Seven of us set out on a rather lovely day from Blackrock Road where we climbed the hill to Promontory Crescent. The top of this crescent offers some wonderful views over Wellington Harbour, so we stopped for a group photo (thanks Sharon) before we disappeared down onto the track. The walk is divided into 2 tracks and the first shorter path called Te Ara Paparangi ki te Tonga is very easy with a good shingle track underfoot. This first track also contains a dell decorated with painted rocks. Such a great idea to get children out walking where they can discover wee treasures like this. It is mainly bush walking with the occasional view.

Then it was about 200 meters through the streets to Te Ara Paparangi which made its way through Gilberd Bush Reserve. This track is the more demanding one of the 2 as it is undulating with a number of climbs and has some very narrow areas with drop offs. It also provides some spectacular views.

We arrived at Waihinahina Park around 11.45 and had our lunch. It did become a bit cold here as it is very open and once again has some amazing views. So, we didn’t linger long. This park was once the Newlands Tip and you can see a number of breather pipes which we thought must be to let out methane. It was pretty boggy in places so we stuck to the path and then followed the road up the hill, past the Marae and onto Newlands Road West.

3 of us decided to stop at New World for a coffee while the rest of the group went straight home. It was pretty sheltered here, so we sat in sun and just soaked up the rays for 30 minutes, before heading straight down the road to our cars.

Lead - Judith O’Leary

Walkers: Denise, Christine, Sharon, Telas, Stephanie and Lesley