Wellington ‘s family-friendly bike rides It seems there is an epidemic of bike riding in New Zealand, so if you haven’t already, it’s time to get your family in on the fun. Check out some of these family-friendly bike rides in your area. seals can be spotted from May-October. continue down to the Cross Creek carpark the gently undulating wetlands loop through www.newzealand.com/int/article/ (another hour) and then cycle along flat to dedicated downhill tracks. Access is from top-5-mountain-biking-trails-in-wellington/ roads to Featherston Station (allow 45 mins) Waiau Street in Wainuiomata. www.wtp.org.nz. to catch a train back. The Trail features aotea lagoon, porirua restored railway bridges and historic tunnels mt victoria, central wellington This is a sheltered public park with a wide, (take a torch). Enjoy swimming and fishing in if you’re looking for somewhere to ride sealed 732m pathway around the lagoon. the nearby Pakuratahi River and picnic or that’s close to the city, then Mt Victoria is There is an adventure fort and playground, a camp in the pleasant surrounds of Ladle your place. Only five minutes from the CBD, Wellington has a big selection of varied and fenced toddlers’ playground, and picnic Bend and Summit. www.gw.govt.nz/ Mt Vic offers some more challenging interesting tracks for the whole family. areas close by to use while watching the Rimutaka-Rail-Trail off-road riding for the family. There are pencarrow coast road children.www.pcc.govt.nz/Leisure/ some wide walking paths and an easy Cycling-and-Mountain-Biking/Cycling-with- wellington waterfront single track through to good downhill This relatively easy 20km ride will take This flat, family-friendly and scenic ride Children options and a skills area. http://tracks.org. about 2-3 hours return. Sea birds and plant follows the shared path around Wellington nz/area/show/5 life thrive on the exposed coastline, while ara harakeke pathway waterfront. With a whole range of extra the nationally significant Lakes family activities to take in, such as Frank The 8.7km shared pathway runs alongside Kohangapiripiri and Kohangatera are home Kitts Park, Te Papa, and Oriental Bay. The Safety points rugged coastal areas, four beaches, a to a variety of wildlife. www.gw.govt.nz/ waterfront offers a perfect chance to cycle nationally important wetland, a steam train • make sure everyone has a Mountain-biking-3/ to one of the weekend markets to pick up operation, and World War Two pillboxes. It snugly-fitted, damage-free helmet some local art, crafts and produce. hutt valley trail passes through three communities: Mana, • wear closed-in footwear Explore the Hutt Valley on a bike courtesy Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay in the north. gum loops track, of purpose-built cycle trails that follow both It has great places to stop for coffee and wainuiomata • wear bright-coloured clothing sides of the Hutt River. For a more refreshments at Mana and Plimmerton. A gentle ride that takes in beautiful for visibility ambitious ride, follow all the way to the www.pcc.govt.nz/Leisure/Cycling-and- regenerating bush with a mix of gum trees. Rimutaka Incline Trail and across to the Mountain-Biking/Cycling-with-Children A loop ride will take no more than an hour. • take lots of water for hydration and Wairarapa. www.gw.govt.nz/huttrivertrail/ There are plenty of picnic spots along the high-energy snacks rimutaka rail trail, upper hutt river and a number of signposted swimming • make sure your child is riding on red rocks coastal track, Running 18km from Kaitoke to Cross holes for a refreshing dip. Access is best the right size bike te kopahou reserve Creek, the Rimutaka Rail Trail is a popular from the Wainuiomata Waterworks area, off An easy 8km return track that starts at the recreation route used by more than 30,000 Moores Valley Road. west end of Owhiro Bay Parade by the walkers, runners and cyclists each year. It is For more great rides in your local area, contact your local council or Dept of Taputeranga Marine Reserve Visitor Centre an easy gradient with a gravel surface. wainuiomata trail project Conservation. Thanks to BikeWise and follows the coastline to Red Rocks, From Kaitoke Gate to the Summit takes This purpose built mountain bike park offers (www.bikewise.co.nz) for contributing then onto Sinclair Head. New Zealand fur about an hour. Return the same way, or something for the whole family, starting with to this article. TOTS TO TEENS DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012 Wellington13.