Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Seton Nossiter Waterfall & Lookout
Submitted by Richele McKenzie
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 6 ?
Gnarl Factor: 16 ?
5.0km
190m
190m
231m
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Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Submitted by Richele McKenzie
Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 6 ?
Gnarl Factor: 16 ?
5.0km
190m
190m
231m
Urban
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Riverside
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Easy Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +8.5%
Average Downhill Gradient: -8.8%
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0:50
Slow
0:35
Moderate
0:25
Fast
From the carpark make your way along a small track, then down a 4-wheel drive track above Belmont Stream. You cross the stream and the trail continues through a grassy area / picnic spot. When you get to an information board, instead of following the main track to the right, go straight across a little bridge and follow a secondary track to the waterfall. This is unmarked but quite easy to follow. You will get your feet wet several times following a stream.
After admiring the waterfall, turn around and make your way back to the information board, then follow the main track uphill. Note, this is the bush track labelled "Lawson's Track", not the wider path. Continue until you get to Colchester Cres, then take the small track to the left, up to a Lookout with a bench seat (a nice spot for a breather).
Turn around at Fernwood Ct and head back downhill. When you get back down to the grassy area, follow the trail that makes it's way back to the carpark via the off-lead dog area, along the opposite side of the stream. This winds around (you'll get your feet wet again) to join up with the 4-wheel drive track.
A 30ha bush-clad reserve nestled in Belmont Gully. There is an unmarked track to a small but impressive waterfall. "Seton Nossiter Park contains the concrete abutments of the viaduct built in 1885 by the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company. At the time it was New Zealand's biggest timber viaduct. Two of the abutments can be seen in regenerating bush near the main entrance at Mark Avenue". Wellington.govt.nz
Plentry of parking available. Grenada Village bus (no 1) stops nearby.
11 km
12 minutes
Yes
No
Moderate.
You will pass a couple of overgrown tracks - avoid turning down these.
The route to the waterfall is the most worn down path.
Perfect throughout.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
No drinking water. Plenty for dogs though.
May get muddy after a lot of rain.
The side track to the waterfall is falling away in places.
The trail involves crossing small streams and you will get wet feet.
Common Ground Cafe
In the new Johnsonville library complex, 34 Moorefield Road, Johnsonville.
Great selection of cabinet food.
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Nice little trail, quite sheltered in most places. Note that there has been lots of erosion recently and you will need to wade through the stream up near the waterfall and again on the final return opposite to the main track.
May 11, 2021
Great trail, with some undulating paths through forest cover, and a few short scrambles along the stream.
Be prepared to route-find on the spur up to the waterfall and the final stretch along the river (on the opposite side to the main track) as the track has fallen away in parts, and can be overgrown. Be sure to watch out for gorse, Onga onga,l and blackberry along these bit too.
January 9, 2021
Now that was an awesome wee urban microadventure. The waterfall approach is fun, managed to keep dry feet with well placed stones. Nice slog up to the lookout, all in all an amazing short mission and highly recommend
October 9, 2020
JF
Love the bush section of this as it undulates up to Colchester Crescent - I always see and hear lots of birds. If you don't want to check out the waterfall you can keep your feet dry as all the other creek crossings have wee foot-bridges. The park is really popular with dog walkers. The track also links up well with the nearby Te Ara Papararangi track and little further away Grenada trail to make a longer run.
September 5, 2020
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