Hutt Valley

 

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Hutt Valley  |   Wainuiomata  |   Petone | Eastbourne  | Days Bay  Parks and Reserves   |   Things to do  |  Toy Hire   |  Doctors |  Links 

 

The Hutt Valley is very near our capital city of Wellington. Nestled in the valley along the Hutt River it stretches up to the Tararua Ranges. With great access by bus, car and train it is an easy destination to get to.    Wainuiomata is on the eastern hill side of the Lower Hutt and is the gateway to the Rimutaka Forest Park.    Petone is the gateway to Wainuiomata, Eastbourne and the Hutt Valley. This area is beautiful on a sunny day and offers a peasant walk along the foreshore, including The Settlers Museum and a great playground.

Eastbourne and Days Bay are located across the habour from Wellington. To get to Eastbourne and Days Bay you can either drive through Petone or take a ferry from Wellington's waterfront. The area provides beaches for swimming and Williams Park which is a popular picnic area. An excellent playground, suitable for children of all ages, is located next to the Eastbourne outdoor swimming pool. You can access Butterfly Creek and Pencarrow Coast Road from Eastbourne. 

 

Wellington  is a short 30 minute trip down the motorway from Upper Hutt City, so if staying in the Hutt don't forget to visit some of Wellington's great sights. Or travel by car or train up to Otaki and  Paraparaumu and visit some of the sights, it is all within one hour from the Hutt. 

Then again, if you are interested in wine, a short drive across the Rimutaka Ranges will bring you to either  Martinborough  or Masterton.  

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Beaches and walks

 

Hutt River  |  East Harbour Regional Park  |  Butterfly Creek  |  Pencarrow Coast Road  |  Belmont Regional Park  |  Korokoro Valley  |  Stratton Street  |  Hill Road  |  Dry Creek  |  Kaitoke Regional Park  |  Rimutaka Ranges

 

Hutt River

The Hutt River Trail which runs alongside the Hutt River is ideal for cyclists and walkers. The trail starts at the eastern end of Marine Parade on the Petone foreshore and follows the river north to Upper Hutt. The trail can be enter from many different entred points along the trail.

 

East Harbour Regional Park

The East Harbour Regional Park is on the eastern side of Wellington Harbour. The two main areas of the park are Butterfly Creek and Pencarrow Coast Road. 

 

Butterfly Creek is ideal for families with bush walks and picnicking areas available. It is situated between Eastbourne and Wainuiomata.  You can access Butterfly Creek via Muritai Road which runs off the main road in Eastbourne.

 

Pencarrow Coast Road begins at Burdans Gate and the southern end of Eastbourne and runs along to Pencarrow Lighthouse and around to Fitzroy Bay. The road is suitable for cycling, however the area experiences strong winds and warm clothes should always be carried, even in summer. The beaches around this area are not suitable for swimming.

 

Belmont Regional Park

Belmont Regional Park is located between Lower Hutt and Porirua and is suitable for horse riding, hiking and mountain biking. It is divided into four areas; those areas are Korokoro Valley, Stratton Street, Hill Road and Dry Creek.

 

Korokoro Valley is located at Cornish Street some 10 minutes walk south of the Petone railway station and at Oakleigh Street. This hiking area takes you to the historical Korokoro Dam with a steady climb to Belmont Trig.  Warm clothes should be taken with you as the area can get exposed and be subject to changing weather conditions.

 

Stratton Street is located at Dowse Drive off State Highway 2. It is suitable for horse riding and mountain biking. There are picnic tables located in Stratton Street valley.

 

Hill Road is via Grounsell Cres, Belmont off State Highway 2. This area of the Belmont Regional Park provides you with the opportunity to see World War Two munition magazines.

 

Dry Creek is at the foot of the Haywards Hill and is close to the intersection of State Highway Two and State Highway 58. This area provides walking and hiking tracks, with mountain biking allowed on all tracks with the exception of Waterfall Track.

