11/03/2026. Leith To The Sea. Grade 2. Combined. Leaders: Katrina McKenzie and Julie MacKenzie
22 hikers and trampers meet up at the top entrance to Woodhaugh Gardens.
We made our way down through the gardens and across George Street onto Willowbank where we admired the art work on the concrete channels of the Leith done by art students.
We walked past the old Wilsons distillery buildings, some of which have been made into apartments. Then to the grounds of the Leisure Lodge to look at the old stone Oast House which was a former malting kiln. Then a mad dash across State highway 1 to the botanical gardens for morning tea.
Following the Leith down through the university area, and thanks to Jan, down a indistinct track off the cycle trail which took us right to the mouth of the river.
Back to the cycle lane and the picnic tables for a leisurely lunch.
The return trip saw us walk down the back of the stadium, through the back of the old teachers College, now part of the university. Then once across Clyde Street back into the university precinct.
We walked past the clocktower block to the professorial residences (the gingerbread houses).
After some deliberation we decided to do coffee before the end of the walk and headed across the Leith bridge to the St Davids café. After a good deal of chat back towards the cars. Along Castle Street, which is covered in broken glass and rubbish in the front of some flats. A bit of an eye opener and you would wonder why tour operators take their clients down there for a look. One more bridge across the Leith, back through the botanical gardens to the gardens corner to avoid the dangers of the state highway again.
As we arrived back at the cars the birds in Woodhaugh greeted us with a wonderful chorus.
A lovely day out walking in our beautiful city.
Katrina McKenzie
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.