Escape with us this summer… Explore the regional parks and forests on your doorstep with Greater Wellington’s Great Outdoors summer events programme. We offer more than 60 events, set in some of the region’s most spectacular landscapes Nearly all events are Public transport within one hour’s drive Plan your trip by phoning of Wellington city and Metlink on 0800 801 700 or see www.metlink.org.nz and hosted by people who For the full events programme, see use the online journey planner. know the area well. WWW.GW.GOVT.NZ/EVENTS What to bring Cancellations Weather conditions can change Cancellations are posted on The quickly. Always take a backpack Breeze and Newstalk ZB. We’ll with a waterproof jacket, warm leave a cancellation message clothes, tramping boots or strong on the booking officer’s phone: lace-up walking shoes, water and 04 801 1041. No postponement a picnic lunch and/or snacks. On date applies unless stated on trips longer than two hours take the programme. If you cannot thermal leggings, a long-sleeved attend on the day, please leave top, a warm hat and gloves. Always a message with the booking take a sun hat and sunblock. The officer. Please note that no parks contain fresh Wellington air. refunds will be given for Please be smokefree. non-attendance. Bookings and Sponsors information Where you see this symbol, Most events are free. spot prizes will be provided You must book ahead by Dwights Outdoors. for events with maximum numbers. Look out for the “bookings essential” icon. B For events with a fee, payment must be made to confirm your enrolment. Pay via internet banking, cheque or cash at Greater Wellington, ground floor, 142 Wakefield Street, Wellington or 1056 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt. Ask the booking officer for internet payment instructions. [email protected] or phone 04 801 1041 13 21 DEC 27-29 BeGinnerS Guide tO OWninG B KeV the WAnderinG KiWi Fr AnYthinG VintAGe FeStiVAl A POnY 2 hutt river trail, Poets Park Queen elizabeth Park, Queen elizabeth Park, thurs 10.30am-12noon D MacKays Crossing entrance MacKays Crossing Join Greater Wellington, Upper Hutt City E Sun-tues,10am-4.30pm Wed 11am-11.45am, 11.45am-12.30pm, Council and Kev the Wandering Kiwi on a Entry fees apply 1.30pm-2.15pm, 2.15pm-3pm $20pp *20318 wander down the Hutt River Trail, and into Bu Bring the family and stay the day. There’ll See 9 Jan for event description. Trentham Memorial Park and Bartons Bush. be vintage displays, rides and other activities Coffee courtesy of Caffe L’affare. 4Wd SunSet tOur 1 to enjoy. Getting there: SH2, turn left after Battle hill Farm Forest Park Wed 6pm-9.30pm $5pp *19706 Moonshine Bridge if heading north. Team up with the Cross-Country Vehicle B Club for a 4WD trip through farmland JANUARY and forest, culminating in sunset views 23 over the Pauatahanui Inlet and Cook Strait. riMutAKA rAil trAil 1 B No private 4WD vehicles allowed. Pakuratahi Forest 7 KeV the WAnderinG KiWi And SPOrt Sat 9am-5.30pm Fr Max 30 people. Getting there: See 9 Jan. M WellinGtOn BuGGY WAlK Adults $27, under 14s $12 *19710 tunnel Gully recreation Area Bu A long (17km) but easy 5-hour scenic thurs 10.30am-12noon D walk exploring our unique railway history. Join Greater Wellington, Upper Hutt City 14 Afternoon tea at Featherston’s Fell Museum KeV the WAnderinG KiWi F Council and Kev the Wandering Kiwi on the E then back to Upper Hutt. Price includes bus, Wainuiomata recreation Area Fr beautiful Tane’s Track. Coffee courtesy of lunchtime sausage sizzle, afternoon tea B Caffe L’affare. Getting there: From SH2, thurs 10.30am-12noon Bu Join Greater Wellington, Hutt City Council and museum entry. Max 45 people. turn off at Plateau Rd at the Te Marua Store D Getting there: Catch the train to (6km north of Upper Hutt). Follow signs and Kev the Wandering Kiwi to explore the Gums Loop Track in the Wainuiomata Upper Hutt Railway Station. By car, follow to Tunnel Gully. E Recreation Area. Coffee courtesy of Caffe SH2 to Upper Hutt, take Gibbons St then Fergusson Drive to the railway station. BeGinnerS Guide tO the RainforeSt 1 L’affare. Getting there: Follow the main Kaitoke regional Park, Fr road through Wainuiomata, turn left into Waterworks rd entrance B Moores Valley Rd, turn right into Whitcher 24 thurs 7pm-8.30pm Grove and follow road to the Recreation Area. FArM tO COASt 1 Join the rangers on a walk through native E B BeGinnerS Guide tO the Battle hill Farm Forest Park to Queen bush, introducing the wonders of Wellington’s Fr elizabeth