We walked the first part of the track with Lois and Rowan through Tresillic Park. When we reached the steps climbing up and over the hill, Rowan and Lois turned left, we went up!
The track dropped down through pine forest until we caught our first sites of Wellington - the stadium is the first thing you spot on the harbour which isn't the most beautiful of views but the further South you move, the better the views get.
We walked into the city where we met Kevin and Ollie for coffee and to take shelter from the rainy weather that had followed us from the Tararuas into Wellington.
We hung around until we really thought we'd better get a move on and finish the last of the North island track, so Kevin, Ollie, Renee, Luke and I made our way to the end. Unfortunately, Robert and Anna (slovaks) who are the other two people I've hiked with a fair bit on the North island had to go back home due to work opportunities so we didn't get to finish with them- they did it a few days before. Nonetheless, it was nice to have most of the team together!
The track was quite hilly, as is most of the track we walk, but it was bike track so was fairly straight forward walking.
We did a little detour to one of the filming locations of Lord of the Rings where we posed the famous picture, as you do. (Posted the picture on Facebook- knew Ellie would love it - she commented straight away!)
About a km away from the end of the track, you walk down a country road towards the sea. The waves were crashing just like they do in a little seaside town in Cornwall and to the right, there was a little sign that read 'Honey Wine, Free Tasting.' We went into the brewing room and tried some very stingy tasters of their wine - it was disgusting!! I was very glad she poured so little into the glass actually!
The track ends in a park in Island Bay. It's not the farthest north on the island you can go but it is conveniently positioned near a bus stop so you can get back into the city for the ferry!
We found the stone marking the end of the North Island Te Araroa Trail and touched it with both hands. WE WERE DONE!
Over half way, 1702km completed and a whole island travelled. I felt amazing- if I think back to when Luke and I were on the bus up to the Cape, I'm not sure either of us thought we'd make it this far... and now we have the beastly calf muscles to prove we did!
We took our pictures and sat around for a bit before catching the bus back into town and enjoying a nice cold gin and tonic!!
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