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Khandallah, Wellington City
4.8 km
2 hours 30 minutes
230 metres
Safety notice: Conditions change; check DOC/local council/weather before walking.
If you ask any Wellingtonian to point out the city’s most recognisable skyline feature, they won’t point to a building—they’ll point to the towering silver television mast atop Mount Kaukau. Standing proud at 445 metres above sea level, Kaukau is the highest point on the harbour scarp and the undisputed crown jewel of Khandallah Park.
The Khandallah Park Loop (Mount Kaukau) is more than just a hike; it’s a local rite of passage. Whether you’re a tourist looking to get your bearings or a local training for a Great Walk, this 4.8km loop offers some of the best effort-to-reward ratios in the lower North Island. It’s a trail that perfectly captures the "Wild Wellington" spirit—one minute you’re walking through dense, prehistoric-looking native bush, and the next you’re standing on a wind-swept summit with the South Island shimmering on the horizon.
The journey usually begins at the Simla Crescent entrance, a stone’s throw from the train station, or the Woodmancote Road car park. From the moment you step onto the trail, the city noise begins to fade, replaced by the rhythmic "tui-tui-tui" of the local birdlife.
The ascent is what locals affectionately (or perhaps breathlessly) call "invigorating." You’ll start under a thick canopy of kohekohe and mahoe trees. The track here is well-formed but don’t be fooled—it wastes no time in heading upwards. You’ll encounter a mix of dirt paths and a significant number of wooden steps. This isn't a walk for buggies or wheelchairs, but for those on foot, the "stairmaster" sections are broken up by flatter stretches and perfectly placed benches where you can catch your breath and pretend you’re just deeply admiring a particularly interesting fern.
As you climb higher, the vegetation begins to change. The dense bush thins out, giving way to open grassy hills and pockets of farmland. This transition is one of the loveliest parts of the walk; the air feels cooler, and the sky opens up. You’ll likely share the path with plenty of four-legged friends, as this is a dog-friendly haven (just keep them on a lead to protect the local environment).
The final push to the summit is where you’ll really feel the "moderate" difficulty rating. The path can get a bit rocky and steep, but the sight of the massive television mast acting as a North Star guides you home. Once you reach the trig, the 360-degree views hit you all at once. It’s a sensory overload of blue water, green hills, and the distant, rugged peaks of the South Island.
Plenty of parking is available at the Woodmancote Road car park, which is near the Khandallah Summer Pool and Cafe du Parc. Additional large car parks can be found on Clark Street. Parking may be difficult in Simla Crescent, which is a key trailhead for public transport users.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Endemic New Zealand honeyeater with distinctive white throat tuft and iridescent plumage. Known for its complex and beautiful song.
Best time: Year-round
Ninox novaeseelandiae
New Zealand's only surviving native owl, the ruru is named for its haunting 'more-pork' call, often heard at night.
Best time: Year-round
Refuel after your hike at these nearby spots
300m away
A beloved local gem known for its classic Kiwi bakery items, including pies, sandwiches, and sourdough bread, alongside delicious coffee and a warm, friendly atmosphere.
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Loop
The descent is equally charming. Most hikers choose to follow the Skyline Walkway towards Sirsi Terrace. This section is dual-use, so keep an ear out for the whir of mountain bikes or e-bikes. The trail eventually ducks back into a fragrant pine forest, winding its way down past the Khandallah Summer Pool—a sight that is particularly tempting on a hot January afternoon—before closing the loop back at your starting point.
The absolute standout is, of course, the 360-degree summit view. From the trig station, you can see the entire Wellington harbour laid out like a map. You can track the Interislander ferries as they snake through the heads, spot the Beehive in the CBD, and look across to the Remutaka Ranges. On those crisp, "can’t-beat-Wellington-on-a-good-day" mornings, the Kaikoura Ranges in the South Island appear so clearly they look like they’ve been photoshopped onto the horizon.
Another highlight is the Television Mast. It might sound odd to call a piece of utility infrastructure a highlight, but up close, it’s an impressive feat of engineering. Standing 122 metres tall, it has been the city’s main broadcast tower since the 1960s and serves as a fantastic landmark for photos.
For nature lovers, the botanical transition is a must-see. The contrast between the lush, damp gully of Khandallah Park and the exposed, alpine-lite feel of the summit is stark. Keep an eye out for the ancient rimu and rata trees that have survived decades of Wellington’s infamous southerly gales.
Accessing the Khandallah Park Loop is incredibly straightforward, making it a favourite for those without a car.
Khandallah Park is a buzzing hub for native birds, thanks to the city’s incredible conservation efforts and proximity to the Zealandia ecosanctuary.
Pro Tip: Look for the Kākā near the edges of the pine forest on the descent—they love to strip the bark off trees to get to the sap.
While the Khandallah Park Loop is a great year-round option, each season brings its own flavour:
The area is steeped in history. Long before it was a recreational park, the mountain was known to Māori as Tarikākā, which translates beautifully to ‘where the parrots rested’. It was a significant site for local iwi, serving as both a lookout and a place of natural abundance.
In the colonial era, the land was cleared for farming, which explains the open, grassy nature of the summit today. Khandallah Park itself was established in the early 20th century, and today it serves as a vital link in the Northern Walkway—a massive trail network that connects the city to the northern suburbs.
For the more ambitious hikers, the summit of Kaukau is a gateway to the Skyline Walkway, a 12km ridgeline trail that takes you all the way to Makara Peak. The conservation work here is ongoing, with local volunteer groups working tirelessly to trap pests and plant native trees, ensuring the ‘resting place of the parrots’ remains true to its name for generations to come.
One of the best things about hiking in Wellington is that you’re never far from a world-class flat white.
The Khandallah Park Loop is a perfect microcosm of the Wellington lifestyle—rugged, beautiful, a little bit windy, and conveniently close to a great cafe. Whether you’re here for the workout or the world-class vistas, Mount Kaukau never fails to deliver.
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round
Todiramphus sanctus
A vibrantly coloured bird renowned for its precision diving to catch fish, also eats insects and small lizards.
Best time: Year-round
Best time: Year-round
Nestor meridionalis
Large forest parrot found in native bush. Loud and social, increasingly common in predator-controlled sanctuaries.
Best time: Year-round
400m away
A cosy, family-friendly gastropub offering modern pub fare, craft beers, wines, and spirits in a lively suburban setting, perfect for post-hike refreshments.
500m away
A popular local cafe situated conveniently near the Woodmancote Road entrance to Khandallah Park, offering a range of breakfast, lunch, and coffee options.