Walking Tracks Running from the the Northern Walkway

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Ngaio, one of Wellington’s northern suburbs, has many The track from Hanover Street to Waikowhai Street is part of accessible bush reserves and walking tracks running from the the Northern Walkway. From Waikowhai Street a short road lower Ngaio Gorge to the Skyline walkway. There are short walk leads to Cummings Park which has a childrens’ play tracks for family forays or longer extended walks for fitness. area. The Walkway then follows below the railway abutment to Awarua Street then to Khandallah Road and Simla Crescent TRACKS to enter Khandallah Park. From there it ascends to the top of Mt Kaukau. TRELISSICK PARK The park covers a large area of rugged landscape extending HUNTLEIGH PARK RESERVE from the lower Ngaio Gorge to Waikowhai Street with an This lesser known area has a WCC reserve and adjoining extensive network of walking tracks. Cared for by a dedicated bush administered by the Girl Guides Association. Access is group of volunteers in co-operation with the Wellington City from either alongside 29 Huntleigh Park Way or from behind Council for over 15 years, the park has regenerating bush and the Playcentre in Silverstream Road, Crofton Downs. Tracks a number of heritage trees. are marked with small coloured posts. Some care is needed in several areas that are quite steep. There are four main entrances; CUMMINGS PARK WAIKOWHAI STREET This grassed flat park is behind the Ngaio shops. There is a Entrance near the railway overbridge between Ngaio and stream, an old totara, a sculpture, seating and a protected Crofton Downs. The track descends to Wightwick’s Field, a children’s playground. A designated off the lead dog exercise flat grassed area with a picnic table and seats. It follows the area, it is safe from traffic and has a large car park. Korimako stream, which is crossed by four bridges, until it intersects* with the track from Trelissick Crescent and exits at HEKE STREET RESERVE Hanover Street, Wadestown. Access to this reserve is from the end of Collingwood Street and between 45 and 47 Thatcher Crescent. This is a pleasant From the intersection* another track runs around the steep hill- track that links Crofton Downs and Ngaio. A side track runs side to Ngaio Gorge Road. Walking this track requires care to Heke Street emerging next to 41 Heke Street. due to the steep slope. Down the hill from the intersection the NGAIO left hand track near the river (now the Kaiwharawhara Stream) BELL’S TRACK continues to the two lower Ngaio Gorge Road exits. Not far This re-established route starts at the top of Awarua Street WALKING TRACKS from the Waikowhai Street entrance the track is carved out of and joins a farm track p to a saddle on the ridge. This route solid rock. This is believed to be the remains of a nineteenth originally provided access between farms in Ohariu Valley century logging track. and the Ngaio railway station. From the top, there a fantastic views over Wellington and the South Island. A few meters further on the Silver Stream from Crofton Downs emerges in a cataract from a culvert. Adjacent to this are the ORLEANS - MAKERERUA RESERVE (PUKATEA TRACK) remains of a rare old drystone wall constructed when the This is a small reserve with an interesting track that runs Wellington-Manawatu Railway Line was built in the 1880s. from Makererua Street (off Heke Street) to Orleans Street (off Just before the junction with the Wadestown-Trelissick section Chelmsford Street).There is a gently sloped grassed area at of the track a zigzag track provides access is one of the area’s the Orleans end. The reserve is notable for a number of fine finest scenic features. specimens of native trees (pukatea, kahikatea and titoki) that This is the emergence of the stream from a section known as are survivors from the original bush. The Gorge from its narrowness and steep sides. At the junction there are several notable trees nearby especially two ma- THE SKYLINE WALKWAY ture specimens of miro and totara). This walkway runs north-south along the ridge between Mt Kaukau and Chartwell. It is 4 km long and takes two hours A major point of interest towards the end of the track is the at an easy pace. On a clear day there are spectacular views remains of an historic powder magazine built in 1879-80 and of the Kaikoura ranges, the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington used for storing explosives during the Russian invasion scare city and harbour, the Tararua and Orongorongo ranges. The of the 1880s. walkway is open to walkers and mountain bikers.

