A new backyard to explore: Gollan’s Valley opens to the public before Christmas

Locals and visitors to the region will soon have a new place to explore, with Greater Wellington’s Gollan’s Valley property set to open to the public by 19 December.

From walking new tracks and discovering hidden corners of the region to spending time outdoors with whānau, the opening will give people a chance to experience a remarkable part of the Wellington region that has been closed to the general public for sixty years.

At 1,366 hectares, Gollan’s Valley is a significant stretch of landscape connecting the Northern Forest and Parangarahu Lakes sections of East Harbour Regional Park. Its opening makes even more of the region’s natural spaces accessible for people to enjoy.

Greater Wellington Councillor Quentin Duthie said that “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.

“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.”

Existing farm tracks will be marked for recreational use, with signage installed. The first planned walks are a loop connecting Butterfly Creek with Gollan’s Valley, and the Coastal Tramping Track linking Burdan’s Gate with Pencarrow Head along the western ridgeline.  

The opening will be a back-country experience rather than a fully developed park. Visitors will need to be comfortable navigating rough tracks and stream crossings and be prepared for changing conditions. There will be no vehicle access or facilities such as toilets at this stage.  

Visitors can catch the Wellington Harbour Ferry to Days Bay; catch a route 83 bus from Courtenay Place, Petone or Lower Hutt central and alight at the last stop by the Bus Barns; or park at the existing Burdan’s Gate road end to walk up the road to access the Valley.

Access may be temporarily restricted during periods of high fire risk, and visitors will need to follow any closures and on-site instructions.

Lee Hunter, representing Rōpū Tiaki Taranaki Whānui, said opening Gollan’s Valley is an opportunity for more people to experience the cultural and environmental significance of the area.  

“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. Our local iwi Te Āti Awa connect it to Māui hauling the great fish from beneath the sea into Te Ao Marama for the world to witness. Opposite lies the lower jaw, Te Kauae Raro, extending from Tarakena Bay to Miramar Peninsula.

“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. Recently, we announced the arrival of the mātātā/fernbird, a rare wetland taonga now residing in the Parangarahu Lakes area.  

“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.”

Greater Wellington is continuing to work with Taranaki Whānui on future partnership arrangements and planning for Gollan’s Valley. The property’s longer-term future will be considered through the 2027–2037 Long Term Plan process, including public consultation.

For now, the opening marks an exciting new opportunity for the region’s residents to get outside, explore somewhere new, and connect with the landscapes that make Wellington unique.

Find out more about Gollan’s Valley