Jans Hut even as an inside toilet. Warning: Accessing the hut requires several river crossings and should not be attempted when the river is in flood or there is sustained rainfall forecast. To conclude last year’s shared celebration of National Parks, the Department of Conservation, the US Embassy, and Rimutaka Forest Park Charitable Trust unveiled a series of native bird information panels for the Catchpool Valley of the Remutaka Forest Park, near Wellington. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 38 min to complete. A well maintained track heads up the valley, passing through beech forest. Lighting, toilet paper, matches not supplied. The park covers 220 square kilometres (85 sq mi), [2] encompassing the Catchpool Valley and the Ōrongorongo Valley at the southern end of the Remutaka Jul 22, 2020 · The Remutaka Rail Trail is an easy mountain bike ride or hike along a feat of railway engineering. The walk in to the hut is about two hours – having the kids in tow added another half an The current Waitewaewae Hut was built in 1991 on the banks of the Otaki River, It was built to replace the original hut, located 2 km upstream. There is also a population of North Island brown kiwi, reintroduced in 2006 by the Rimutaka Forest Park Trust. The hut must be booked online in advance. The kitchen and bunkrooms are closed between 9 am and 2 6. Of all DOC's historic sites two rail heritage sites were the most popular; the Central Otago The Remutaka Forest Park Trust began releasing North Island brown kiwi into the park in May 2006. The King Country 4WD group works in partnership with DOC to open and maintain 4WD tracks for public access and enjoyment. Discover this 6. The Orongorongo River is crossed 10 minutes Catchpool valley is 12 km south of Wainuiomata. O. Several Department of Conservation huts, some of them serviced, as well as basic private baches dot the Ōrongorongo Valley, mainly around the river's upper half. This is a serviced 14-bunk hut on the far side of the Ōrongorongo River. From the Catchpool Valley (the most popular entrance to Rimutaka Forest Park) you’re only a 2-3 hour easy tramp away from six awesome DOC huts, with full kitchens—including cookers, cutlery, crockery, and firewood. Passes. View saved (0) This is a serviced 32-bunk hut in the Wellington region. 45 minutes from Featherston, along Western Lake Road. Volunteers from the trust and local tramping groups spent two years controlling stoats in a 1000 ha area to provide a safe habitat for the release of up Remutaka Rail Trail. The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite. New Interpretive Signs Unveiling of Bird Interpretation Panels, Rimutaka Forest Park . The Catchpool Centre is 400 m further down the Catchpool Valley Road on your left. Managed by. The Remutaka Forest Park is a great place for camping and outdoor experiences, from easy walks to challenging wilderness hikes. Volunteers from the trust and local tramping groups spent two years controlling stoats in a 1000 ha area to provide a safe habitat for the release of up Excellent trout fishing can be found in the Whirinaki, Rangitaiki, and Whaeo rivers. Turn off SH2 onto Plateau Road at Te Marua, 6km north of Upper Hutt. GWRC permit required. The gate to the campsite is on the right before the end of the road. Easily accessible from Wellington, the area is popular with trampers and hunters. This is a locked, sole occupancy hut. Mar 30, 2012 · A couple of nights doing Hut Warden duty at the flash new Turere Lodge in the Rimutaka Forest Park. From the roadend the track starts with a boring 2km beside a drainage ditch to the park boundary. Address: 44 Ocean Beach Road, Rimutaka Forest Park 5373. Raukawa Lodge • By ianfisk. 8 km Rimutaka Railway Tunnel directly beneath. The 22,000 ha Remutaka Forest Park encompasses much of the Remutaka Range. Popular access points are south of Wainuiomata and in the upper Hutt Valley. Locked sole-occupancy hut on the Orongorongo River. The new hut is located on the site of Whareiti bivvy - the first hut in the area, which was built in 1936. Image: Andris Apse | ©. Turere Lodge • By iangeorge. Source – Map. Within Catchpool Valley are attractive short walks and access to longer bush tramps, a well maintained campground, and pleasant picnic and barbecue facilities. Follow the Coast Road for 10 km to the Remutaka Forest Park entrance, then follow the Catchpool valley road for 2 km to the car park and information area. Jul 12, 2021 · Length6. It was established