It was a nice slightly overcast day as we arrived at Ben burn Park in Karori and walked to the Scout Hall to join the Zealandia Outer Perimeter Track to start our climb of Wrights Hill. This track zigzags through bush and is slightly steep in places. Near the top another track branched off to the right to take us to the top of the hill. After enjoying the view and a group photo, we examined the No 1 Gun Emplacement Pit. Mark told us the gun had been fired once during the war and the noise was so loud, it shattered windows in a number of buildings at the bottom of the hill. We then took the bush walk around to the Parade Ground and then looped around back to the top car park and entrance to the tunnels. Most long weekends, they have open days complete with guided tours. After this, it was down the road to the middle carpark and the Salvation Track at the back of the parking area. We said goodbye to Elizabeth and Ethan here as they opted for the shorter track taking them down to Burrows Ave. The Salvation Track is mainly in bush and winds its slow way down to Hazelwood Ave at the Southern end of Karori and joins onto the Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park. The track is a shared bike/walking track. Once back on the road it was down some steps to South Karori Road and we walked to Karori Park Café where we stopped for lunch and a coffee. After this it was a 20-minute street walk back to our cars.

Trip Leader – Judith O’Leary

Walkers – Mark, Helen, Christine, Sheila, Elizabeth, Ethan, and Stephanie Mills (potential new member)