Wellington Walks: Te Kopahou Reserve Tip Track

Article | WELLINGTON WALKS: TE KOPAHOU RESERVE TIP TRACK.

I had never heard of the Te Kopahou Reserve Tip Track, which surprised me. I spend a fair amount of time exploring and walking around Wellington.

However, it sounded promising, offering views of Matiu / Somes Island, Pencarrow, Brooklyn wind turbine and Makara wind farm. Plus, it had something I was particularly keen to see – views of the South Island of New Zealand.

So, with that in mind, I cycled from town following the bays of Wellington to Happy Valley Road to give it a shot.

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The Te Kopahou track, meaning “bent or folded feather” in Te Reo Maori, starts at the entrance to the landfill on Happy Valley Road.

Admittedly that doesn’t sound like the ideal location for a walk but don’t be put off, I promise it won’t disappoint or at least I wasn’t left disappointed. 

The rough and stony track immediately increases in altitude, testing your fitness and resolve and I couldn’t help but to stop often to check the view behind me; Matiu / Somes Island, Miramar Peninsula and the Rimutaka Ranges coming into sight.

To my right the Southern Landfill is visible with seagulls hovering above and thick gorse with yellow flowers to the left.

The track winds steeply up through Te Kopahou Reserve as the Brooklyn Wind Turbine appears as a silhouette in the distance.

A number of trail runners pass me with a nod of the head, as I continue on, still admiring the views all around.

I remove a layer of clothing as I heat up and wipe beads of sweat from my forehead, despite it being winter with temperatures reaching just 15 c.

I stop and read a number of signs pointing towards Red Rocks Nature Reserve, Brooklyn Wind Turbine and Radome – my destination for today.

Radome sits proudly atop Hawkins Hill at 495 metres and stands out like a sore thumb. It looks like something from a sci-fi show and I can’t help think of alien life forms as I approach the strange looking dome. Radome is a radar station, built in 1990 and is one of a series of radar stations that control aircraft around New Zealand.

It’s a fascinating sight in what otherwise feels like pure New Zealand wilderness.

From the vantage point of Hawkins Hill I gaze out towards the South Island which lies just 22 kilometres away. Even though rain threatening clouds hover above, I can clearly see Arapawa Island – part of the Queen Charlotte Sounds with the placid looking Cook Strait dividing us.

The golden light is perfect and makes for a dramatic landscape. Makara wind turbines are stretching for as far as the eye can see – an idyllic panoramic view. There’s something special about seeing the south island from the north island.

I’m perfectly content to simply stand and gaze. 

After a rest stop, a little lunch and plenty of photographs, I decide to return back the same way I came via the Tip Track. I decide to run the trail. I’m a big fan of trail running.

I spot wild goats, which stop, stare and run off as I pass and plenty of native birdlife, tui and silver eyes, on my way down. The trip back is much easier and quicker as you would expect.

The views of Wellington and the ranges are simply stunning. Keep an eye out for loose rocks, as I nearly took a couple of tumbles on the rough track. It didn’t help that I was running with a huge DSLR camera in hand either – that’s probably not recommended…

However, I finished up the walk in one piece with an eagerness to return soon and explore some of the other available nearby tracks.

Te Kopahou Reserve Tip Track Information – Wellington, New Zealand

• 3 hours in total including lots of stops for photographs, lunch, breaks and gazing at the views.
• 8.8 kilometres in total from Happy Valley Road to Radome on Hawkins Hill and returning via the same route (4.4 kilometres each way).
• It is the perfect destination for a medium to challenging short walk, trail running or mountain biking
• Offers incredible views of Matiu / Somes Island, Pencarrow, Brooklyn wind turbine, Makara wind farm, Rimutaka Ranges, the South Island (on a clear day) and Wellington.
• Be prepared for conditions to change quickly. Take ample water and waterproof/warm clothing.
• Let somewhere know of your plans. Where you are heading and an expected return time.

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Hi, I’m Adam Constanza, freelance travel content creator living, working and supporting tourism in Timor Leste, South East Asia.

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