Windless Wellington walks

Hidden away in the Hutt Valley, Tane’s Track is a leisurely, one-hour walking route, winding from the Tunnel Gully car park through native bush to Mount Climie and back.

Begin your walk from the lower picnic area, then take the left-hand branch through rimu, mātai, kahikatea and tawa forest. Cross the road that once formed the Remutaka railway line, and climb through black beech forest up to Collins stream and a picturesque waterfall. Shortly after starting back towards the car park, you’ll cross the Mount Climie access road and a grove of eucalyptus trees. This was once the campsite for the workers who built the Mangaroa Railway Tunnel.

Tane’s Track is 2.3km long, dog-friendly, and well-protected from the southerly.

New Zealand’s only botanic garden dedicated solely to native plants encompasses 100 hectares of native forest. There are a wide variety of walks ranging in length from 10 minutes to 2.5hrs in length.

Descending to the Troupe Picnic Area, the Circular Trail is one of the gentler tracks available. There are barbeque facilities and a stream nearby, so it’s popular with families. The Blue Trail is a more challenging alternative, with some steeper terrain, but it’s well worth the effort to see an 800-year-old rimu tree.

Ōtari-Wilton’s bush is sheltered, even in high winds. Just a 15-minute drive from the central city, it may become your next go-to on a breezy day.

Located in Lower Hutt’s East Harbour Regional Park, the Kowhai Street Track is a great option for a short walk. Beginning in Kowhai Street, Eastbourne, the well-maintained track climbs to reveal wonderful views over Wellington Harbour. Roughly 1km along the track, a junction gives the option to take a longer return route via MacKenzie Road Track or a 15-minute descent to Butterfly Creek.

Butterfly Creek Valley is surrounded by silver fern and beech trees that make for a cooling walk after your initial exertion. With so many tracks to choose from and excellent bush cover providing shelter from the wind, the Northern Forest is a fine spot to spend the day.

An all-weather track following a gentle gradient from Te Whiti Park in Lower Hutt to the top of the Eastern Hutt Hills — this wide well-formed trail is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It’s a popular multi-purpose recreational track for walking and biking.

The trail is sheltered from the wind and links up to other popular spots, including the extensive Waiu Park trail network and East Harbour Regional Park. A great place to spend a weekend exploring, with delicious treats to be found in nearby Petone, Hutt City or Wainuiomata.

Barry Hadfield Nīkau Reserve is a shaded bush walk through large clusters of nīkau palms along a gravel track. It leads up a steep but short staircase climb — perfect for kids with lots of energy to burn.

Climb to the top and sit on the picnic table to admire the views of Kāpiti Coast and Kapiti Island.

The track takes you through 11 hectares of remnant nīkau palms, kohekohe trees and a good population of ewekuri, a regionally endangered species. You will come across pīwakawaka, riroriro, tūī, korimako, and even kererū.

The reserve is across the road from a breeding colony of little shag — an important link in a chain of forest remnants linking the Tararua Range to Kapiti Island.

Spicer Link is one of the most popular trails within Ngā Ara o Rangituhi. This flat, easy trail is ideal if you’re out for a leisurely family walk or learning the basics of mountain biking. 

The trail weaves through the Porirua bush, leading walkers on a 45-minute journey.   

Spicer Link is a shared, two-way trail and serves as a catchment for some of the downhill mountain biking trails in Ngā Ara o Rangituhi. Bikers are expected to give way to walkers.