Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024

Day 10-Mount Victoria, Wellington- 4/20/2024

 Mount Victoria Lookout (also known as Tangi Te Keo or Matairangi is a must-visit panoramic viewpoint atop a 196–197m hill just east of central Wellington.  A taxi dropped us off at the Byrd Memorial on top of the hill.  The Byrd Memorial symbolizes the spirit of exploration and the importance of international collaboration in Antarctica, as emphasized by the Antarctic Treaty. The memorial is located in Wellington, New Zealand, which serves as a gateway for many Antarctic expeditions.

The Byrd Memorial sits just below the main viewpoint, with a structure resembles an angular, polar‑tent‑style prism, a creative nod to Byrd’s Antarctic expeditions. 

Admiral Byrd was a pioneering American naval officer and polar explorer. He’s best known for: Flying over the South Pole in 1929 (a global first), Using Wellington and Dunedin as launch points for several Antarctic missions., and his connection to New Zealand was strong: both logistically (as a staging post) and symbolically. The 1962 memorial at Mount Victoria honors his spirit of exploration, scientific discovery, and human endurance in extreme environments.

In the front features a sculpted bust of Byrd, set into a triangular recess, and the sides are clad in vivid blue mosaic tiles.

Byrd led multiple Antarctic expeditions in the early 20th century, significantly advancing knowledge of the continent and he was instrumental in establishing the United States' presence in Antarctica. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959 and effective from 1961, establishes Antarctica as a zone for peaceful scientific research. It prohibits military activity and mineral mining, promoting international cooperation in scientific endeavors.

We are now headed to the Lookout, below is the main car par area that is slightly uphill.

We are now at the Lookout area and below is the Byrd Memorial with the pointy triangle in Blue.

Beautiful view from the lookout.

View of Wellington Harbor

Time Cannon, Mt. Victoria, commissioned in 1877 and out of use in 1900.

The bronze cannon, below the steps that lead to the Mt Victoria lookout in Wellington, was used to fire the noon signal in the years between 1877 and 1900.

WELLINGTON-ARTILLERY VOLUNTEER CORPS

In 1877, when the City Council couldn't find contractors willing to take on the job of hauling the 24-pounder, solid bronze, muzzle-loader to the top of Mt Victoria, D Battery WAVC came to the rescue. Then, for the next 23 years a member of the Corps went up the hill to fire the gun at noon each day.

On the right the long road you see is the runway for the Airport of Wellington.

When you're standing at the Mount Victoria Lookout and looking out toward Wellington Airport and beyond, the distant mountains you see across the Cook Strait are the Kaikōura Ranges, located in the northeastern South Island of New Zealand.

I was told that tonight the restaurant is going to be very busy.

The view of Wellington Harbor (Te Whanganui-a-Tara) from Mount Victoria Lookout is one of the most iconic and expansive panoramas in New Zealand’s capital.

Wellington fault line runs through the Wellington metropolitan area, extending from the Wairarapa region to the Cook Strait with a length of about 19 miles.  The Wellington Fault is capable of producing large earthquakes, with a recurrence interval estimated between 300 to 1,000 years.  Historical records indicate significant seismic events associated with this fault, including a major earthquake in 1855

Appartments complex next to the waterfront.

The grid of moored boats you see is Clyde Quay Marina, near Oriental Bay. These are popular inner-city marinas where yachts and pleasure boats are docked in neat rows, appearing from above like a floating square or lattice.

Clyde Quay Wharf was once a working wharf, now partly converted into high-end apartments and a restaurant promenade

These colorful rectangular blocks are shipping containers stacked in the Centerport Wellington area, which is New Zealand’s third-largest port. This is where cargo ships, interisland ferries, and log carriers dock.

The lookout with magnificent view of the Wellington.

Panoramic view from the lookout.

We are now taking the lookout walkway trail.  The trail has well-marked with purple markers, is moderately steep, suitable for walkers/runners .

The Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway is one of Wellington’s most rewarding urban trails, offering a scenic climb through native bush and pine forest, panoramic views, and spots steeped in local culture and film history.

Pine trees

 A large section of the trail is dominated by tall radiata pines, creating a shaded, almost cinematic forest (used in The Lord of the Rings).

Mount Victoria serves as a notable filming location for "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, particularly for scenes depicting the Shire.

The natural landscape of Mount Victoria provides a picturesque backdrop that aligns with the film's depiction of Middle-earth.

The trail is really easy to follow and it was also very quiet.  There are barely anybody beside us.

The forest.

Beautiful walkway amongst giant pine trees.

View of the city.

We are starting our descent...

View of Oriental Bay through the forest.

We are now inside the Charles Plimmer Park.

The park is known for its lower slopes of Mount Victoria overlooking the city.

This Bench at Plimmer Park, tucked into the hillside below the main summit area, and it's part of the Lookout Walkway that winds through Charles Plimmer Park.

From this bench, you see Wellington city’s skyline rising from the hills,

This area give you a sheltered feel as it is surrounded by bush and tall pine trees, it's quieter than the summit and perfect for taking a pausing .

Wellington Warf.

View of the city of Wellington and the Oriental Bay.

We are now leaving the park.

The exit of the park.  We are now heading to the Oriental bay.

NEXT... Oriental bay, Wellington