Last Updated: 28th Oct 2025
Wellington City to Sea & Southern Walkway Loop
Two signature routes, one great loop
City to Sea Walkway, Southern Walkway
Last Updated: 28th Oct 2025
Grunt Factor: 38 ?
Gnarl Factor: 21 ?
30.0km
1465m
1460m
Last Updated: 28th Oct 2025
City to Sea Walkway, Southern Walkway
Last Updated: 28th Oct 2025
Grunt Factor: 38 ?
Gnarl Factor: 21 ?
30.0km
1465m
1460m
Urban fringe
Loop
Very hilly
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Plantation/exotic forest
Beach
Coastal
Open ridges/tops
Other
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Easy Single Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.70%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.70%
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6:00
Slow
4:00
Moderate
3
Fast
This is a great trail run that links two of Wellington’s signature routes, the City to Sea Walkway and the Southern Walkway, into a complete coast-to-coast loop of the city.
Begin at Bolton Street Cemetery (lower gate on Bowen St). Climb through the cemetery into the Wellington Botanic Garden, staying on the main sealed path past the Lady Norwood Rose Garden toward the Cable Car top station. Pick up City to Sea Walkway markers south-west to Highbury, then continue on the signed, benched track into Polhill Reserve. Keep to City to Sea posts (ignore side trails such as Transient/Car Parts and the Brooklyn Wind Turbine spur unless planned). The route drops to Aro Valley, crosses Central Park, and trends south across Macalister Park. Skirt Berhampore Golf Course (markers guide the edge) to reach the coastal terminus at Shorland Park, Island Bay.
Turn north at Shorland Park onto the Southern Walkway. Cross the fields and climb through Melrose, threading Truby King Park. Follow posts along the zoo ridgeline, where signed, keep the Wellington Zoo fence on the left, and descend to Newtown Park. From here, the Southern Walkway climbs steadily to the Mt Victoria / Tangi Te Keo ridge. Stay with wayposts along the spine to the summit car park and lookout. Continue north on the signed route toward the city side, then take the zigzags to Oriental Bay. Turn right along the waterfront quays and finish by running up Bowen Street to re-enter Bolton Street Cemetery and close the loop.
Navigation: both walkways are consistently waymarked—confirm at each junction by locating posts labeled City to Sea or Southern Walkway. In multi-track areas (Central Park, Polhill, Mt Victoria), remain on the most-used, benched line and look ahead for the next post. Key confirmation points in order: Bolton St Cemetery → Botanic Garden/Cable Car → Highbury → Polhill → Aro Valley → Central Park → Macalister Park → Berhampore Golf Course → Shorland Park → Truby King Park → Newtown Park/Zoo fence → Mt Victoria Lookout → Oriental Bay → Bowen St.
Facilities: water/toilets at the Botanic Garden, Newtown Park, and Shorland Park.
Surfaces mix sealed paths, gravel, and clay; ridgelines between Mt Victoria and Melrose are exposed in strong winds.
Stats: approximately 29 km with ~1,200 m ascent.
Alternative start: the loop also works well from Shorland Park, Island Bay. Follow the same sequence in reverse.
Views & Lookouts -Botanic Garden terraces & Lady Norwood Rose Garden – formal plantings and easy navigation to the Cable Car precinct. -Cable Car Lookout (top station) – harbour panorama and clear City to Sea markers. -Highbury ridgeline – broad views toward Aro Valley and Te Whanganui-a-Tara. -Mt Victoria / Tangi Te Keo Lookout – 360° outlook over harbour, city, and south coast. Nature & Reserves -Polhill Reserve / Zealandia fenceline edge – regenerating native bush; likely kākā and tīeke calls near the sanctuary boundary. -Central Park – mature forest gullies and easy wayfinding through the valley floor. -Macalister Park – open ridgeline grasslands with city-to-south coast vistas. -Truby King Park (Melrose) – heritage gardens and shelter belts on the hill crest. -Berhampore Golf Course edge – distinctive open fairways guiding the City to Sea line. Coastal & Southern Terminus -Shorland Park, Island Bay – landmark pavilion, playground, and facilities; gateway to the Taputeranga Marine Reserve coastline. -Island Bay foreshore – optional 2–3 min spur to the seawall for south-coast swell views. Urban & Cultural -Bolton Street Cemetery – historic cemetery linking directly into the Botanic Garden network. -Aro Valley – classic wooden villas and cafés clustered beneath the ridgeline. -Wellington Zoo perimeter & Newtown Park – easy navigation using the zoo fence and athletics track as handrails. -Oriental Bay & Waterfront quays – flat, scenic return link beneath Mt Victoria. -Bee Hive - NZ government building Optional extras (signed spurs/nearby) -Brooklyn Wind Turbine – short detour from Polhill/Highbury for turbine close-ups and views. -Mount Alfred gun emplacements & Mt Vic WWII sites – minor side tracks near the ridge.
Facilities: water/toilets at the Botanic Garden, Newtown Park, and Shorland Park.
Limited on street parking at Bolton Street Cemetery.
2 km
6 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Well signed City to Sea markers (yellow with 'city to sea') and Southern Walkway (pink with 'Southern Walkway') along route. There are a few markers in hard to see locations so pay attention at junctions, especially when coming out of single track trails to urban roads/paths or crossing streets. If you get off route there are multiple ways to reconnect to the trail.
There is no signage from Oriental Bay back to the Bolton Street Cemetery.
The trail loops for the City to Sea and Southern Walkway connect at Shorland Park, Island Bay.
Perfect throughout.
Windproof jacket, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
There is water along the route at designated facilities, there are also areas that pass by or you can take a short detour to a store or cafe. A brilliant urban / bush interface.
Good year round. Trails can get muddy but are not bad in winter or summer.
Some muddy / slippery sections when wet, high winds on ridges, rain and exposure.
Do you have a suggestion on where to go afterwards for the best coffee / cake / breakfast / brunch / beer?
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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