Otari - Wilton’s Bush - with 14kms of walking tracks
Step back in time to an ancient world in Wellington. Enter the tranquil Fernery, tiptoe through the treetops on the Canopy Walkway, hike the trails to find the 800-year-old rimu.
Otari-Wilton’s Bush is the only botanic garden in New Zealand solely dedicated to native plants, as well as being the country’s foremost native plant collection.
In this unique plant sanctuary there are five hectares of plant collections and 1000 hectares of mature and regenerating native bush.
The mature podocarp-northern rata forest is the only remnant of this once common forest type in the Wellington peninsula.
Otari has 14kms of excellent walking tracks, a treetop canopy walkway soaring 18 metres above the
forest floor, large alpine garden, picnic areas and a modern visitor centre.
It is also home to some of Wellington’s oldest trees, including an 800-year old rimu! Otari Wilton’s Bush is the only public garden in New Zealand dedicated soley to native plants.
Paths and Tracks
There are 14 kilometres of walking tracks at Otari-Wilton’s Bush, ranging from smooth paths and boardwalks designed to accommodate wheelchairs, to rough tramping tracks traversing steep forested slopes. The major tracks are described below and are shown on the map on opposite page..
Please note: The nature of Wellington’s geography dictates that any track leading down hill will demand an equally steep uphill return.
Easy paths
From the main entrance on Wilton Road, there are several short paths, suitable for wheelchairs and prams. Take a leisurely stroll across the canopy walkway to the plant collections or along Wilton’s Walkway to an observation deck tucked into tranquil forest.
From Otari’s North Picnic Area entrance, just off Churchill Drive, a smooth avenue meanders gently beside Kaiwharawhara Stream to the
Above: Native trees on each side of the path.
Troup Picnic Area. From there, the track narrows but continues up to Ian Galloway Park and Karori Cemetry, at the southern end of the reserve.
Average tracks
From the main entrance on Wilton Road, many people take a leisurely stroll across the Canopy Walkway, past the Cockayne Lawn and down the major Circular Walk track to the Troup Picnic Area (10 minutes).
From the Troup Picnic Area, you have a choice of several destinations. A common option is to continue the loop of the Circular Walk, returning you to the Information Centre within approximately 30 minutes.
Another option from the Troup Picnic Area is to cross the stream and climb part of the steep Blue Trail, which includes steps, to visit the 800-year-old rimu. A trip to the rimu then back the same way takes about 20 minutes.
Also from the Troup Picnic Area, you can branch off the Circular Walk about 10 minutes downstream to take a secondary track back to the main entrance on Wilton Road via the Waterfall lookout, up to the Wild Gardens and back to the car park (15 minutes). This secondary track has an impressive set of steps that will test the legs and lungs of any trainee mountaineer.
Rough tracks
Keen explorers will enjoy the wild excursions offered by rough tracks such as the Blue Trail.
From the Troup Picnic Area, give yourself an hour to follow this signposted track, past the ancient rimu and on to Karori Cemetry. Then drop down to the Kaiwharawhara Valley and follow the valley track back to the Troup Picnic Area. From the Information Centre, this round trip takes about two hours.
Those with more than an hour to spare will be well rewarded with a trip up to the Skyline Ridge and back.
From the Troup Picnic Area, tramp up the Yellow Trail (branching to the right off the Blue Trail) to the Flax Clearing.
At the far end of the clearing, a gently sloping track (built by OtariWilton’s Bush Trust volunteers) leads through regenerating forest to an old farm track. Turn left at the farm track and continue for another 15 minutes to join the Skyline Track.
On a fine day, the skyline offers fantastic views. Either retrace your steps or continue south to Johnston Hill or north towards Mt Kaukau.
The Red Trail provides a 30- to 60-minute walk at the northern end of the reserve. Passing through the Flax Clearing, this trail offers wonderful views back over Otari and across to Tinakori Hill.
All the tracks are well signposted.