Te Ara o Kaiwharawhara Awa

About the trail

Te Ara o Kaiwharawhara Awa is an easy walk within Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush — the oldest and most intact native forest in Te Whanganui a Tara . The trail follows the flow of the Kaiwharawhara Stream on a mostly flat walk through native forest. Listen for native birds in the surrounding trees, and keep an eye out for tuna in the stream along the way.

Te Ara o Kaiwharawhara Awa means "the track that follows the route of the Kaiwharawhara Stream". The stream is a very significant waterbody for Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika.

The trail is suitable for buggies and ideal for a relaxed forest stroll.    

Getting there

Start the trail from the North Picnic Lawn or the parking area off Churchill Drive.

Ōtari-Wilton's Bush is at 150 Wilton Road — about five kilometres from Wellington city centre. The reserve is open daily from dawn to dusk.

• By bus: Take the Number 14 Wilton bus from Lambton Quay to Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush. Timetables are available from the Metlink website.
• By car: Parking is available at the main public car park at the Wilton Road entrance, or at the car park off Churchill Drive.

Know before you go

• Toilets are available at Tāne Whakapiripiri (Ōtari Visitors Centre), Leonard Cockayne Centre, and the Troup Picnic Lawn.
• A map board is available at the Visitor Centre, and all tracks are clearly signposted.
• Take all rubbish out of the park with you. Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush is a pack-in, pack-out site, with no rubbish bins available.
• Kaitiakitanga — take care and respect the forest:
  • Give wildlife space and don’t pick or damage the plants.
  • Keep dogs on short leads.
  • Don’t feed the eels.
  • No fires, drones, cycling or mountain biking permitted.