2007-01-28-Trelissick Park-Kaiwharawhara Stream-Kaukau

Trip lists 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 Trip locations Trip types Trip information

This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 79 No. 10, November 2007

Super Sewer Tour Mk VI

Sunday 28 January 2007

From the No.43 bus in Kaiwharawhara Rd, we entered Trelissick Park and tramped past the Powder Magazine to the junction with the track that climbs high on the true left of the valley. We revelled in the tall forest of titoki and tawa along this route, which ends near a big totara.

We descended to the gorge, then used the new fish ladder to sidle the pool at the forks of the Te Mahanga and Korimako branches of Kaiwharawhara Stream. The gorge is picturesque, and to newcomers, a surprise in an urban area! Soon we reached a spot for scroggin in the sun, near one of the five bridges and planted areas. Upstream from Wightwick's Field, we began the Stygian section of the trip – several stormwater culverts. Wading upstream, we collected lots of plastic waste, saw a tuna/eel and parera/grey duck and chatted with welcoming neighbours. We then enjoyed our torchlight procession through the sinuous, 200 metre-long culvert under Ngaio's tennis courts, roundabout, hall and library, to emerge happy and hungry at Cummings Park, an ideal spot for lunch.

We reached our highpoint, Kaukau, via the 210 steps from Awarua St Station to Fox St, and the 62 Amapur Drive access to Khandallah Park's fine forest and the Northern Walkway. Finally we descended via North Ridge Track to Woodmancote Rd, and sipped hot drinks while awaiting our bus to town. We thank Ngaio Progressive Association and Wellington City Council for supplies of the pamphlet Ngaio Walking Tracks, and Barbara Mitcalfe for help with the reccee.

Party members

Michael Brown, Margaret Foden, Warwick Hill, Chris Horne (leader/scribe), Sheena and Stuart Hudson, Chris Kroger, Christine Leighs, Diane McAllen, Don McMaster, Ray Markham, Maria Mears, Pat Reesby