M is for Mt Victoria: tramping the Southern Walkway in Wellington

A perfect day with crystal clear skies.

Wellington sparkles on a perfect summer day, there is a clarity of light which is wondrous and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.

We had such a day.

We walked the harbour; watching boats, swimmers, paddle boarders, sunbathers, runners and people taking in the joy of a good day; past Oriental Bay and then up onto the start of the Southern Walkway. Immediately the gradient tightens, with many switchbacks, steep wooden steps and inclines that got me gasping for air. The vistas across the bay and the city are worth each steep rise.

Eventually we were up and out of the houses, into the forest and eventually onto Mt Vic and the 360 degree views of greater Wellington. Too marvellous, a great walk.

Southern Walkway to the Mt Vic Lookout, sea, city, forests and interesting homes.