Tracks.org.nz

City to Sea

Ref: http://tracks.org.nz/track/show/569

Print date: 22 May 2012 21:36:38

Location: Central City, Wellington, New Zealand

Overview:
13 km walk from Central Wellington to Island Bay on the south coast

Grade: Easy

Access: Foot (cycling is okay in parts)

Description:
This is a long but very interesting walk through parks and reserves from the centre of Wellington to the south coast. The city council produce a good brochure with a map and information, and suggest 6 hours to do the full walk (3.5 to 4 hours typical). You can walk it in sections and many variations are possible. The route shown deviates slightly from the official track in the Hutchison Road to McAlistair Park area, but this does not matter as many variations are possible depending on how much time you have.

The walk begins in Bolton St cemetery near the chapel (Mowbray St / Bolton St corner). There is information, a map, and look for the City-to-Sea signs and orange arrows along the route.
The path crosses the motorway using Denis McGrath bridge. Many routes are possible in the botanic gardens, but end up at the cable car. From there you descend via steps in Rawhiti Terrace to Kelburn Park. I recommend a short diversion through the Kelburn Park route.
Follow the route past the University and Boyd Wilson Field, through Aro Park, up Epuni St and Tanera Park to Central Park. Central Park has recently been upgraded and is now a very pleasant walk. Several routes through the park are possible but the City-to-Sea walkway is now well marked - you need to emerge and cross Brooklyn Road opposite Bidwell St. This takes you in to Prince of Wales Park. The official route emerges onto Hutchison Road and then in to MacAlister Park. The route I have plotted emerges on to Connaught Terrace in Vogeltown; it is then a short walk down to the dairy on the corner of Short St/Liardet St, and the official route is picked up again by walking down Finnimore Tce towards the water tank (inside the hill) and in to MacAlistair Park. The route emerges from MacAlistair Park, crosses Liardet/Britomart St and skirts round the side of Berhampore Golf course. There may be some muddy patches around here, and the track up from the golf course to Tawatawa Ridge is the steepest part of the walk (seats have been thoughtfully placed along the route).

View from Tawatawa Ridge towards Island Bay
The route through the reserve along Tawatawa Ridge has the best views on the walk. It is exposed and will be tough going on a windy day, but the views are wonderful. Look out for the goats in adjacent fields (city council weed control). The track continues down Frobisher St past the Buddhist Stupa (look out for the gold dome on the left) and in to Oku Street reserve which is undergoing upgrades and tree planting.

Oku Reserve trig
From Oku reserve the track descends to Island Bay via Shorland Street. There is a bus stop at the end of the Parade near Shorland Park.

Allow 4 - 6 hours for walking the entire route, and note there is considerable up and down probably amounting to around 500 metres climb from end-to-end.

Getting there:
Bolton memorial park is just off The Terrace, a short walk from Wellington railway station and Lambton Quay. You can park a car on Glenmore St opposite the Botanic Gardens all day at the weekend (City Coupon parking zone during the week). Island Bay is well served by buses, the walk terminating at the bus stop at the end of the The Parade in Island Bay.

Other notes:
Bicycles are not prohibited in most places along the route, but it is most suitable for walkers (there are steps and bush areas through which cycling would be difficult).

Length: 14.01km

Conditions: Single track

Altitude:
173m 170m 8m 5m

Last modified: 9 Jan 2010 by ledzep

Created by: ledzep

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