoming Papakowhai Rd. Continue along Papakowhai Rd then to Aotea Lagoon across the road on right. Toilets en route at Plimmerton & Aotea Lagoon.

Exit Aotea lagoon at main entrance (south). Cross Whitford Brown Ave. at pedestrian crossing and turn left, then right into Okowai Rd. Enter into the Gear Homestead grounds on the right. Exit Gear Homestead passing through the Adrenalin Forest. The Gear Homestead and the Aotea Lagoon both provide lovely picnic areas. If you are a dare devil, take time out for some heart-pumping action at the amazing Adrenalin Forest confidence course.

Turn right onto Aotea subdivision track to SH1. Left into SH1 walkway, then right on to The Ramp (roadbridge to Porirua City). Turn left immediately over bridge into Bullock Lane (beside estuary) and follow waterside path to Station Rd. 
If continuing directly to Colonial Knob, take the 1.5km Raiha Walk to Elsdon (camp ground)
Downloads

  Download Map 1 (map074)

  Download Trail Notes (Ara Harakeke)

Note: Map is indicative only
Toggle Track
Extra Info

Porirua

Provides a mixture of walkway cycleway, tramping tracks and road walking

General information 
Porirua i-Site - Under the Canopies, Cobham Court, Porirua Central Business District - P: 04 237 5089 

Accommodation option en route - Plimmerton 
Moana Lodge Backpackers 49 Moana Road, Plimmerton - P: 04 233 2010 - E: info@moanalodge.co.nz 
Aquavilla B&B 16 Steyne Ave, Plimmerton - P: 04 2336116 - E: info@aquavilla.co.nz

Accommodation
Camp Elsdon - 18 Raiha St, Elsdon, Porirua - P: 04 237 8987 - E: camp_elsdon@xtra.co.nz - 
Aotea Camping Grounds - 3 Whitford Brown Ave, Papakowhai - P: 04 235 9599 - E: aoteacamping@vodafone.co.nz 
A variety of motels and B&B’s including Amethyst Court Motor Lodge and Belmont Motor Lodge.  

Resupply
Pak N Save Supermarket -12 Parumoana St, Porirua - P: 04 238 0601 
New World Supermarket - Cnr Walton Leigh & Lyttleton Ave, Porirua - P: 04 237 0012
Countdown Supermarket - Cnr Parumoana and Lyttleton Ave, Porirua - P: 04 239 6060 

 

Requirements
  • Keep to the track
  • Respect private land
  • No litter
  • No taking plants
Environment
  • Take all rubbish with you
  • Use toilets provided
Amenities
(Start)
  • Car park
  • Toilets At Pukerua Bay Shops
  • Shop A few hundred metres up (south) road
Amenities
(On Route)
  • Picnic area Aotea Lagoon & Gear Homestead
  • Toilets Plimmerton & Aotea Lagoon
  • Shop Plimmerton
Amenities
(End)
  • Full range of amenities in Porirua
  • Accommodation Camp Ground at Elsdon
Closest Town(s)
Pukerua Bay (village), Porirua
Managed by
Porirua City Council