Access points are: DOG EXERCISE AREAS TRANSPORT There are three off-the-leash dog exercise areas in Ngaio. The The Old Porirua Road was the first major road in the - through the car park at the end of Chartwell Drive whole of Trelissick Park, Chelmsford Park off Lower Chelmsford area followed by Crofton Road to provide good access to - Bells Track, from the end of Awarua Street Street and Cummings Park. `Crofton’, as Ngaio was then called. The present Ngaio - from Truscott Park in Johnsonville Gorge Road follows a route similar to that approved in - from Sirsi Terrace in Broadmeadows GEOLOGY 1898. The existing railway line follows the original route - Khandallah Park: either use track access from Ngaio rocks are raised sedimentary sandstone (greywacke) opened in 1885 by the Wellington & Manawatu Rail- Simla Crescent or Woodmancote Road, Use the tracks and black mudstone (argillite). Subsidiary earthquake fault way Co as a part of the main trunk line to Auckland. The to the top of Mt Kaukau to join up with the start of the lines have allowed streams to erode valleys, such as the Company was later purchased by the Government. In 1938 Skyline Walkway. Ngaio Gorge, or have left their mark elsewhere on the land. the line was terminated at Johnsonville and electrified after PIWAKAWAKA TRACK (ODELL’S RESERVE) A good example of is the fault line that crosses the upper part the completion of the Tawa Flat - Ngauranga tunnels. of Bells Track to create a shallow valley behind The Crow’s Access is from alongside 14 Punjab Street or from the Old HOW TO GET THERE Porirua Road near the entrance to the Harbour Lights sub- Nest and small notches in the southern spurs between the track and Mt Kaukau. TranzMetro trains (the Johnsonville Line). Five stations serve division. This track passes through regenerating bush and pro- the area: Crofton Downs, Ngaio, Awarua Street, Simla vides a convenient segment of a circular walk in association A flat remnant of the original land surface or peneplain still Crescent and Box Hill. with the Bridle Track. The highest point, at the water tanks, remains on Mt Kaukau and has given its name to the ex- provides spectacular views of the city, harbour and Ngaio tensive flat surface that originally existed over much of the There are also several bus routes connecting Ngaio with itself. Great vantage point for Guy Fawkes night. Wellington area (the Kaukau-surface or K-surface). More recent- Wellington (Routes 43, 44, 45, 49), and Wilton (Route 14). Contact Metlink (ph 0800 801 700) for train and bus THE BRIDLE TRACK ly (10-20,000 years ago) freeze/thaw action during an Ice Age produced a water-logged mantle of mud and rock fragments timetable, route and ticket details or try the website This was the first northern route that linked the city with the hin- www.metlink.org.nz terland in 1840 and follows the original Maori track that was wid- that flowed down the hillsides. This debris (and the underlying ened to accommodate bridled horses. The track is a sealed path bedrocks) can be seen in many Ngaio road cuttings. SAFETY connecting Winchester Street (off Fore Street, Kaiwharawhara) EARLY MAORI Stout shoes or boots should be worn and a waterproof to Nicholson Road (Khandallah). It passes through pines and Kaiwharawhara was a Te Atiawa Pa at the mouth of the jacket and warm clothing carried in case of a change in the regenerating bush with wonderful harbour views. Kaiwharawhara Stream. There were links to the Ohariu weather. These precautions are essential if you plan to walk on the exposed skyline ridges. OTARI - WILTON’S BUSH and Makara Pas via various tracks that passed near Otari. This unique sanctuary in nearby Wilton is devoted to There was also a track to the north following the route of the present Bridle Track from Winchester Street to Khandallah. MORE INFORMATION indigenous New Zealand plants. It has a range of tracks www.ngaio.org through forest, gardens, open spaces and picnic areas. This is The Kaiwharawhara Pa had gardens in the present Kenya one of the finest showcases of native flora in the country. It is Street - Trelissick Crescent area and bird snaring was done WCC track information: www.wellington.govt.nz/ a national treasure. Access is from Wilton Bush Road, Wilton on the slopes of Mt Kaukau. (Kaukau is a corruption of kaka, services/resbelt/recreation/recreation Road or John Witton Drive. the native parrot). Northern Walkway - WCC brochure Otari-Wilton Bush - WCC brochure Otari is easy walking distance from Ngaio along Churchill BOTANY Drive to Blackridge Road where its lower entrance is on Pre-European vegetation was generally a mixed broadleaf Cummings Park Library, Ngaio - 04 479 2344 the right. Further details are available at the main entrance - podocarp forest. There were extensive stands of tawa and Khandallah Library - 04 479 7535 (Wilton Road), from Otari Information Centre/Te Marae o kohekohe with some emerging podocarps such as matai, Tane, or from the WCC in the city. totara and kahikatea in association with a rich assortment of The Onslow Historical Society broadleaf trees. Vast quantities of timber and firewood were 86 Khandallah Road SUBURBAN WALKWAYS taken from the area and there were extensive bush workings Open 1- 4pm Sat/Sun Ngaio and Crofton Downs have a large number of zigzag in Awarua Street providing logs for milling at a site in what is (Historical monographs and a quarterly