[Heather]

Kapiti Coast bush walks – Mt Wainui and Hemi Matenga

Mt Wainui

There are more peaks in Wellington than many might realise. (I didn’t know we had Mt Albert until I ran the WUU2K.)

So, after the likes of Mt Vic (196m) Mt Kau Kau (445m) and Rangituhu (468m) – to name just three, there is a less talked about peak with what might have the best view of the Kapiti Coast. Mt Wainui (723m) just North of Wellington at Whareroa Farm (Paekākāriki)

Reference: DOCs Whareroa Farm tracks map (although Mt Wainui is not on this map as it is outside of the Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve).

Start from Whareroa Farm car park. The main entrance is via the Queen Elizabeth Park off-ramp
about 3.5 km north of Paekākāriki on SH1. Head through a pedestrian gate, then along the gravel drive from the car park. Take a left at the sign “All Tracks”.

Head along the Farm Race shared track, passing the small Whareroa orchard on your left. Just past the Hub (an information caravan and toilets are here), take a right up the Intake Valley track. This leads to the Catchment View Track. Continue the climb. When you reach Campbell’s Mill Road, turn right and head along this 4wd track until you get to an old (and small) stockyard. Climb over the stile and head up the 4wd track. The orange triangle markers for the summit start here with the first on a tree stump on the left a few metres up from the stile. After a short steep climb, the dirt road ends at an open disused gate and grassy patch. Veer off into the bush through the gap in the farm fence on your left. From here, simply follow the OT markers up through the bush until you reach the trig on Mt Wainui.

To return to the car park, either do the reverse, or do a bit of a loop by returning via the Rocks lookout. Head back down to the stockyard, then start back along Campbell’s Mill Road. Around halfway between the stockyard and the top of the Catchment View Track that you came up, head down the spur to the Rocks lookout. (The Rocks lookout is clearly shown on the Whareroa Farm tracks map.) This turn off is not marked but look for a trail through a grassy section heading off down among pine trees. This spur starts off with a particularly gentle gradient and leads to a farm fence and padlocked gate. Blue marker poles will now lead you to the Rocks lookout and Ti Kouka/Rocks track ending back at the Hub. From the Hub, head left back along the Farm Race track to the car park.

The ascent and descent are both around 1000m, so it is a decent enough leg workout and if you go on a sunny day, you won’t be disappointed with the magnificent views from Mt Wainui.

Allow half a day.

Hemi Matenga reserve loop

If you are after something less strenuous and less exposed in beautiful bush with birdsong, there are three tracks in Hemi Matenga Scenic Reserve, a little further North in Waikanae. This reserve has one of the largest remaining areas of kohekohe forest in the country. It is also easily accessible from Waikanae railway station.

If you have good fitness, give all three trails (Kohekohe Walk and Parata and Te Au Tracks) a go, as they join up with each other. Starting at Kakariki Grove, Waikanae, and ending at Huia Street, with a pleasant urban walk looping back to the car or the railway station. Or do the loop the opposite direction. For a slightly shorter loop, just do the Parata and Te Au tracks starting from Tui Street. The Parata section from Tui Street is not as steep as the Te Au end where it meets Huia Street.

Allow half a day for this three-track loop.

[Author]

Posts