A relatively short but super scenic tracks close to Newlands, between Wellington City and the Hutt Valley, Te Ara Paparārangi and Te Ara Paparāngi ki te Tonga offer 4.6km of often incredible views over Wellington Harbour.
I’ve walked them a couple of times, starting from Waihinahina Park at the northern end, where there is plenty of parking as it is a popular dog park. It has a large flat area with native bush at the back, and panoramic views of Petone and Lower Hutt, and Matiu / Somes Island in the middle of Wellington Harbour.
Te Ara Papararangi is the longer of the two tracks, running out to Tamworth Crescent, and offers great views of classic Wellington houses perched on ridgelines and steep slopes.
It passes through the native bush of Gilberd Bush Reserve, with occasional water views.
The biggest view is a little further along with a steep drop over a fence down to SH1 and the railway line hugging the narrow stretch of land below.
It’s pretty cool to see the Miramar Peninsula from this perspective.
Along with more houses with incredible views, though they are totally exposed to the infamous Wellington wind.
It’s a good place to get a different view of the CBD.
Te Ara Paparangi ki te Tonga runs out to Promontory Crescent in Newlands and offer more harbour views. My highlight of it though was this collection of painted rocks, presumably added by local children. Cute.
