Te Awarua O Porirua / Porirua Harbour is an overlooked but picturesque body of water between Porirua and Plimmerton. There is a shared cycle and walking track around much of the harbour. A good access point is the car park to the south of the Mana bridge, which crosses over a narrow section, joining the two arms of the harbour.
Look south to Ivey Bay (along the bridge) from the car park. If it is calm enough, take a moment to admire one of NZ's best city water reflections before you set off. Then head around the edge of Pāuatahanui, the western arm of the harbour, for as far as you want to go, or walk under the road and rail bridge to the eastern arm to the marina, then follow Ara Harakeke. This is the coastal shared track to Goat Point and Plimmerton, opposite the harbour entrance.
You can also drive south, then around the west arm of the harbour on Titahi Bay Road. From the end of the road, there is another track that takes you around the southern side of the harbour entrance.
