Te Araroa 30/11/25

 Day 67, Ngaio to Wellington

Breakfast with the angels and more conversations before I was away down the road to rejoin the trail and the Wellington Northern Walkway.

Sunday morning Ngaio 

It was a quiet Sunday morning with a few joggers and dog walkers but no traffic as I walked the road to join the path following the stream to Wadestown.

Following the stream to Wadestown 

The trail then climbs over a hill with good views over Wellington until descending to the Botanical Gardens.

Trees and sky

Lots of interesting New Zealand vegetation and trees as well as herbs and the inevitable rose garden and café which provided a nice break.

Rose garden and café 

I had planned to walk to the end of the North Island trail today but after eating another scone decided that a wander through Wellington to my hostel before the rain started would be enough.

New Zealand Parliament building

I booked three nights in town at a very cheap hostel (single room) as the weather is still not looking good for the mountains so I have plenty of time to finish the South bit of the walk as well as see the sights of Wellington.

The old government buildings 

An excellent pub tonight with a live jazz band.

Jazz band at the Rogue and Vagabond bar

A very short day, only 10k 

Te Araroa 29/11/25

Day 66, Porirua to Ngaio

A beautiful morning again when I left the hostel for the walk beside the sea towards the railway station to get the replacement bus to Porirua.

Morning in Plimmerton 

The shuttle bus to Porirua arrived on time and, even better, was free so I was able to buy a second breakfast on arrival.

Looking back at Porirua

A climb up through the industrial estates on a good leafy path got me to the top road where a path with nearly 800 steps climbed up towards the Rangithui/Colonial Knob Walk.

A Yellow Admiral butterfly by the path

It was very windy at the top (468m) and a bit hazy but there were still good views all around and out to the top of the South Island.

Steps up

South Island in the distance 

The path then descended over the grassy hillside to the Ohariu Valley Road which was lined by horsey places and equestrian centers. None of them had a café.

Down through the rolling hills

After stopping for a snack at the start of Rifle Range Road I walked up to the start of the Skyline Walkway which is a path running around the ridge to the north and west of Wellington.

Trees by the road 

A steady climb up to the high point at Kaukau (445m) then along the skyline ridge until the trail descends to Ngaio.

The path climbs easily up through the hills

Ngaio is a really nice suburb of Wellington and has excellent trail angels in the human form of Lois and Rohan who let me camp in the garden and fed me an amazing evening meal with good conversation and a great breakfast the next day.

Down the Skyline Walkway 

We even went to look at the eels in the local stream in the evening.

Long fin eels in the stream at Ngaio 

24k walked today.

Thanks Lois and Rohan.

Driveway to the trail angels 

Te Araroa 28/11/25

Day 65, Paekakariki to Porirua

It absolutely poured with rain last night and there were strong winds as well and it was still bad when I woke up.

Heading for the beach 

The forecast was for it to improve later so I thought that a late start and shortish day would probably work so I booked into a hostel at Plimmerton .

Esplanade walk

It suddenly stopped raining at about 7am and shortly after there was even a glimmer of sun so it wasn't a late start after all.

Perching Parrot cafe

Down to the beach and a walk along the esplanade to the centre of the town and a good cafe for a bit of extra sustenance before tackling the Escarpment Track.

Painted building

The road, railway and track start off together until the track starts climbing up the hill leaving the road and rail far below.

Road, rail and path

I tried to count the number of steps that had been made, but failed, there are definitely well over one thousand.

Start of the steps up

Two excellent suspension bridges as well to cross deep valleys with great views of the sea, road and rail below.

Bridge number one

The weather stayed good and the cloud, although low, was always above the track. Definitely one of the highlights of the walk.

Road and rail below 

All too soon the Escarpment Track descended to Pukerua where after a pie and more coffee the walk is on a cycle track that follows the main road, close but mostly not in sight.

Cycleway beside the road 

Flooded footpath, the only sign of last night's rain 

Because I started earlier than planned l also arrived in Plimmerton early. The next place that I had to get to was Porirua and as it is also on the railway line I decided to walk on to there and get the train back to Plimmerton.

The costal walk

The plan to get the train back tomorrow isn't going to work as there are bus replacements for the weekend but I'm sure it will be ok.

Porirua 

A beautiful short coast walk out to the hostel where I had a room to myself. Showered and polished I went to the boat club for a few extra calories before dinner.

Walk round to the hostel 

I could have eaten there as well but I wanted to reduce my pack weight!

Boat Club

25k walked today.

Dot is where I'm staying tonight 

Te Araroa 27/11/25

Day 64, Makahika to Paekakariki 

It poured with rain last night, there was a large puddle in front of my tent to wash my feet when I got up.

The little stream that I crossed several times yesterday 

The weather forecast was for rain, fog and 90 kph wind gusts on the high ridge and little change for a few days except, maybe, Saturday.

There are mountains behind the clouds

After a little thought I decided on a plan that I devised last night. Interestingly Tim had exactly the same plan.

Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Archangels 

I decided to walk to Levin and then get a bus/train to Waikanae, where the trail comes off the mountain, and continue the walk along the coast. The plan then is to come back after a few days when the weather is, hopefully, better and walk the mountains.

Warning sign at Poads Road 

I set off down the road with only a little rain for company and after passing Poads Road where the trail heads for the hills a car pulled up with Charlie, SJ and Di in it.

Decoration in the centre of Waikanae 

The driver was Geoff the 'trail angel' that they had stayed with last night. This was his second run of the morning to take the six of them to the start of the mountain trail and he said he would pick me up on his way back to Levin.

Cycle/footpath out of Waikanae 

When he picked me up I found that he had taken Tim back to his house on the first trip and said that he would drive us both to Waikanae after he had done a school run, busy man.

Footbridge over the river Waikanae 

The plan now is to keep walking south and when the weather improves so that I can enjoy one of the few high open ridges on the North Island I will get a bus or train back to Waikanae, there are good transport links, and walk the mountains from there and Geoff will pick me up from Poads Road. Incredible Angel.

Tim vanishing into the distance

We went for a pie and coffee in Waikanae before walking out of the town following a good path by the river. Tim vanished into the distance and I carried on at my own pace down to the river mouth.

Wetland track at the river mouth 

There is a wetland reserve at the mouth of the river with a good path though it leading to the beach.

Wetland walkway 

The rain had stopped and the beach walk was great with the wind behind me and it wasn't long before I reached Paraparamu which had a café for lunch.

Beach

I spent a while in the café eating salad and drinking a smoothie trying to improve my veg intake. I packed my waterproofs in the café as it had been warm and dry but soon after leaving it started to rain a bit.

Interesting building at Paraparamu

I walked for a while but then had to get out the jacket as it got heavier. I probably should have put on the rain pants as well because a really heavy squall came through that blew me around, making me thankful that I hadn't gone up the mountain, and soaked my shorts.

A bit wild on the esplanade 

There was a stream marked on the map running down to the beach and I wondered what the crossing would be like after all the heavy rain but it only covered my ankles.

Beach again

On then to the Holiday Park at Paekakariki where I thought that a bit of luxury would be nice and booked in to a cabin.

Queen Elizabeth Park Paekakariki

Laundry done and everything spread out to dry.

Holiday Park cabin 

I haven't listed the total distance in the heading because of the section the I haven't walked yet but it was about a 23k walk today.

Today's walk

The green huts are the bit I have to come back to.