Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway

Walking time

1 hr 30 min

Length

2.6km

Uses

Walking/Running, Mountain Biking

Walking difficulty

Easy: Walking track

Mountain Bike Grade

Intermediate: Grade 3

Profile

197m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)

About the trail

The 4.5km walkway begins on Courtenay Place. Wind your way up through turn-of-the-century Mount Victoria villas and historic pines to reach a lookout with panoramic city views. The climb through the town belt can be steep, but it’s definitely worth it for the view at the top.

Watch ferries make their way into the harbour or planes land and take off from the airport. The Ōrongorongo Ranges can be seen to the north, as can the peaks of the Southern Alps in the South Island. Continue the loop down to return to Oriental Bay. The whole walk takes about 1.5 hours.

At the lookout, there are information panels and a carved wooden pou. Just below the summit, you’ll find the Byrd Memorial, dedicated to American polar explorer and aviator Richard Byrd. There is also a bronze cannon that used to be fired at noon each day between 1877 and 1900, so colonial Wellingtonians could set their watches and clocks to keep time.

Getting there

Start the walk from the city, either at Oriental Bay or Mount Victoria.

You can also take the Number 20 bus up to the lookout. Bus timetables are available from the Metlink website.

If you’re driving, there is a large car park at the summit and a parking area near the toilets.

Two people look at the view from Mount Victoria in Wellington. The sky is bright blue and two birds are flying in the distance.

The rocky coastline, blue water, and mountains are at Red Rocks Coastal Walkway.

Red Rocks Track

Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveAdventure along the ridgelines on the south coast for huge views of the Cook Strait and then down to the coastline to meet the fur seals.

Fenceline

Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveFollow the boundary of Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne ecosanctuary and tune into native birdsong.

A scenic view of Porirua Harbour from Colonial Knob Walkway on Rangituhi/Colonial Knob on a misty dawn.

Te Araroa Walkway

A sturdy single trail that runs from Ohariu Valley Road to the top of Rangituhi/Colonial Knob.

The wooden platform at the summit of Lookout Loop Walk at Wrights Hill on a cloudy day.

Wrights Hill Lookout Loop Walk

Check out a WWII military fortress, spot rare birds, and take in views of the city and sea on the Wrights Hill Lookout Loop walk.

Salvation Bush Walk

A walking and mountain biking loop trail at Wrights Hill Reserve.

Looking east over Wellington city. The sweeping view shows green hills dotted with houses. The sky is blue with a few clouds.

Brooklyn Wind Turbine

Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveTake in some of the best views of the city from popular Wellington landmark, the Brooklyn Wind Turbine.

Three people standing on top of Birchville Dam. Green trees and bushes surround them.

Cannon Point Walkway

Zigzag through the hills north of Upper Hutt to the historic Birchville Dam.

The bright blue water and rugged coastline at Red Rocks on Wellington's south coast.

Red Rocks Coastal Walk

Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveExperience the wildest part of Wellington’s rugged south coast, where you might encounter a colony of fur seals and catch views of the South Island.

A vast landscape with tall dry grass in the foreground, rolling hills, houses along the coastline and a mountain range across the water.

Tip Track

Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveA punishing route to the top of Hawkins Hill with stunning views over Wellington.

Skyline Walkway

Journey along Wellington’s highest peaks from Mākara Saddle to the summit of Mount Kaukau, ending in Johnsonville.