A few eyes rolled when I suggested hiking Mount Victoria during our recent visit to Wellington, one of my favourite New Zealand cities. At 196 metres, it is taller than any natural point in Auckland, and the 360-degree views from the top are well worth the effort.
And effort it was. We were later told we had selected the most difficult path for hiking Mount Victoria. According to my Fitbit we climbed the equivalent of 107 flights of stairs.
Our trip to Wellington was fraught with emotion. We had to go as Sarah needed an interview to get her visa. She leaves in less than 2 weeks for her year-long AFS student exchange in Argentina. With our other daughter heading off to University at the end of the week, this was it – our last family holiday together. Things will never be the same again. And we made the best of it; hiking Mount Victoria was just a small part of our adventure. More photos coming soon.
Our first amazing view on the way to the top.
Part of our walking trail.
View from the top including the airport.
A family photo after hiking Mount Victoria. If you look at my hair you can get an idea as why the city is nicknamed “Windy Wellington”.
Another view from the top – by now, hiking Mount Victoria seems like a great idea – although, we still have to go back down.
The streets at the foothill were pretty steep too.
Practical Information:
- If you don’t want to walk, the number 20 bus will take you to the top.
- There is plenty of free parking at the top, should you be in Wellington with a car.
- Just when you think you are exhausted, and can’t take another step, a jogger will breeze by as if it were flat.
- Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring fans will want to know that part of Mount Victoria served as the outskirts of the Shire during filming.
(There is also a Mount Victoria in Devonport, Auckland)
Does hiking Mount Victoria appeal to you, or would you take the bus? Have you been to Wellington?
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Beautiful place…
Agreed, I had no idea it was going to be this amazing, or I would have done it on an earlier visit.
Beautiful photos! And good luck to your girls on their upcoming adventures. My 3, all grown, live all over the US and now one is moving to Korea – and while it’s so difficult to be far away from them it has made for some fun travels to see them!
Thanks. They sure have big adventures lurking.
I’d do the hike rather than taking the bus. What views.
Have a fabulous day Rhonda. 🙂
I didn’t think about the bus for too long, before we decided to hike it.
Ah, this is stunningly beautiful, Rhonda. Hiking in a place like this is my ideal way of seeing it. I’d rather do that than take the bus. What a glorious view you had from up there!
So true, it was the journey as much as the destination, although parts were a bit steeper than I prefer.
Glad your family got to have one last adventure together before the girls take off. And since I’ve followed you for several years, I can now see how much both of your daughters have grown.
It seems like just yesterday they were babies, now they are going out in the world – hopefully well prepared for whatever lies ahead.
Hiking and a million stairs – LOL! But what a grand time for your last family outing for a while. We used to hike a lot around the Sandias outside of Albuquerque, NM when we lived there.
Not quite a million – lol. The fitbit counts the elevation change (uphill only). I don’t think we walked on any actual stairs. – I love New Mexico.
Hiking Mount Victoria sounds great to me! With such phenomenal views at the top, I wouldn’t want to miss it.
It really is worth the effort.
Looks like a perfect hike after a wholesome weekend brunch!
I think we skipped the wholesome brunch, but the hike was great.
Why the eye rolling. I’d hike with you.
The short answer: Teens. (Well just one of them would rather take the bus). And I hope we get to hiking together soon.
Holy cow! I couldn’t climb 107 stairs let alone 107 *FLIGHTS* of stairs. I once went to the Valley of the Kings to see the different crypts and had to trudge up about 5 flights of stairs and then trudge 3 flights down to see the sarcophagi — EACH crypt is like that and there are like 30 to visit! My calf muscles were screaming at me the next day. Argh. I understand the bittersweet excitement of your babies going off into the world. I’m sure they’ll do great and be back home before you know it. 🙂
I didn’t walk 107 flights, but rather the uphill elevation equivalent of that. The volcanos are like that. However, if you visited 30 crypts each with 5 up and 3 down, then return, you did way more steps than I did.
Looks like a great hike. Congrats to both your girls! I hope Sarah keeps those photos coming from Argentina!
Sarah promises to post on some of the Sundays. Hopefully she will.
Hi Rhonda – I can imagine what’s happening to you all right now – lots of emotions … but lots of opportunity for the family … such fun to be around with you all – good luck with the preparations as those count downs come around.
That hike looks just stunning and I’d love to do it – had better get myself exercised … I need to do more – but those views are extraordinary .. congratulations …
Happy week ahead … and good luck to one and all – cheers Hilary
Yes, we are an emotional roller coaster family right now.
Looks like a great walk. I’ve never hiked up there when I’ve been to Welly. Looking at your pics makes me wish I had.
I hadn’t been up there at all before, but now it will be on my itinerary for every visit.
Sign me up! What a great way to spend your last week before the girls set off on some amazing adventures on their own!
I agree, it was a perfect last family holiday together.
Looks like a perfect hike! Fabulous views from the top!
And all the best to your daughter for her exchange study. Hope she has a great time. 🙂
Surprisingly stunning views – although I don’t know why I was so surprised.
To be perfectly honest, I would take the bus to the top. It’s just a bit much for me. I can hike a bit on level ground but 107 flights of stairs? Not with my heart. I’m willing but the flesh is weak. That is a very memorable activity for you to share before your nest empties out.
LOL – I am pretty sure one of our girls would have joined you. It was hiking trails, equivalent to 107 flights.
Didn’t know you had a travel link:) True, it will never be the same, but once you get used to it you will see your relationship with her will stay the same:)
Love the pic with the stairs and the hiking trail. Some hiking you did!
I have been with Weekend Travel Inspiration for about a year (I think). I know it will all be good, it’s just the transition right now, both girls at once that seems a bit overwhelming.
You are a real little fitness junkie now. You have done so well. Lovely family shot.
LOL – not quite a fitness junkie, but I do make better choices.
Great exercise and you get the gift at the top that is the fantastic view!
Great photos
Have a nice week!
xxx
http://www.travelera.es
It was a wonderful gift
WoW! Sounds like it was good exercise and the view was great!
Yes to both.
I wish your daughter the very best in Argentina. David and I love Argentina, not just Buenos Aires, which is magical but Cordoba, San Miguel de Tucuman and Salta. It is a beautiful country with beautiful people. Will your daughter be studying in Buenos Aires? If she is, tell her to make sure she takes the ferry across to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay for a day or a weekend. It is a magical place. I have done a post on it which I am sure you can find on my blog. If not, message me and I will send you the link. We also did a road trip from Cordoba to Tucuman a few years ago. I ‘m quite envious. If Buenos Aires wasn’t so far D and I would pop across for lunch every second weekend.
She is heading to Santa Fe, and I am not sure how much traveling she will get to do. It is a cultural exchange. She will live with a family as a member of the family, and will go to school. We (hubby and I) will tour at some point however, and will find your post very useful. I have added it here for Sarah and my readers: http://www.thetravellinglindfields.com/p/argentina.html
What a wonderful family activity and I would definitely say well worth the 107 flights of stairs! The view from Mount Wellington are sensational. My daughter always makes we hike up Mount Coolum on the Sunshine Coast, where she lives each time I visit her. It almost kills me!!
It was the equivalent of 107 flights, not actual stairs. We almost moved to Mooloolaba a few years ago. If we ever get back, Mount Coolum will be on our list.
I miss hiking! Here in south Mississippi, we don’t really have a lot of hills. When I lived in Louisville, KY, I was hiking several times a week. Loved it! Thanks for sharing with us at Photo Friday!
You can always go on long walks 🙂