Karehana Bay Scenic Reserve (formerly known as Toups Road Reserve) overlooks Karehana Bay and Plimmerton and is a great place to walk, relax and enjoy views of Karehana Bay and beyond. It is the second largest piece of publicly owned bush in Porirua City and has high ecological, recreational and scenic values.
There are numerous points of access to the Reserve although none are particularly well marked. The most commonly used access-way is off the end of Reserve Road.
Go bush on the Raroa Walkway: head to Pukerua Bay on State Highway 1, turn left at Wairaka Road, then left onto Raroa Place. The start of the walk is at the end of the road. The track is a gentle climb through a small forest of Kohekohe trees, emerging to a spectacular view of Kapiti Island and the coast. (0.8km return, 30 minutes).
Come and do the Pūkeko Stomp at Taupō Swamp. It is is one of the largest and most important remaining flax swamps in the Wellington region and has easy walking and cycling paths. It is between the seaside villages of Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay on State Highway 1. Parking is available.
Can you conquer the Knob? Walk, run or bike in Colonial Knob Scenic Reserve and adjacent Porirua Scenic Reserve, but don't get so puffed you fail to notice the most significant area of native forest left in the Tawa–Porirua Basin. Colonial Knob has a rare example of lowland forest supporting five species of podocarp, coastal kohekohe and tawa. The view from the summit of Colonial Knob is spectacular, extending from the Kaikoura Range in the South Island to Mount Taranaki, well worth the hike. The reserve is located on the hills west of Tawa and Linden. Access is via Broken Hill Road
Lovely flat boardwalks around Pāuatahanui Inlet make it an excellent destination for a family outing. It's the largest relatively unmodified estuarine area in the southern North Island. It has viewing hides, tracks, a visitor centre and a picnic area. Close by is the historic Pāuatahanui Burial ground with it's fabulous rose garden. Roses are best viewed November-March. Access is from State Highway 58.
