Take a walk in a very special park


	A view from the Hawtrey Route, overlooking Wellington Harbour

Straddling the hills between Eastbourne and Wainuiomata is the northern block of East Harbour Regional Park - a wealth of native forest and birds, and stunning views. You should visit this spring... it's well worth the trip.

"Even if you haven't visited the park, you've probably seen this striking backdrop to Wellington Harbour from across the water," says Park Ranger Gareth Cooper.

These days the park is something of a secret to many people around the Wellington region, even though the park has tracks that were cut as far back as the 1930s and was once a very popular day-trip on the old Wellington to Eastbourne ferry back in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

"What people may not know is that the park features some of the best beech and rata forest in the Wellington region. It's also unusual to see forest coming right down to the urban fringe,"says Gareth. "People may be also unaware that it's remarkably easy to get to the tracks in the park's northern block, with entrances and exits in Wainuiomata, and the bays between Seaview and Eastbourne."

Greater Wellington has recently upgraded and realigned the tracks, meaning visitors don't have to look at their feet all the time. Instead they can chat to friends, spot the birdlife or enjoy the amazing views.

"We've made sure there's something for everyone. There are easier tracks suitable for young families and people of all fitness levels,as well as tracks that are more challenging," says Gareth. "But wherever you're going in the park, wear suitable lace-up walking footwear, take a rain jacket and extra warm clothing, and enough food and drink for your trip."

Options range from the classic family walk through the Butterfly Creek valley to the Rata Ridge mountain bike track, which is great for experienced riders. Seasoned trampers can take advantage of off-track opportunities in Gollans Valley.

For more information on East Harbour Regional Park, including detailed maps, see www.gw.govt.nz/eastharbour

For more information on all of Greater Wellington's regional parks and forests, see www.gw.govt.nz/parks

Two tracks to try

Hawtrey Route (Days Bay to Eastbourne)

2 hours, some steep climbing

It's a real treat to see northern rata trees in full red bloom. But if you go along the Hawtrey Route in summer, that's what's on offer. Start in Days Bay, climb up to the Main Ridge Track via the Kereru

Track, follow the Hawtrey Route along the top for about an hour, drop down to Eastbourne for a coffee, then walk back along Marine Parade to your starting point.

Puriri Track (Wainuiomata to Days Bay)

4 hours, easy-moderate

Climb the Puriri Track from Wainuiomata Road, go along the Main Ridge Track where you'll see beech and rata forest, then drop down one of the tracks to Days Bay where you can treat yourself to a well-deserved ice cream.

Beautiful lakes

Try the Lighthouse Track and Lakes Block Circuit in the park's southern section. You'll need to walk or ride a bike from Burdans Gate in Eastbourne to reach the lakes block, but once you do it'll take your breath away. Lake Kohangatera and Lake Kohangapiripiri are stunning wetlands where you're likely to see wetland birds going about their business. You can also walk up to the Pencarrow Lighthouse for a marvellous outlook from the neck of the Wellington Harbour. Greater Wellington also offers the opportunity to visit the lakes block by bus on the Lighthouse and Lakes tour - see the summer Regional Outdoors Programme in December's Our Region.

Native birds and bush

North Island robins are back in EastHarbour Regional Park thanks to the hard work of Mainland Island Restoration Operation (MIRO) in partnership with Greater Wellington. MIRO and Greater Wellington have removed thousands of possums and rats over the past few years, allowing native birds to return and the park's rata trees to flourish. This year MIRO began introducing North Island robins and hopes it'll establish a breeding population. And thanks to the possum and rat control, visitors are also spotting birds that were rarely seen or absent a few years ago, such as bellbirds, riflemen, whiteheads and kakariki.

Getting there by public transport

You can access all the East Harbour Regional Park entrances from Wellington, Wairarapa, Lower and Upper Hutt, Kapiti and Porirua by public transport. Find your best train and bus route by phoning Metlink on 0800 801 700 or use Metlink's journey planner.