Wellington Regional Trails

Navigate steep steps and a zigzag trail to meet up with Main Ridge Track.

Walking time

1 hr 45 min

Length

4km

Uses

Walking/Running, Tramping/Hiking

Type

Single track

Walking difficulty

Intermediate: Easier tramping track

Profile

205m climb

-150m descent

219m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)

About the trail

The MacKenzie Road Track in East Harbour Regional Park starts up a steep flight of steps and then zigzags through regenerating bush up to Main Ridge Track. From there choose to continue your adventure to Butterfly Creek or return via Kowhai Street Track or Bus Barn.

Getting there 

  • The trail starts on MacKenzie Road, near the Eastbourne shops.
  • There are regular bus and ferry services to Eastbourne and the surrounding areas. Timetables are available from the Metlink and East by West Ferries

Know before you go 

  • Get ready using Plan My Walk by the NZ Mountain Safety Council for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews and a packing list.
  • For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.

The trail entrance on MacKenzie Road, near the Eastbourne shops.

Looking for more?

At start of items

Cheviot Road Track

East Harbour Regional ParkA steep one-hour walk through native bush, with views over the Hutt Valley and Wellington harbour.

Howard Road Track

East Harbour Regional ParkClimb to the top of Mount Lowry and enjoy stop-offs at two lookouts along the way.

A person leaps across a stream while another follows, on the East harbour Regional park Kowhai Street track.

Kererū Track

East Harbour Regional ParkSee native kererū and orchids while enjoying views over Wellington from the hills above Days Bay.

Two people walk along Bus Barn Track in East Harbour Regional Park during golden hour.

Bus Barn Track

East Harbour Regional ParkAn easy trail through mature beech forest and stunning kahikatea trees.

3 people walking along a boardwalk looking at the native trees on the Kowhai Street Track to Butterfly Creek.

Kowhai Street Track

East Harbour Regional ParkA zigzag trail with options for exploring more of the East Harbour Regional Park, including the popular Butterfly Creek picnic area and views over Wellington Harbour.

The clay track of G-Drop in Tunnel Gully, Upper Hutt on a rainy day.

G-Drop

Tunnel GullyFly through the Pakuratahi Forest pines on this fast downhill course.

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 view from the ridgeline on the Mount Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit in the Tararua Range.

Holdsworth roadend to Powell Hut/Mount Holdsworth

Spend the night at Powell Hut or continue on to the Mount Holdsworth summit on this one or two-day adventure in the Tararua Range.

The view of mountain ranges from a wooden deck.

Mount Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit

The multi-day circuit around Mount Holdsworth gives you the opportunity to explore the tops of the Tararua Range. Enjoy 360-degree views of the Wairarapa region and Wellington.

Two people walking along a swing bridge between two hillsides on the Escarpment track above the Kāpiti Coast.

Escarpment Track

Take in spectacular views of Kapiti Island from high above the Kāpiti Coastline.