Wellington Regional Trails

See the best of Wellington by walking from the centre of the city to the south coast in Island Bay.

Walking time

6-7 hr

Length

14.3km

Uses

Walking/Running

Walking difficulty

Intermediate: Easier tramping track

Profile

183m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)

About the trail

The City to Sea Walkway starts in the heart of central Wellington near parliament and ends at the south coast suburb of Island Bay. The trail takes you across Wellington’s ridges and offers spectacular views of the city and surrounding suburbs.

The trail is well-signposted and you can walk it in either direction. The full walk takes about six or seven hours but you can also do it in stages.

What you’ll see

Along the way, you’ll walk through Wellington Botanic Garden. You’ll see the famous Wellington Cable Car, and pass by historic cottages in Aro Valley. The trail also takes you through 14 parks and reserves, children’s play areas and a public golf course.

The leafy town belt sections of this trail have exposed ridgetops and plenty of native and exotic planting. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of central Wellington and the southern suburbs. You can also see the Tararua and Remutaka Ranges, the Cook Strait, and on a clear day, even the South Island’s Kaikōura Range.

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If you’re starting on the south coast, catch the Number 1 bus to Island Bay and get off at the last stop at Shorland Park. Timetables are available on  Metlink and tickets can be purchased onboard with cash or Snapper.

There are many access points along the trail, so you can choose where to start and finish.

Looking for more?

A fur seal sitting on a rock on the Red Rocks Coastal Walkway on Wellington's south coast.

Red Rocks Track

Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveAdventure along the ridgelines on the south coast for huge views of the Cook Strait and then down to the coastline to meet the fur seals.

A scenic view of Porirua Harbour from Colonial Knob Walkway on Mount Rangituhi in on a misty dawn.

Te Araroa Walkway

A sturdy single trail that runs from Ohariu Valley Road to the top of Colonial Knob.

Three people are walking up the trail on Mount Victoria, surrounded by lush greenery, with a view of Wellington city centre behind them.

Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway

Start from the city and climb through historic pine forests to enjoy unbeatable views of the Wellington Harbour and the city from Mount Victoria Lookout.

The view over the Wellington Harbour and city from Mount Kaukau/ Tarikākā on the Skyline Walkway.

Mount Kaukau Summit / Khandallah Park Loop

Climb to the top of Mount Kaukau, 445 metres above sea level, for the highest views of the region.

The wooden platform at the summit of Lookout Loop Walk at Wrights Hill on a cloudy day.

Wrights Hill Lookout Loop Walk

Check out a WWII military fortress, spot rare birds, and take in views of the city and sea on the Wrights Hill Lookout Loop walk.

Looking east over Wellington city. The sweeping view shows green hills dotted with houses. The sky is blue with a few clouds.

Brooklyn Wind Turbine

Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveTake in some of the best views of the city from popular Wellington landmark, the Brooklyn Wind Turbine.

a birds-eye view of four people walking across a swing bridge surrounded by lush green forest on the Cannon Point Walkway in Upper Hutt, New Zealand.

Cannon Point Walkway

Zigzag through the hills north of Upper Hutt to the historic Birchville Dam.

Four people walk along the ride on Bus Barn Track, from the Butterfly Creek Loop. The setting sun shines through the native trees.

Bus Barn Track

East Harbour Regional ParkAn easy trail through mature beech forest and stunning kahikatea trees.

The people walk along a wide gravel path passing the entrance sign to East Harbour Regional Park.

Kererū Track

East Harbour Regional ParkSee native kererū and orchids while enjoying views over Wellington from the hills above Days Bay.

A small structure on a cliffside in the Mākara Walkway in the Wellington Region with the West Wind Farm visible in the background.

Mākara Walkway

Clamber high above the Mākara Beach cliffs and discover exhilarating views, WWII gun emplacements, breathtaking beachfront, and historic pā sites.

A view of Wellington Harbour/ Port Nicholson at golden hour with Matiu/Somes Island in the centre of the image.

Matiu / Somes Island

Ramble around this stunning nature reserve that sits right in the middle of Wellington Harbour.

Powell Hut in Tararua Forest Park in the Wairarapa region. It’s a small house with dark green siding, and a red roof with two people standing on the exterior wooden deck.

Holdsworth roadend to Powell Hut/Mount Holdsworth

Spend the night at Powell Hut or continue on to the Mount Holdsworth summit on this one or two-day adventure in the Tararua Range.

A hiker on the summit of a mountain range.

Mount Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit

The multi-day circuit around Mount Holdsworth gives you the opportunity to explore the tops of the Tararua Range. Enjoy 360-degree views of the Wairarapa region and Wellington.

A person stands, taking a picture with their phone of a scenic view over the city of Wellington.

Northern Walkway

Take a journey through Wellington’s outer green belt and discover abandoned railway tunnels and expansive views.

Two people walking along a swing bridge between two hillsides on the Escarpment track above the Kāpiti Coast.

Escarpment Track

Take in spectacular views of Kapiti Island from high above the Kāpiti Coastline.