Discover Mt Crawford
Mt Crawford, near the north end of the Miramar Peninsula on the edge of the eastern suburbs of Wellington, is a 326-metre summit providing panoramic views across the harbour and the city. The peak's main attraction is a World War II gun emplacement, one of several coastal defence installations built to protect Wellington Harbour from potential naval and air attack.
Exploring the Summit
The summit of Mt Crawford is accessed directly from the car park next to the historic Mt Crawford prison. A 2-minute walk takes you to the summit, with views from across Wellington Harbour to the city centre. The east side of the peninsula and harbour, and south towards the harbour entrance, are also clearly visible. A survey trig marker and communications transmitter share the summit.
You will probably spot some farm animals, while native plantings around the summit include kōwhai, flax, and other coastal species, part of ongoing efforts to restore native vegetation on Wellington's hills.
The Point Halswell Anti-Aircraft Battery
Walking from the summit north down along gated Main Road takes you to the concrete fortifications of the Point Halswell Anti-Aircraft Battery. This, and other batteries, were built in the early 1940s as part of Wellington's coastal defence network. Graffiti now covers much of the concrete structure, creating an unintended layer of urban art over the military architecture. While the graffiti detracts from the historical integrity, it reflects the site's transition from an active military installation to a public recreation area. There are other WWII gun emplacements to be discovered around the peninsula.
Continuing south, you can also visit the Massey Memorial.
Getting There
From Central Wellington, take State Highway 1 toward the airport. Continue past the turnoff to the airport, then turn right onto Miramar Avenue, then north onto Maupuia Road. Follow this road, which becomes Akaroa Drive, then Main Road as it winds its way to the summit. Park in the car park next to the prison, and you will easily spot the public access to the summit. The gated section of Main Road is just west of this. The drive is 8 km and takes 14 minutes. You can also take a bus from the central city.
Also, next to the prison are the Miramar Community Gardens. Other places to explore around Miramar include Scorching Bay, Worsing Bay, Point Dorset, Breaker Bay and Tarakena Bay.