Park temperate rainforest. Max 40 people. rAinFOreSt 2 F Kaitoke regional Park, Sun 7.45am-5pm $12pp *19707 Getting there: Follow SH2 and turn off at B Waterworks rd entrance Fit and interested in the route less Waterworks Rd 12km north of Upper Hutt. thurs 7pm-8.30pm E travelled? Join Greater Wellington and the Meet at Pakuratahi Forks carpark. See 7 Jan for event description. Parawai Tramping Club at Queen Elizabeth Park before bussing to Battle Hill. We head up through pine forest to the native bush 9 16 of Mt Wainui and the trig before dropping nAture diSCOVerY treASure hunt ¯ ¯ Fr rOnGOA MAOri – MAOri MediCine into Whareroa Farm and back to Queen Kaitoke regional Park, WAlK Fr Elizabeth Park. Max 30 people. For the Waterworks rd entrance E Kaitoke regional Park, fit only!Getting there: Enter Queen Sat 11am-12.30pm B Waterworks rd entrance Elizabeth Park at MacKays Crossing off Fun family treasure hunt. Use clues Sat 10am-12.30pm E SH1 and meet at the ranger’s office. hidden in the forest to find the treasure. Go back in time to learn about rongoa – Not suitable for mountain buggies. the M ¯aori term for medicines produced Bring: Pen and a picnic lunch. from native plants. Max 25 people. 28 Getting there: See 7 Jan. Bring: Notepad, pen. Getting there: KeV the WAnderinG KiWi Fr See 7 Jan. Belmont regional Park, Oakleigh St BAttle hill heli trAMP 1 thurs 10.30am-12noon Battle hill Farm Forest Park B D MAArA rOA lOOP WAlK Join Greater Wellington, Hutt City Council Sat 9am-2.30pm $99pp *19704 Belmont regional Park, Fr M and Kev the Wandering Kiwi for a slightly M Take a chopper from Battle Hill up takapu rd entrance B harder walk as we visit the historic Transmission Gully. Enjoy a scenic tramp Sat 9.30am-12.30pm Korokoro Dam. Not suitable for mountain along the open ridge and through pine Enjoy a hilly hike around the Cannons Creek M buggies. Coffee courtesy of Caffe L’affare. forest back to Battle Hill. Max 30 people. restoration area with the Friends of Maara Getting there: Exit SH2 at Maungaraki, Getting there: Follow Paekakariki Hill Rd Roa guides, who will show you some for 6km from SH58 at Pauatahanui or from untracked bush and new plantings. go up Dowse Drive, turn left into Oakleigh St Grays Rd intersection with SH1 at Plimmerton. To book, phone Sylvia 04 237 4760. to park entrance. Getting there: Exit SH1 at Grenada North BeGinnerS Guide tO OWninG A POnY 1 B and follow Takapu Rd to the end. Queen elizabeth Park, MacKays Crossing Sat 11am-11.45am, 11.45am-12.30pm, 30 1.30pm-2.15pm, 2.15pm-3pm 17 Queen elizABeth PArK nAture dAY WAinuiOMAtA WAter WAlK $20pp *20317 Queen elizabeth Park, MacKays Crossing Fr Wainuiomata Water Collection Area Fr Join the Stables on the Park team for an Sat 9.30am-2pm Sun 9am-2pm B introduction to riding and looking after B Learn what’s behind the beach at our See some of the best pre-European ponies. No experience necessary. Wear most popular regional park. Come on E lowland forest in the lower North Island E long pants and closed-in shoes with a heel. guided walks to explore its special bird in an easy 11km guided walk. Max 12 riders per session. For ages 5-15. life, plants and land forms. Sausage sizzle Max 50 people. Entry is by application, Getting there: Enter Queen Elizabeth Park at lunchtime. phone 04 526 5332 for information or at MacKays Crossing off SH1. Stables on the Getting there: See 24 January. Park is on the right opposite the ranger’s office. email [email protected]. Walks are See www.stablesonthepark.co.nz. held on Sundays, monthly from October to GlOW WOrM GrOttO Fr June. Getting there: Take the main road tunnel Gully recreation Area south through Wainuiomata to Coast Rd, Sat 9pm-10pm B turn left onto Moores Valley Rd, right into Visit one of the area’s best glow worm 10 Whitcher Grove, go straight ahead to Reservoir colonies and learn about their lifecycle. E GiAnt rAtA JOurneY Fr Rd and the main gates to meet the park ranger. Bring: Torch and warm clothing. east harbour regional Park Max 40 people. Getting there: Take Sun 9am-3pm B PAWS in the PArK SH2 and turn right at the Te Marua Store Join local group MIRO on a guided off-track tunnel Gully recreation Area Fr (6km north of Upper Hutt) onto Plateau Rd, tramp from Days Bay to Eastbourne. Visit G Sun 11am-2pm D follow to the end of Tunnel Gully where the biggest rata in the park and learn about Walkies! Bring your dog and explore the rangers will meet you. their quest to protect this magnificent forest beautiful podocarp forest along Tane’s Track.