It’s happening. In February we are opening the Coastal Connection - Stage One and you’re invited!
The Coastal Connection is a walking and cycling trail that will run from Dunedin City’s northernmost town of Waikouaiti, all the way to Port Chalmers, connecting to the harbour cycleway and linking the coastal communities in-between.
Stage One is the section between Waitati and Mopanui Rd, close to Orokonui Ecosanctuary, a 4.3km track climbing 300m elevation and giving stunning views of the Blueskin Bay, coastline and surrounding hills.Join us for the Grand Opening of our stunning new 4.3km trail. Mayor Sophie Barker will be cutting the ribbon.
Friday 13 February 1:00pm
How to get there
Everyone is encouraged to walk or ride the 4.3km to the top of the trail, where the opening will be held. Allow 1 hour for walking or 20 minutes for riding up. It is an easy Grade Two trail. After the opening it’s all downhill back to the start!
Please park on Doctor’s Point Rd and enter the start of the trail there Below is a map on how to get there. Make sure to arrive on time, as we keep a tight timeline.
Please note that parking at the top of the trail is extremely limited and needed for VIP access only on the day.
Also, we had a few people keen to try the new track, we understand the excitement, but PLEASE NOTE that this trail is NOT open yet and is still an active work site. Please respect this and stay away until it’s opened.
The irony is that the easiest lowest elevation and most direct is actually Leith saddle. A route ive been taking to waitati for 40 years. Most people wanting a longer loop will do mt Cargill and Leith saddle. On extreme occasions I will go to waitati via port Chalmers and visit my dad along the way. I dont agree with this route north but now there is a nice path I guess ill ride it. Although I note Lael Wilcox didnt take Leith Saddle on her woman’s world record round the world bike tour.
Sorry to miss you John. Fraser, with a start time of 1pm, wouldn’t 10:30am put us at Waitati around 12pm, an hour early? In any case, I will probably take my electric bike, as I’ll be tired from Thursday night football. So apologies in advance.
Well, a coffee at least. They say 20 mins cycle to the top of the climb, so need to be heading away from coffee stop 12:40. So maybe 12:20 arriving for coffee and leaving Dunedin 10:50? With an ebike you’ll do it in half the time, so maybe just catch us (?me) up. Coffee could be at the garden centre or at the place opposite the village store (which does not do real coffee)?
I’m happy to go very slowly on my e-bike! I had forgotten about the climb too. Let’s just go with whatever time suits you, and I will fit in with that. I just wondered if you had made a mathematical error the first time. Sorry for all the confusion!
@members - this is a great opportunity to have a chat with some of our local councillors. We might want to bring wet weather gear / umbrella though as a cool change / rain is meant to hit at 2026-02-13T00:00:00Z
(@frstep & @david - I can’t quite squeeze in riding there unfortunately)
Friday 13 February
1:00pm
