The history of the Solomon Track in Wainuiomata, that connected Morton Dam and the Whakanui Track.
The Solomon Track in Wainuiomata, New Zealand, was established in the 1880s. It traversed the ridgeline between the Morton Dam and the Whakanui Track, extending to the hill at the top of Nīkau Creek. In the 1960s, the track was closed due to its location within the Wainuiomata Water Collection area. By the 2010s, it had become mostly overgrown.
The track’s name is associated with Solomon’s Knob, a nearby hill. During the construction of the Morton Dam in the early 1900s, the media referred to the project as the “Solomon’s Knob Reservoir,” a name derived from this hill. Upon completion, the dam was officially named the Morton Dam, honouring its chief architect, William Hobart Morton.
In May 2010, the Wellington Botanical Society conducted a trip along the Solomon Knob spur within the Wainuiomata Catchment. They observed a variety of native flora, including Cordyline banksii, Gahnia species, and several orchid species, as well as native birdlife such as the New Zealand falcon.
Today, the Solomon Track is largely overgrown and not maintained, reflecting its historical significance and the natural reclamation of the area.