in 1954, as New Zealand's first Forest Park, and is managed by the Department of Conservation The Whakanui Track takes you from Wainuiomata through to the Ōrongorongo River in the Remutaka Forest Park. Jan 22, 2020 · I booked Papatahi Hut, one of six DOC huts in the Orongorongo Valley, three months prior to our trip because the huts in the valley are so popular. Campground with toilets, showers, and gas barbecues. After 20 minutes, cross the 24-metre long timber trestle bridge constructed in 1875 on some serious footings. For information on other Department of Catchpool valley is 12 km south of Wainuiomata. Turere Lodge. This is a serviced 80-bunk hut in the Coromandel area. A warden is present at all times. Tutuwai Hut. Volunteers from the trust and local tramping groups spent two years controlling stoats in a 1000 hectacre area to provide a safe habitat for the release New Interpretive Signs Unveiling of Bird Interpretation Panels, Rimutaka Forest Park . Rimutaka Forest Park. Adult (18+ years): $10 per night. The Remutaka Forest Park Trust began releasing North Island brown kiwi into the park in May 2006. The Department of Conservation (DOC) owns the park and the area covered is approximately 22,000 hectares or 220 square kilometres. There is also There’s the option of booking a hut through DOC for kids that can walk to the river (and beyond!) and spending the night in this forest. In 2007 the Automobile Association asked over 20,000 New Zealanders to identify the ' — places they most wanted to '101 Must-Do’s for Kiwis visit. Some materials were strapped onto pack frames and carried in. It can be walked as a return trip, or connected with the Big Bend Track or Mt McKerrow Track finishing at Catchpool carpark, or with Papatahi Crossing to finish in the Wairarapa. This is a serviced 10-bunk hut in the Wellington region. Drive 2. You'll find out if a hut needs to be booked or not on the hut web page: Find a bookable hut. The track follows the river all the way to the hut alternating from one side to the other. About: Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre provides visitor information for this area. Park boundary follows SH2 from the summit east to the ridge between Prince and Owhanga Rivers. Photo: Brian Dobbie. View saved (0) This is a serviced 10-bunk hut in the Wellington region. From here, it’s straight into wet feet territory with a descent into, and crossing of, the Waiorongomai River. You can also follow the riverbed, which is quicker, but the turn off is not marked. Catchpool Centre which is bookable, has toilets, and a 24 Waipakihi Hut is popular with both hunters and trampers out to explore the southern end of the Kaimanawa Forest Park. 5 km towards the top carpark. Volunteers from the trust and local tramping groups spent two years controlling stoats in a 1000 ha area to provide a safe habitat for the release of up Conservation Act 1987 s. Catchpool Valley is undergoing a transformation as pine trees Rimutaka Forest Park is a 40 minute drive from Wellington city. 2 Comments on the facilities network 16 Section Two 18 7. It was established in 1972 and has expanded since. From there, a number of day and multi-day tracks, ranging from walking tracks to routes, continue deeper into the Rimutaka Forest Park. Don Herron — 18/05/2015 — 18/05/2015 Remutaka Forest Park (spelled Rimutaka Forest Park prior to 2017) is a protected area near Wellington, New Zealand. It was the first ever kiwi translocation planned and executed entirely by an independent trust. Box 5086 Wellington 6145 New Zealand… Rimutaka Forest Park is a 40 minute drive from Wellington city. This is a 20-bunk hut in the Tauherenikau Valley. Make sure you include: – Large trees that form the canopy (roof) of the forest – Smaller trees growing under the canopy Paua Hut is located on the banks of the Orongorongo River in the Remutaka State Forest Park (also known as the Orongorongos), approximately 2 hours easy walk from the Remutaka Forest Park car park at the Catchpool. Rimutaka Forest Park is a recreational haven. Wellington/Kapiti information. Raukawa Lodge. Located in Remutaka Forest Park in the Wairarapa and Wellington/Kapiti regions. The section from the Orongorongo Track to the summit of Mt McKerrow is really steep and technical in places. 