magazine are walkways and steps between streets. These provide easier ac- now known as Cummings Park. also published by the Society). cess for pedestrians to shops and transport. These are shown on the map as dotted lines linking streets. They complement After the area was logged, the land was progressively cleared The Northern Heritage Trail: information and guide the track system and provide interesting walks and shortcuts for dairy farming. Sheep and cattle are still grazed on the booklet (from WCC, libraries and the Onslow through the suburb. higher slopes where some areas of bush are regenerating Historic Centre). under a protective canopy of gorse. In other cut over areas, such as the Ngaio Gorge, the bush is regenerating with tawa, mahoe, titoki, karaka and rewarewa. PREPARED BY THE NGAIO PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION 3RD EDITION, APRIL 2012 Ngaio, one of Wellington’s northern suburbs, has many The track from Hanover Street to Waikowhai Street is part of accessible bush reserves and walking tracks running from the the Northern Walkway. From Waikowhai Street a short road lower Ngaio Gorge to the Skyline walkway. There are short walk leads to Cummings Park which has a childrens’ play tracks for family forays or longer extended walks for fitness. area. The Walkway then follows below the railway abutment to Awarua Street then to Khandallah Road and Simla Crescent TRACKS to enter Khandallah Park. From there it ascends to the top of Mt Kaukau. TRELISSICK PARK The park covers a large area of rugged landscape extending HUNTLEIGH PARK RESERVE from the lower Ngaio Gorge to Waikowhai Street with an This lesser known area has a WCC reserve and adjoining extensive network of walking tracks. Cared for by a dedicated bush administered by the Girl Guides Association. Access is group of volunteers in co-operation with the Wellington City from either alongside 29 Huntleigh Park Way or from behind Council for over 15 years, the park has regenerating bush and the Playcentre in Silverstream Road, Crofton Downs. Tracks a number of heritage trees. are marked with small coloured posts. Some care is needed in several areas that are quite steep. There are four main entrances; CUMMINGS PARK WAIKOWHAI STREET This grassed flat park is behind the Ngaio shops. There is a Entrance near the railway overbridge between Ngaio and stream, an old totara, a sculpture, seating and a protected Crofton Downs. The track descends to Wightwick’s Field, a children’s playground. A designated off the lead dog exercise flat grassed area with a picnic table and seats. It follows the area, it is safe from traffic and has a large car park. Korimako stream, which is crossed by four bridges, until it intersects* with the track from Trelissick Crescent and exits at HEKE STREET RESERVE Hanover Street, Wadestown. Access to this reserve is from the end of Collingwood Street and between 45 and 47 Thatcher Crescent. This is a pleasant From the intersection* another track runs around the steep hill- track that links Crofton Downs and Ngaio. A side track runs side to Ngaio Gorge Road. Walking this track requires care to Heke Street emerging next to 41 Heke Street. due to the steep slope. Down the hill from the intersection the NGAIO left hand track near the river (now the Kaiwharawhara Stream) BELL’S TRACK continues to the two lower Ngaio Gorge Road exits. Not far This re-established route starts at the top of Awarua Street WALKING TRACKS from the Waikowhai Street entrance the track is carved out of and joins a farm track p to a saddle on the ridge. This route solid rock. This is believed to be the remains of a nineteenth originally provided access between farms in Ohariu Valley century logging track. and the Ngaio railway station. From the top, there a fantastic views over Wellington and the South Island. A few meters further on the Silver Stream from Crofton Downs emerges in a cataract from a culvert. Adjacent to this are the ORLEANS - MAKERERUA RESERVE (PUKATEA TRACK) remains of a rare old drystone wall constructed when the This is a small reserve with an interesting track that runs Wellington-Manawatu Railway Line was built in the 1880s. from Makererua Street (off Heke Street) to Orleans Street (off Just before the junction with the Wadestown-Trelissick section Chelmsford Street).There is a gently sloped grassed area at of the track a zigzag track provides access is one of the area’s the Orleans end. The reserve is notable for a number of fine finest scenic features. specimens of native trees (pukatea, kahikatea and titoki) that This is the emergence of the stream from a section known as are survivors from the original bush. The Gorge from its narrowness and steep sides. At the junction there are several notable trees nearby especially two ma- THE SKYLINE WALKWAY ture specimens of miro and totara). This walkway runs north-south along the ridge between Mt Kaukau and Chartwell. It is 4 km long and takes two hours A major point of interest towards the end of the track is the at an easy pace. On a clear day there are spectacular views remains of an historic powder magazine built in 1879-80 and of the Kaikoura ranges, the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington used for storing explosives during the Russian invasion scare city and harbour, the Tararua and Orongorongo ranges. The of the 1880s. walkway is open to walkers and mountain bikers.