New Wellington walking tracks open by Christmas

New back-country walking tracks are set to open on a now publicly owned former farm in Eastbourne.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council said on Tuesday that existing farm tracks at the former Gollan's Valley Station would be marked for recreational use and open to the public by December 19. Currently, the 1366 hectares of land are not open to the public.

The first planned walks were a 6km, easy-moderate walk connecting Butterfly Creek with Gollan's Valley and the 7km Coastal Tramping Track, which runs from Burdan's Gate to Pencarrow Head along the western ridgeline.

Papers presented to a council meeting last week said it could cost up to $15,000 to set up the tracks and $9000 a year to maintain them. They also showed two more proposed routes: from Gollan's Valley to Lake Kohangatera and to Pencarrow Head via Hornes Ridge.

However, the tracks would be a back-country experience and trampers would need to navigate rough terrain and stream crossings. There would be no toilets available and the tracks could be temporarily restricted during high fire risk season.

"Opening Gollan's Valley means more people can discover this special landscape, whether for a weekend walk, bird photography or time in nature – this is a real win for people across the Wellington region," said regional councillor Quentin Duthie.

"We're starting with low-cost practical improvements that allow people to experience the valley while taking care of the place and keeping options open for its future."

Backed by the estate of renowned Wellington mountaineer John Nankervis, the council spent $9 million to buy Gollan's Valley last year.

It effectively placed the entire east coast of the Wellington Harbour from Wainuiomata saddle to Pencarrow in public ownership, and connected the Northern Forest and Parangarahu Lakes regional parks.

Lee Hunter, the Taranaki Whānui representative on the Rōpū Tiaki co-governance group on managing the Parangarahu Lakes Area, said more people would be able to experience the area's cultural and environmental significance.

"The ridgeline being opened has significant meaning to Taranaki Whānui. Its ancient name is Te Kauae runga o te Upoko o te Ika a Māui, or the Upper Jaw of the fish of Māui," he said. "Gollan's stream flows into Parangarahu Lakes, which are wāhi tapu/sacred sites for us as an iwi and available for our wider community to visit these pristine areas.

"We have a responsibility to care for this whenua and its taonga, so they remain healthy and thriving for our mokopuna and generations to come."

Earlier papers suggested other potential uses for the land, which was once an illegal whisky distillery, including campgrounds, a windfarm and a wastewater treatment plant.

There were two structures on the land, including the main farmhouse and a smaller two-bedroom cottage, neither of which will be open.