Hawkins Hill – Red Rocks Loop

This is one of my favourite and most varied walks with great views up on the hills and equally great coastal scenery.

There are plenty of variations of the route but I usually take the Tip Track, which starts on Happy Valley Road and is about a 10-minute drive from Lyall Bay.

The track starts off steeply but the gradient decreases somewhat after about 10 minutes and from here it is a steady slog up to Hawkins Hill that takes me about an hour. Hawkins Hill at 495m is the highest point on the hills to the South of Wellington and has terrific views of the city and the South Island. Wellington is a breezy place at the best of times and Hawkins Hills exposed position overlooking the coast means that it is often ferociously windy which can make it a real challenge to actually make it up to the radar station situated on the summit. 

On the next section I initially retrace the same route but after about 10 minutes there is a junction where I pick up a track (signposted) which heads of to Red Rocks, which is situated on the South Coast. This part of the walk winds its way over the hills before dropping steeply down to the coast. The rocks here are indeed red but the areas main claim to fame is the Seal colony, which is situated there. At this point it is usually time for a brew up and some Seal spotting. From here it is a case of following the coast back before eventually arriving back at Happy Valley and then off to find the nearest café. Depending on how much Seal spotting you do the whole walk should take 3 to 4 hours.

 Trig point on top of Hawkins Hill.

 Looking toward Makara Wind Farm.

Mount Tapuaenuku (I think)

 The number of Seals present depends on the time of the year but they are at there most numerous over the winter months.

 They might look cute but they can move pretty fast and bite!

 I always give the Seals plenty of space and used a zoom to take pictures.

A Ferry heading off to the South Island.

This part of the coast is pretty rugged.