This is approximately one hour’s walk. It has steep steps and some narrow
footpaths. It includes delightful stretches of bush and is great for lunch-time
fitness. It is NOT suitable for wheelchairs or some family groups due to steps,
tricky road crossings and narrowness of footpaths.
Start at John Plimmer statue of man and dog, opposite Old Bank Building at south end of Lambton Quay.
Up Plimmer steps, enjoy attractive fountain, turn right up next flight of steps.
Cross Boulcott Street at pedestrian refuge at the corner.
Along narrow footpath under The Terrace, over motorway.
Take unmarked ‘offroad’ path left into Kelburn Park (not suitable after
dark), enjoy bush and peace.
Note right turn & path B leads to Salamanca Road near Cable Car
Continue to Club Kelburn (squash club) - route coincides with City to Sea walkway for a stretch.
Optional side excursion – turn left down steep steps to view Kumutoto Stream’s waterfall – almost the only part of this watercourse that is un-piped and pleasant park over motorway tunnel with unmarked access from The Terrace (between 226 & 230).
Continue up Squash Club driveway.
Cross Salamanca Road with great care and up into Campus beside red hand rails, turning right to emerge outside the imposing Hunter building.
Walk through the Student Union building, turning left onto a narrow path downhill.
Turn right into Mount Street Cemetery, walking up to the viewpoint looking across the city to the sea.
Enjoy meditation on higher things in this jewel of green space – and then head south and downhill through the Cemetery, emerging onto Waiteata Road, turning right and emerging onto Salamanca Road.
Cross The Terrace at Salamanca intersection – should we have to cross 2 roads rather than 1?
Downhill along Terrace north to Allenby Tce steps .
Descend Allenby Tce steps and emerge on Boulcott St by St George hostel.
Optional extra to turn right at Percival Gardens, left through the gardens and left again to emerge at O’Reily Avenue .
Another optional extra up Church Street steps to The Terrace, cross, take unmarked route between 214 & 216 and turn right into car park, down steps near motorway and return to top part of Boulcott Street by Kumutoto place.
Along Boulcott Street to Plimmer Steps (crossing at ped. refuge at corner).
Through Grand Arcade entrance at 80 Boulcott St and down lifts to level 2
Turn left through shopping arcade to AA centre and emerge at lower part of Plimmer Steps.
Well done!
See also Short Cuts to Victoria University (183K PDF file)
Return to Wellington Region site