New walking tracks open up the Brook side of the Grampians
14/03/2025 8:47am
Philpot, Dave Newton, Group Manager Community Services Andrew White, Nelson City Council
Mayor Nick Smith, and Mike Ward.
Scaling the Grampians summit from the Brook is now easier and more enjoyable thanks to new walking tracks from Hinau Street and Sowman Street. These trails, highlighted as high priorities in Council’s On Tracks Strategy 2022, are now open for locals and visitors to explore.
In 2020 Nelson City Council purchased a 20 hectare block of land on the Brook side of the Grampians to help increase pedestrian access, improve the existing track network and initiate biodiversity improvements on the whenua.
While some tracks were already formed, significant work was needed to make them accessible to the public and bring them up to standard. This included making use of unformed legal roads and reserve land to open up the network from the two streets, slip remediation, fencing, building removal, vegetation management and new signage.
New and recently opened tracks:
Ponga Track – A 2km track with a 150m climb, linking the top of Sowman St to the Ridgeline Walkway opposite the top of Ronaki Track. Walking time: 45 minutes one way.
Kawakawa Track – A shorter 400m track with a 60m climb, connecting Grampians Rd to Ponga Track. Walking time: 10 minutes to Ponga Track, 40 minutes via Ponga to the Ridgeline Walkway.
Hinau Track – Opened in 2024, this 1 km track with a 135m climb connects Hinau St to the Ridgeline Walkway at the Collingwood Street trig. Walking time: 25 minutes one way.
Linking Tracks – Two connecting tracks between Ponga and Hinau Tracks provide multiple route options for walkers, including a 45 minute loop starting at either Hinau St or Sowman St.
It is now easier than ever for people to access the spectacular views and native bush walks the Grampians are known for.
