47 - Railway Reserve

Time: 1 - 1 1/2 hours

Area: Stoke

Start Location: The Stoke Library on Putaitai Street

Download the Railway Reserve map (97KB PDF)

Route directions

Turn right into Neale Avenue and left into Andrew Street. Turn right into the Railway Reserve and walk through the memorial walkway of rhododendrons and camellias, commemorating Diana, Princess of Wales. Continue along the Railway Reserve to Quarantine Road.

Take the pedestrian/cyclist Annesbrook overbridge to the right and then cross the road next to the Stafford Avenue overbridge. Take the path along the left side of Stafford Avenue which comes out at the end of Cawthron Crescent.

Turn left into Beatsons Road and right into a walkway just past Jenkins Place following the pathway out to Waimea Road before taking the underpass to the other side of the road. 

Take Chings Road through to The Ridgeway and follow it back to Marsden Road. Along The Ridgeway there are fantastic views of the Waimea estuary and Mount Arthur Range. On your way you'll pass the Ridgeways subdivision - if you like some off-road hiking try the Ridgeways skyline down into the Marsden Valley.

Alternatively, if you go to the top of the new road you'll get a panoramic view right across the Waimea Plains.

Turn right into Marsden Road and left into Hilliard Street and go through to Isel Park - home of Isel House, originally built in 1848 by Thomas Marsden as a little cottage but with major renovations over the next 50 years. Wander through Isel Park back to Main Road Stoke. Take in some of the garden's charm - in the glasshouse are tropical vireya rhododendrons which flower all year and through the park are many fine trees, some of which are the largest of their species known in New Zealand.

Cross Main Road Stoke into Putaitai Street and back to the Stoke Library.