Let’s Go For a Walk. OFF BEATEN TRACK IN KAIWARRA

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 86, 5 January 1935, Page 10

Let’s Go For a Walk. OFF BEATEN TRACK IN KAIWARRA

Miniature Gorge Explored

A. walk worth taking is that'along the Kaiwarra Gorge. The train passenger who opens his window after passing the five sooty tunnels north of Thorndon and looks back a little will see the entrance to a tall narrow gorge, with many high trees rising almost parallel to the sides of the ravine, so steep is it in parts. Near the Wadestown tram terminus a track leads down past the portal of No. 5 tunnel, down to the stream, where there are some small grassy flats and a little bathing pool for-child-ren Here one need not wait long before a train, with its heavy engine resting, swoops down the long curve from Ngaio to the tunnel .mouth, or some two-engined goods train pants up the grade. ' , , • „ Across . the stream by steppingstones or plank bridge, you take the new track up the hill and then bear to the right, through the trees a hundred feet ilbove the stream and along the gorge. This is admittedly a gorge in miniature, but I enjoy it as much as any I have seen in New Zealand. Those' interested in native trees and plants will find much to interest them by this creek. The track descends to the water, where there is a delightful spring trickling down the hillside, and more grassy flats and pools. The stream is large enough to carry some small trout for (authorised) anglers, and certainly some heavyweight eels. The track may be retraced toward Ngaio. or another taken up the hill to the Gorge Road, thence down the sealed road to Kaiwarra. Across the way are views of Wadestown and the Manawatu railway popping in and out of tunnels. At the lower .part of .the stream is the old defence powder magazine.’ Oil stores now* occupy the ground lower down by. the former site of the “old swimming liole.” Then the street itself becomes a gorge through the' village houses of old Kaiwarra. Before taking bus or foot to Thorndon and town, look at the old homes on the Hutt Road at Kaiwarra. Here is a part of very old Wellington, beautifully tree-set and dignified, gazing at the rush of modern traffic, whose eyes are‘set too straight ahead to notice what it passes, too intent on the possible presence of the modern speed cop.—W.C-

The environs of Wellington offer . rich possibilities for pleasant •halfday ' rambles. Readers are incited to contribute descriptions .of favourite walks. These ivlll be pub lished, accompanied ■ whenevea-: : practicable by “Dominion" photographs. Contributions, which , will be paid for at space rates, must uof exceed 400 words. -