Wellington Regional Trails
Two people walk along Bus Barn Track in East Harbour Regional Park during golden hour.

An easy trail through mature beech forest and stunning kahikatea trees.

Walking time
1 hr
Length
2km
Uses
Walking/Running, Tramping/Hiking
Type
Single track
Walking difficulty
Intermediate: Easier tramping track
Profile

140m climb

204m highest point

Dogs
Yes (on lead)

About the trail

Bus Barn is a short 2 kilometre trail that zigzags its way through regenerating native bush to the Main Ridge Track. Follow the ridge to Kōwhai Junction then descend into the valley through mature beech forest and some of the largest kahikatea trees in the park.

Bus Barn intersects with a number of other trails, including Butterfly Creek, Kowhai Street Track, and Mackenzie Street Track. It means there are plenty of options for the return trip.

Getting there

  • The trail starts from the old bus barn on Muritai Road in Eastbourne.
  • There are regular bus and ferry services to Eastbourne and the surrounding areas. Timetables are available from the Metlink and East by West Ferries.
  • Get ready using Plan My Walk by the NZ Mountain Safety Council for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews and a packing list.

Know before you go

For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.

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

Looking for more?

At start of items
A section of the Cheviot Road Track in Eastbourne. There is mature native bush with plenty of shade.

Cheviot Road Track

East Harbour Regional ParkCheviot Road track is a steep one-hour walk through mature native bush, with views over Lowry Bay in East Harbour Regional Park.

Howard Road trail, a walk through native bush with views of the Wellington Harbour.

Howard Road Track

East Harbour Regional ParkClimb up Mount Lowry on the Howard Road Track while stopping off at two lookouts along the way in East Harbour Regional Park.

Kāeaea Track Summit view looks out across Wellington Harbour, with Matiu/Somes Island on the right and Mākaro/Ward Island on the left. Behind Mākaro, the Miramar peninsula.

MacKenzie Road Track

East Harbour Regional ParkMacKenzie Road Track has steep steps and a zigzag trail to meet up with Main Ridge Track in East Harbour Regional Park.

A person leaps across a stream while another follows, on the East harbour Regional park Kowhai Street track.

Kererū Track

East Harbour Regional ParkKererū Track is an intermediate walk that weaves through mature forest. See kererū and orchids with views over Wellington from the hills above Days Bay.

Two mountain bikers zoom between lush green ferns and trees on the Rātā Ridge track, in East Harbour Regional Park.

Rātā Ridge

East Harbour Regional ParkA gentle traverse from Mount Lowry to Wainuiomata, with a steep finish.

The trail around Pencarrow Lakes and Eastbourne Lighthouse. Green hills meet with the blue ocean and lakes, and the white lighthouse is in the distance.

Lighthouse Track

East Harbour Regional ParkThe Lighthouse Track in Eastbourne leads you uphill to one of Wellington’s most iconic landmarks, Pencarrow Lighthouse.

3 people walking along a boardwalk looking at the native trees on the Kowhai Street Track to Butterfly Creek.

Kowhai Street Track

East Harbour Regional ParkKowhai Street Track has options to explore more of the East Harbour Regional Park, including the Butterfly Creek picnic area and views over Wellington Harbour.

Cyclists are riding along a coastal road at the Pencarrow Coast in Eastbourne, New Zealand.

Pencarrow Coast Road

East Harbour Regional ParkPencarrow Coast Road is a popular, easy walking and biking trail that winds to the historic Pencarrow Lighthouse and the shores of Lake Kohangatera.

A group of mountain bikers ride side-by-side along a gravel path with puddles. They are surrounded by lush green bush.

Karapoti Challenge Course

Ride the scenic 20km Karapoti Challenge Course through Akatarawa Forest. Get driving directions, parking info, and safety tips before you go.

The clay track of G-Drop in Tunnel Gully, Upper Hutt on a rainy day.

G-Drop

Tunnel GullyG-Drop is a fast, narrow, straight-line trail down a pine forest in Tunnel Gully. The track is intermediate for mountain bikers and easy for walkers.