Newfoundland Club - Wellington Branch

Newf on the Hoof

The "World famous in Wellington" Newf on the Hoof is an informal gathering of newf lovers and their dogs for a walk or swim (or both!). Walks are usually suitable for the oldies too (two and four legged)!

We try to have one on the first Sunday of each month, at 10.30am - check the Calendar for each month's venue. We are currently building up a list of regular venues with information about each.

Walks are weather-dependant. If one month is rained off we will just roll over until the next month. If you are unsure whether a Newf on the Hoof will proceed, contact a Committee member.

Anybody can suggest a Newf on the Hoof. If you have a favourite spot that you think would be a good addition to our list, please contact a Committee member and let us know.

Note: during the summer months there is a risk of toxic algae in local rivers if there hasn't been much rain. This is highly poisonous to both dogs and people, so please don't take any chances. Check the Greater Wellington website for more information.

Check the calendar for dates and locations.

Venues

Here is some information about some of the venues where we hold Newf on the Hoof walks, so you can decide if a particular walk is suitable for you and your dog.

Botanic Garden

Address: Tinakori Road
Wellington
Map
Difficulty: Everything from very easy to steep hills. Mostly fairly easy, paved paths. Dogs must be kept on leash and cleaned up after.
Amenities: Toilets, Picnic café, pushchair-friendly tracks, parking available. Café has outdoor seating and don't mind well-behaved dogs. There's also some shade under nearby trees.
Wellington Botanic Garden
Directions:
  • South on SH1 into Wellington city
  • Take Hawkestone Street exit
  • Turn right onto the bridge, then left onto Tinakori Road
  • Follow the road up, go straight ahead through two sets of traffic lights
  • Botanic Garden entrance is approximately 500 metres past the second lights, on your left
  • Hairpin turn and up steep drive to Lady Norwood Rose Garden, where you can park (parking is also available on Tinakori Road and Glenmore Street)
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Cambourne Walkway

Address: Mana Esplanade
Mana
Map
Difficulty: This easy walk follows the track alongside the Pauatahanui inlet to Grays Road. The first 5 minutes' walk has a restriction of no dogs between 9.00am - 7.00pm from 1 November and 31 March but we can skirt the beach area if required. Almost always there are very few people along here, so not a problem. This first bit is on sand and has plenty of space.

The walk "proper" starts a few minutes later and runs behind some boat houses then follows the meandering track to Grays Road. Most of the walk is on a track wide enough for dog and handler. The walk is about 30 minutes each way, returning the same way. The water is very shallow and Newfie friendly, with many places for them to have a dip. It is a popular walking area for people and their dogs. Some private property borders the walk. Dogs on lead required and let off under supervision at swimming spots.

This is a very easy walk on a good surface, very sheltered and no traffic! Short walk dogs can just go as far as they want and return or you can do the walk one way and can be picked up from Grays road end if you have a helper - or just return to car park area.
Amenities: There are toilets at both ends and both ends have areas useful for a rest and a cuppa.
Directions:
  • If coming from the south, immediately after coming off the Paremata bridge go into the small right turning bay and turn into the carpark area next to the bridge.
  • If coming from the North, travel along Mana esplanade, pass the BP on your right, continue through the lights, and turn left into the cark area just before getting onto the Paremata bridge.
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Oriental Parade

Address: Meet by Yacht Club
(between Chaffers Marina & Freyberg Pool)
Oriental Parade
Wellington
Map
Difficulty: Great walk and socialisation for the newfs! Loads of people, kids, dogs & other paraphernalia!!

Approximately 4km flat walking with a nice restful stop at Fishermans Table to enjoy an ice-cream from the dairy or a nice gelato ice-cream or coffee from Kaffee Eis!
Amenities: Public toilets. Various cafés. Drinking fountains & taps - including a dog drinking fountain near the main steps down to the main Oriental Bay beach.
Directions:
  • Head South into Wellington City and take the Aotea Quay off-ramp.
  • Follow the waterfront through Customhouse Quay, Jervios Quay and onto Cable Street.
  • Stay in the left lane and continue past Te Papa and up to Chaffers New World.
  • Turn left onto Oriental Parade just past New World.
  • Park anywhere nearby - there may also be a few parks in Herd St, which is left again a few metres along Oriental Parade. Weekend parking is free, but time limits still apply.
    Note:  there's a lot of coupon parking in the area - I think they're also free at weekends but check for any time limits. Avoid residents' parking zones.
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Otari-Wilton's Bush

Address: Wilton Road
Wellington
Map
Difficulty: Various tracks ranging from 5 minutes to 40 minutes. Some easy walks, several with steep parts and some steps. Dogs must be kept on leash and cleaned up after.
Amenities: Troup picnic area on the 'circular walk' has toilets, tap water, picnic tables and coin-operated barbecues available. Also North picnic area off Wilton's Bush Road.
Otari-Wilton's Bush - Walkways
Directions: Wilton Road between Gloucester and Warwick Streets. The main carpark is at the Wilton Road entrance. Parking is also available off Churchill Drive.

