Local Walkways - Porirua

Porirua has a range of walking tracks and pathways suitable for all ages:

Walking as a means of exercise is becoming more popular among all age groups. It is low-impact, can be done at your own pace, requires little specialised equipment, takes you to interesting places, and is a pastime the whole family can enjoy.

Porirua City has a number of interesting walking tracks, ranging from the City Centre to Colonial Knob, along beaches, around lakes and in the bush.

Aotea Lagoon:

There is a wide flat sealed pathway around the lagoon which caters for children on trikes, wheelchairs and mobility scooters and prams. This public park has a large adventure playground for the older children, and a modern fenced toddlers playground, with nearby picnic areas for the adults to use while watching the children. The photo above shows the view from the Aotea Lagoon train that runs on most fine Sundays.

Ara Harakeke Pathway:

This pathway is an easy challenge for the family on a morning or afternoon's walk or cycle.

Bothamley Park:

This is an old farm track that follows the Kenepuru Stream and passes through areas of exotic trees and regenerating natives with links to Aotea Block and Cannons Creek Park.

Camborne Walkway:

The Camborne Walkway is a sheltered, quiet, flat walkway right next to the Pauatahanui Inlet. It has a flat gravelly surface and is ideal for walkers and cyclists, and while suitable for mountain buggys, is not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

Colonial Knob Walkway:

If you want a personal or family challenge, then the Colonial Knob Walkway is for you. It takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to climb the 1.76 kilometres to the Knob on a steep gravel surface. However, there are no public toilets, and the walkway is not suitable for cyclists, wheelchairs or mobility scooters, or prams/buggys.

Pauatahanui Wildlife Management Reserve:

This Wildlife Management Reserve is a nationally important wildlife reserve with hides for bird watching. You can wander through a well developed series of flat gravel and boardwalk tracks amongst the Pauatahanui Inlet estuary salt marsh vegetation, but it can be muddy in places after rain, so wear strong waterproof shoes.

Spicer Botanical Park and Reservoirs:

The Spicer Botanical Park is an arboretum of exotic trees which is directly beside the Department of Conservation' Colonial Knob reserve, and is one of Porirua City's hidden gems.

Taua Tapu Track:

The Taua Tapu Track between Airlie Road and Plimmerton has extensive views out to Mana Island, Porirua harbours and the surrounding countryside, and on a fine calm day is an ideal short walk with a moderate challenge.

Whitby Walkway:

For over 30 years, this popular wide sealed pathway which travels through parkland settings and areas of native bush, alongside a stream, and around the rear of properties and Discovery School has been a favourite for Whitby residents.

Whitireia Park:

If you are looking for a flat coastal pathway alongside the harbour, then the Whitireia Park walk is an easy challenge which takes about 1.5 hours to traverse the 4.2 kilometres each way.