Careys Creek Track

Experience the rugged hills just beyond the city while enjoying a remarkable variety of bird and plant life. Follow the contours of the valley and wander alongside Careys Creek, tucked away behind Blueskin Bay. From the carpark on Double Hill Road, the track will take you to Evansdale Glen/Waimoi. The gradient is initially mellow through kānuka and regenerating native forest. The track reaches some benches. This is a pleasant rest stop to enjoy the surrounds before descending steps through steep terrain into the gully. The track can be muddy and slippery as there are exposed rocks and roots. The track crosses the creek numerous times and is muddy in places with exposed slippery rocks and roots. Tramping boots are recommended. Be aware water levels of the creek may be higher after periods of rainfall and the track muddier. Careys Creek Track joins with with Rongomai Track and Honeycomb Track which can make a loop for a challenging side trip. Alternatively, the track can be walked in the opposite direction from Evansdale Glen.

Side trip: Honeycomb Track and Rongomai Track Loop

Honeycomb Track distance: 1.8 km 60 min one way Honeycomb Track ascends quickly away from the gully floor. Initially greeted with thick fern undergrowth, the bush opens up as the track climbs the ridge. This stretch is steep and rocky and often muddy. There are sections of exposed rock and uneven ground. Honeycomb Track finishes at the logging road. There is a small section of the road to be walked to reach the beginning of Rongomai Track. Be careful on this section as the road is actively used by logging trucks. Rongomai Track distance: 2.2 km 40 min one way Rongomai Track starts at the beginning of a paper road through forestry, before turning into native bush at a rocky outcrop and descending into the valley. The track is rocky and ground uneven in places. The loop can be walked from either direction. Both routes have challenging sections, however the gradient of Rongomai Track is more gradual overall. There is an informal old forest worker track which transects Honeycomb and Rongamai Track, this is not maintained.