 

Kaitoke Regional Park

The Kaitoke Regional Park is located 12 kilometres north of Upper Hutt. Follow State Highway Two to Waterworks Road and turn left. There are picnic areas along the river,  with toilets and coin-operated barbecues at Kaitoke. The Weir Walk and Terrace Walk are both suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. 

 

Rimutaka Ranges

If you are feeling a bit more energetic try the Rimutaka Incline which is located a few kilometres outside Upper Hutt on the Rimutaka Ranges and on your way to Martinborough. This is a great walk or mountain bike ride. Make sure you take a torch for the tunnels and plenty of food and water. This is suitable for older children who have the fitness for a full days walking or several hours biking. My husband did the Incline with our then four year old son on the back of his bike and said he would do it again.

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Things to do

 

Toddler Time The New Dowse, 45 Laings Rd, Lower Hutt. Tue, Wed and Thur  11am -  cost $10   At this 40 minute workshop, nappy-clad Picassos are given the chance to show their creative streak. The session encourages parents to guide their children through the creative process and simultaneously discover their inner child.

 

Settlers Museum, The Esplanade, Petone

Phone +64 4 568 8373 www.huttcity.govt.nz/Council-Facilities/Museum--Galleries/Petone-Settlers-Museum/

 

Maori Treasures

56 Guthie Street, Lower Hutt.

Ph: 04 939 9630

Visit Maori Treasures and discover Maori art and culture just 20 minutes from Wellington City.

 

Lollipops Playland and Cafe

510 Hutt Road, Lower Hutt, Wellington. 

Ph: 04 466 6677 

A great fun place to take children to, wet or fine. Enjoy a coffee while your children play.

 

Staglands Wildlife Reserve

Akatarawa Road, Upper Hutt.

Ph: 04 526 7529

Web: www.staglands.co.nz

Less than an hour from Wellington, kids love the chance to "encounter" our birds and animals.

Pixie Toy Hire

7 Miro Street, Upper Hutt
Ph: 04 528 8964
Mob: 021 133 6510
info@pixietoyhire.co.nz
www.pixietoyhire.co.nz

At Pixie Toy Hire we offer top quality toy hire for children aged 0-5 years.  We have a great range of indoor and outdoor toys.  Short and long term hire options available as well as 3 day Party Hire options.  Book early to avoid disappointment.

Lower Hutt Swimming Pools

 

Lower Hutt has several swimming pools - Indoor heated ones include:

 

Huia Pool in Huia Street, (central Lower Hutt, phone: 04 570 6655.

 

Naenae Olympic Pool (Everest Avenue, Naenae, phone: 04 567 5043) 

Stokes Valley pools (corner George and Bowers Streets, phone: 04 562 9030

Outdoor pools, which are open in the summer only, include:

McKenzie Pool, Udy Street in Petone.

Upper Hutt Swimming Pools

H2O Xtream, corner Blenheim and Brown Streets, Upper Hutt

Phone +64 4 527 2113 www.h2oxtream.com

Library

Want to enrich your children's lives with some reading? Ask about any children's programme currently running or children's story times.

 

Lower Hutt War Memorial Library

Queens Drive, Lower Hutt

Phone: 04 570 6633

 

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Services and their phone numbers

 

Hutt Hospital

Ph: 04 566 6999

Police

- Upper Hutt   04 528 4029

- Lower Hutt   04 560 2600

 

After hours (until 10 om) pharmacy

- Upper Hutt 04 528 4808

- Lower Hutt 04 567 5345

 

After hours medical centres (24 hours)

- Upper Hutt 04 528 0111

- Lower Hutt 04 567 5345

 

After Hours Dental

Ph: 04 570 0520

 

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Useful web sites

 

www.wrc.govt.nz  Wellington Regional Council

www.huttcity.info Hutt City Information Centre

www.upperhuttcity.com Upper Hutt Visitor Centre.

 

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