This appealing loop is an easy half-day option for walkers wanting to explore some of Wellington’s best-preserved forest.

Begin at Williams Park and head north along Marine Drive for 3km. Embrace the easy walking beside Wellington’s sparkling harbour – you’ll find this a wonderful contrast to the shady environs that soon follow. At York Bay bus stop, turn right into Taungata Road and right again into Kaitawa Road. Walk to the end to find Kaitawa Road Track, which traces a stream through lush bush laden with rangiora and kawakawa. 

You are now in the Northern Forest block of East Harbour Regional Park. Wander up an easy, benched path for the first 10min until you reach a pretty waterfall. From here the going steepens, and tawhai silver beech trees become more prevalent. There are some gorgeous glimpses of Wellington Harbour near the ridge.  

You will reach the Main Ridge Track within 40min. Turn left at the junction for an easy side trip to the summit of Lowry (373m), the highest point in East Harbour, about 20min each way, from where you can exit the regional park by various routes. A seat at the junction with Rata Ridge Track offers a good view, and the summit of Lowry is only a couple of minutes along Rata Ridge Track. It is referred to as Lowry Trig on some signs, but there is no evidence of a trig.  

The Northern Forest showcases some of the best old-growth forest in the region, including plentiful rātā that are spectacular in summer. The southern Parangarahu Lakes block is an ecologically significant coastal zone with seals and dotterels, and has a wild and windy feel. 

In April 2025, Greater Wellington Regional Council purchased Gollan’s Valley Station for $9 million – a 1000ha acquisition that at last joins the two blocks and which is of immense conservation value. The purchase was made possible by a $1 million gift from the estate of John Marsden Nankervis MNZM, an esteemed figure in climbing and conservation circles. Rōpū Tiaki, a co-governance group of Taranaki Whānui and the regional council, began managing the acquisition in July. 

Back on the well-maintained Main Ridge Track you’ll find boardwalks on small muddy patches. Several routes lead back down to Days Bay. Ferry Road Track is first, within two minutes from the junction with Kaitawa Road Track. Korimako Track is 20min further on and passes dozens of varieties of Aotearoa’s endemic orchids, which make a spectacle in spring and early summer. Kereru Track is no more than 15min beyond Korimako Track, and is comparatively steep and rugged. Korimako and Kereru tracks converge at Williams Park and take about 30min. 

Thumbnail-sized Williams Park, with its time-honoured café, wide lawn, duck pond, playground and sportsfield, is a favourite sunny-day spot for Wellingtonians, and the East-by-West ferry routinely plies the harbour from the Days Bay Wharf to downtown Wellington. It’s the perfect bookend to a walk in the Northern Forest and allows you to relax and appreciate the capital’s rich marine environment along the way.