Wellington Falls Walk
Posted: Sun 27 Jun, 2010 1:50 pmMy family and a friend decided to walk this local walk on the 19th of June. It had been snowing on Mt Wellington 2 weeks before, but alas no snow was left lying . We accessed this walk from the Springs, and travelled southward in good sunshine. We had great views eastward toward the Tasman Peninsula, and as we swung around the southern end on Wellington, it gave us great views of the Channel area. The track followed the contours at approx the same elevation, so it was good easy going.
We reached an area on the map called the Potatoe Fields, and was amazed at the massive expanse of Dolorite boulders, both big and small. It became treacherous under foot, but with due care was negotiated. Wet weather would make it very trecherous.
We progressed towards the falls, and the track became sure under foot again. The track opened up onto some buttongrass plains, and became quite wet under foot with some very large boggy areas. The last section to the falls dropped in elevation very quickly, but was good under foot.
After 3hrs 20 mins we walked out onto a rocky lookout, and a good view of the falls. Very windy at the look out, as the wind was coming in from the S/W.
Our initial intention was to retrace our steps, but due to the Dolerite Fields, decided to take the Southern track back towards Nieka, utilising the Pipeline bike track. Very good down hill track, however when you come to the Pipeline track intersection on a sharp bend DO NOT cross the road and follow the pipeline. This leads to a VERY steep downhill descent following the pipeline for approx 750mtrs. After that you are confronted by a VERY steep ascent up to re join the bike track lasting approx 500mtrs. This took us a lot longer than anticipated, and we were loosing day light. Walked the bike track to Nieka, and got a friend to pick us up and return us toaour cars at the Springs. Great walk though.
We reached an area on the map called the Potatoe Fields, and was amazed at the massive expanse of Dolorite boulders, both big and small. It became treacherous under foot, but with due care was negotiated. Wet weather would make it very trecherous.
We progressed towards the falls, and the track became sure under foot again. The track opened up onto some buttongrass plains, and became quite wet under foot with some very large boggy areas. The last section to the falls dropped in elevation very quickly, but was good under foot.
After 3hrs 20 mins we walked out onto a rocky lookout, and a good view of the falls. Very windy at the look out, as the wind was coming in from the S/W.
Our initial intention was to retrace our steps, but due to the Dolerite Fields, decided to take the Southern track back towards Nieka, utilising the Pipeline bike track. Very good down hill track, however when you come to the Pipeline track intersection on a sharp bend DO NOT cross the road and follow the pipeline. This leads to a VERY steep downhill descent following the pipeline for approx 750mtrs. After that you are confronted by a VERY steep ascent up to re join the bike track lasting approx 500mtrs. This took us a lot longer than anticipated, and we were loosing day light. Walked the bike track to Nieka, and got a friend to pick us up and return us toaour cars at the Springs. Great walk though.
