The most famous “Northwest Passage” is a sea route connecting the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America.
Our local northwest passage isn’t quite so well known. It’s basically a track - a passage - in the very northwest of Tawa, pretty much on the border of Wellington and Porirua. The track, which is becoming a little overgrown in parts, takes you up through the edge of Spicer Forest to the road constructed by Meridian Energy in 2013. You can now wander (but not drive) along that road to Ohariu Valley, or turn right a little way along the road to head in the direction of Colonial Knob.
This cache is the last of five located along ‘our’ Northwest Passage. A slight diversion from the track will provide, looking southeastwards, a great view of Tawa. The splendid Porirua Harbour is clearly visible in a northeasterly direction, more noticeable on the return leg of this track.
At this point you’ll have reached the Meridian road. There’s a short climb to GZ. Look back in the direction you’ve come and you’ll be rewarded with a splendid view of Porirua Harbour, thus the name of the cache.
This cache supersedes “Landfill View” which went MIA more than a year ago. It was located a short distance away on the other side of the roadway. In reality, a view of the harbour is a whole lot more interesting than a view of the landfill!