Wellington Regional Trails

Eastern Walkway

Walking time

1 hr 30 min

Length

2.6km

Uses

Walking/Running

Type

Single track

Walking difficulty

Easy: Walking track

Profile

111m highest point

Dogs

Yes (on lead)

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About the trail

The Eastern Walkway extends along the southern end of Miramar Peninsula from Tarakena Bay to Pass of Branda. The 2.5km track takes about 1.5 hours to complete. The surface is mainly gravel, and much of the track is exposed to the elements, so bring sturdy shoes and warm clothing.

Along the walk, there are signposted Māori historic sites, picnic spots, and regenerating native bush. The Atatürk Memorial at the southern end of the peninsular offers spectacular views of Wellington Harbour. Named after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the divisional commander at Gallipoli and, latterly, the first president of modern Turkey, it commemorates all fallen soldiers at Gallipoli in 1915.

Over -the-shoulder shot of a person with dreads looking our at the eastern harbour hills from the Eastern Walkway.

You can start the Eastern Walkway from either the trailhead at Tarakena Bay or Pass of Branda.

Eastern Walkway Loop

From Tarakena Bay, follow the Eastern Walkway up to Pass of Branda. Once you get there, head south and follow the coastline back along Breaker Bay Road to Tarakena Bay. Enjoy the stroll along the flat pathway and take in the seaside views.

This loop is especially handy if you park at Tarakena Bay so that you can loop back to your vehicle.

Walk to Point Dorset

Allow an extra hour to discover World War II gun batteries and observation posts with an additional walk to Point Dorset from Pass of Branda. You will see historic Māori sites on Oruaiti Reserve and spectacular views of Wellington Harbour. There is information on the track about the geological formations and the history of the Miramar Peninsula. There are seats and picnic spots along the route.

Please don’t climb or enter the observation posts as they are unsafe and near collapse. The track is steep in places and very exposed.

A group of people on the Eastern Walkway, looking at Wellington’s South Coast as the Interislander ferry sails by.