  • South on SH1 into Wellington city
  • Take Hawkestone Street exit
  • Turn right onto the bridge, then left onto Tinakori Road
  • Follow the road up, go straight ahead through the traffic lights, past Botanic Garden and continue up Glenmore Street
  • Keep following the road. When you come to a small roundabout, go left towards Karori.
  • Continue following the road through the Karori Tunnel and right along a flat stretch towards Karori.
  • Just around a sweeping left-hand bend is a major right turn into Curtis Street. Turn right and follow the road (if you start heading uphill again before you've turned right, you've missed it).
  • Keep following Curtis Street, past Ian Galloway Park. It will become Wilton Road.
  • Otari entrance is on the left, a little before the Churchill Drive intersection.
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Petone Beach

Address: Meet at Petone Wharf
Cnr The Esplanade & Victoria Street
Petone
Map
Difficulty: Nice leisurely stroll along the waterfront.

Approximately 5km to the Jessie Street playground & back (far end by Waione Street) for the keen walkers.

Swimming for those who are up to it! Make sure you have the towels on hand just in case we have any runaways!

BYO picnic / tea / coffee - not many places to stop and get a bite. If the coffee cart isn't there, Mr Whippy might be the only option on the day!
Amenities: Public toilets at Korokoro Gateway Reserve, western end. Toilets also about one-third along The Esplanade, by BBQ area as well as at Hikoikoi Reserve at the far eastern end.

There's often an ice-cream van there at weekends, as well as a coffee cart. Kiosk may be open at the weekend too, for drinks and snacks. Loads of cafés etc on Jackson Street, but dogs not permitted.

Note:  Dogs must be on leash at all times on the promenade, and are not permitted on the beach during the day in summer months (9am - 8pm from 1 November to 31 March).

Off-leash exercise areas are at the western end, from the Wharf towards the Hutt Road (Korokoro Gateway Reserve) and at the eastern end, from the Kiosk (Hikoikoi Reserve).

Western end is nicest beach, great for that water training!
Directions: I suspect everybody knows how to get to Petone Esplanade, but just in case we have any out-of-town visitors, here goes!

  • From the south (town or Ngauranga), head north on SH2.
  • Take Petone off-ramp over bridge.
  • Go straight along The Esplanade about 800 metres.
  • Car park next to Wharf (opposite Valentines Restaurant) and also in side streets. More parking further back (west) in Korokoro Gateway Reserve (there's a right-turning lane as soon as you come out of the roundabout if you're travelling from the south).

  • There are many ways to approach Petone from the north, but I think this is probably the simplest ...

  • From the north, head south on SH2.
  • Take the Korokoro exit at the traffic lights and over the bridge.
  • This is a long-winded route as you can't turn right from Koro Cres straight into Hutt Road! So go left when you get to the intersection with Hutt Rd, then about 15 metres or so along take the first right into Petone Ave.
  • After another 15 metres or so veer right again into Gear Street.
  • Go right at the end of the street, into Jackson Street (towards Petone Railway station).
  • Left at the roundabout onto Hutt Rd.
  • Hard left at the big roundabout and onto The Esplanade.
  • Go straight along The Esplanade about 1km to Wharf (or use the right-turning lane straight off the roundabout to park in the Korokoro Gateway area if you don't mind a short walk to the wharf).
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Red Rocks Reserve

Address: Owhiro Bay Parade
Owhiro Bay
Wellington
Map
Difficulty: This flat walk follows the rocky shore around the coastline. You could go for many hours if you really wanted to. Red Rocks is a good 45 minutes walk one way but there's plenty of places to stop and return before that.

The surface is a mixture of dirt and sand with the odd patch of stones. You need good walking shoes. It is a good surface for dogs, but a very long walk could mean sore feet - common sense really.

There may be the odd place for dogs to get their feet wet but it is not ideal for swimming - too rough.

There can be some great views of the Kaikoura mountains on a nice day. Popular with walkers (+ dogs) and people on bikes.
Amenities: None.
Directions:
  • Most straightforward route is probably to head into Wellington City and take the Aotea Quay off-ramp.
  • Follow the waterfront around past Queens Wharf and Frank Kitts Park. You need to be in the right-hand lane by the time you get to the left-hand bend opposite the Michael Fowler Centre.
  • Turn right at the lights into Taranaki Street (by the BP).
  • Follow Taranaki Street right up, past Vivian Street. Turn right into Webb Street (just past major Buckle / Arthur Street intersection).
  • Go to the end of Webb Street and turn left into Willis Street.
  • At the top of Willis street, take Brooklyn Road (heading for Brooklyn). Do not deviate, and drive through Brooklyn shops onto Ohiro Road.
  • Ohiro Road will become Happy Valley Road. Follow this all the way out to the coast.
  • You will come to a T intersection. Turn right and proceed into Owhiro Bay for about 2km, until you come to the Red Rocks Reserve car park (the end of the road). Plenty of parking.
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Rimutaka Rail Trail

Address: Meet by the white fence
Incline Road
Rimutaka
(north of Upper Hutt)
Map
Difficulty: The track is wide, level, even (no potholes) and covered in gravel or hard dirt. There is a very gradual slope, and no steep bits. Trail is good for biking and/or prams. A good set of walking shoes is all the footwear you'll need. There are shady bits and sunny bits (if we're lucky). There are a lot of picnic tables so bring a lunch and stay a while!

  • Dogs are allowed off lead but must be on a lead in any tunnels.
  • There are no convenient rubbish bins, so be prepared to carry out what you or your Newf may bring in.
  • There is no water for dogs readily available until 50 minutes into the walk (there's a possibility of toxic algae during the summer months too) so bring dog water just in case.

It takes five hours to reach the other end, but there are many natural turning / resting points, as follows:

  • 10 minutes walk: shooting range (skittish dogs beware!)
  • 20 minutes walk: picnic table / bench
  • 40 minutes walk: picnic table /bench
  • 50 minutes walk: picnic table / bench, accessible shallow stream for dogs to drink or play (check for algae during the summer months)
  • 1 hour 20 minute walk: tunnel
  • 1 hour 30 minutes: picnic table / bench, truss bridge
  • 1 hour 45 minutes: another bridge

If you plan on going as far as the tunnel you may want to bring a torch but it is not necessary.

More information is available on the Department of Conservation website.
Amenities: There are toilets at the beginning of the track but no running water so bring your hand sanitiser!

Picnic tables periodically along the track.
Directions:
  • Take SH2 North approximately 19 km north of interchange with SH58, or 10 km north of first set of traffic signals in Upper Hutt. Look for a brown sign indicating right hand turn in 400 metres.
  • Make right turn then immediate left onto Incline Road. It will be paved for a short way then turn into a gravel road.
  • You will pass a Pakuratahi Forest sign and a race way for little cars.
  • Follow the road until you reach the white gates (you can't go any farther).
  • You will find parking to your right and your left.
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Tunnel Gully, Te Marua

Address: Plateau Road
Te Marua
Upper Hutt
Map
Difficulty: There's a number of bush walks available from here. A pleasant short walk - mostly flat of around 15 minutes or so can be taken from the car park area. The bush track is wide enough for a dog and handler.

A longer bush walk of around 45 minutes can be had for the more adventurous up Tane's track - which follows the side of the mountain to the top area car park.

You need good walking shoes. It is a good surface for dogs, but Tane's track is a bit of a climb at the beginning, and can get a little narrow at times. There are a couple of places where dogs can get their feet wet in streams.

You can also take a flat road walk through the old tunnel - nice and spooky for kids - and a torch is very handy.

A beautiful spot for a picnic, with some wide grassy areas that can be used for other activities. Popular with walkers, runners (+ dog walkers).
Amenities: None.
Directions:
  • Take State Highway 2 heading North and keep going past Upper Hutt.
  • A kilometre or three past the big Caltex service station at Maoribank, and just before the Te Marua Golf Course, take the right-hand turn to Plateau Road and Maymorn (there's a Dairy on the right).
  • Just past the playgound on the left, turn left up Plateau Road and keep going.
  • You will leave a leafy suburban road behind after you have passed another small play area on your left. At this point, the road is narrow and winds down into the valley.
  • You will cross a small bridge into the Tunnel Gully Recreation area. Keep going straight.
  • There's a car park under trees at the end (by the toilets).
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Wellington Waterfront

Address: Meet at TSB Bank Arena - north corner, Frank Kitts Park
Jervois Quay
Wellington
Map
Difficulty: Nice casual meander along the waterfront past Frank Kitts Park, Circa Theatre, Te Papa and around Chaffers Marina.

Go for as long or as little as you like! Great walk for the more "mature" newfs to join us or just have a seat at Macs Brewery and enjoy the scenery & coffee and wait for us to join you!!
Amenities: Public toilets. Cafés. A short walk into the CBD (note that dogs are not permitted in the CBD between 8am and 6pm, 7 days a week).
Directions:
  • Head South into Wellington City and take the Aotea Quay off-ramp.
  • Follow the waterfront through Customhouse Quay and onto Jervios Quay.
  • Stay in the left lane to park at the Events Centre on Queen's Wharf.
  • Entrance to Events Centre carpark is immediately left though the traffic lights at Hunter Street intersection. There's also a Wilsons carpark further along, under Frank Kitts Park (just before big City to Sea footbridge).
  • For alternative parking carry on along the quay, get into the right-hand lane by the time you get to the left-hand bend opposite the Michael Fowler Centre.
  • Turn right at the lights into Taranaki Street (by the BP).
  • Turn right again into Wakefield Street (not hard right or you'll end up back on the quays.
  • James Smiths parking building is just past the Duxton Hotel on your left, Michael Fowler Centre carpark is on your right. James Smiths is max $6 for weekend parking, MFC is free but there's a 2-hour time limit on Saturdays.
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