2 hours from the Catchpool carpark. The hut is made up of a central kitchen area with wood burner, table and sink with internal water; and a bunk room sleeping six to either side. This weekend, my friends and I set off for our third annual mum’s weekend away to the Orongorongo Valley, in the Rimutaka Forest Park. Exiting the tunnel on the left is a concrete ventilation shaft connected to the present-day 8. Follow the Coast Road for 12 km, then turn left into the Remutaka Forest Park entrance. There is also a function building— the Catchpool Centre—toilets, and a 24-hour emergency telephone. One hut even has a gas BBQ, inside flushing toilet and a hot shower. This is a popular site so book well in advance. Volunteers from the trust and local tramping groups spent two years controlling stoats in a 1000 ha area to provide a safe habitat for the release of up Remutaka Forest Park. Cold shower, solar lighting, BBQ, gas cookers and a solid fuel burner. Overview. Mar 13, 2013 · We went into Raukawa Hut near Wellington with a group of mums and kids. The car . nz. The Explore Rimutaka Forest Park education kit is the property of the Department of Conservation. the Rimutaka Forest Park. A tidy, quiet hut with about 1 party/month, more in summer / roar. DOC manages a network of over 950 huts of all shapes and sizes. Catchpool Valley is undergoing a transformation as pine trees have been removed to enable the return of native forest. Despite the valley’s private huts providing hundreds of children with the opportunity to connect with nature, their future is tenuous. Routes across the tops are recommended for experienced trampers only. This lodge is sole occupancy and locked – refer to your booking confirmation for how to obtain the access code. Decisions 21 Tararua Forest Park 21 Aorangi Forest Park 32 Rimutaka Forest Park 34 Islands 35 Other (walkways etc) 36 9. A short history of hut building. DOC Turere Lodge. It is located along the Remutaka Ranges between Wellington and the Wairarapa plains. Reach the hut through the river valley itself, or via the Urchin and Umukarikari tracks. The hut is locked and must be booked in advance to gain access. It can be walked as one way return or connect to the Big Bend and Orongorongo Tracks finishing at Catchpool carpark, or tramp through to the Wairarapa on the Papatahi Crossing via Shamrock and Wharepapa huts. Totara Flats hut is found on the Holdsworth to Kaitoke Track, Tararua Forest Park. Within the valley there are short walks, a campground, and picnic and free barbecue facilities. Blue Range Hut Department of Conservation — 24/04/2014 Tararua Forest Park is home to almost 50 backcountry huts, ranger Don Herron tells us why Blue Range Hut is his favourite. Booking and paying for huts. We pass various picnicking spots and a campsite along the way until we reach a car park with its very own information shelter and maps. The track follows the Waiohine and Tauherenikau Rivers for 36 km between Holdsworth and Kaitoke and is a good introduction for trampers new to the Tararuas. Orongorongo Track, 2 hours from road end to the Turere Bridge, then downstream 700m on the true left. Mar 11, 2024 · Remutaka Forest Park Reserve / Park See the Remutaka definition. Picnic areas – both open and secluded spots along Catchpool Road. This included many necessary scroggin and chocolate stops, which kept everyone well fuelled. Infant (0–4 years): free. Find a bookable hut. Quite easy to miss the turnoff if you head up the main Rimutaka Forest Park is about 45 mins drive from Wellington city, so it was easy to leave after school on a sunny Friday afternoon. It includes Orongorongo Valley and its booked huts - bookings can be made via the online booking system or by contacting the Wellington Visitor Centre. Being only 45-minutes’ drive from Wellington, the area offers diverse forest and interesting waterways, and has a variety of tracks for all ages and fitness levels. Select a DOC track to get the latest conditions and build your own plan with the Mountain Safety Council to share with others. Jan 10, 2019 · Explore Rimutaka Forest Park Education resource May 2012 MAY 2012 Published by: Department of Conservation Kapiti Wellington Area P. Access into the north block is along Waitaramoa Rd, off SH30 (the Te Kuiti – Mangakino Highway) almost opposite the Pureora Field Base. A small gap in the bush reveals a path heading steeply up to the hut. The Whakanui Track takes you from Wainuiomata through to the Orongorongo River in the Rimutaka Forest Park. 1. These huts in Tararua Forest Park can be reached within a 6 hour walk from a road end, making them suitable for overnight or weekend trips. You’ll need to take your own food and Papatahi Hut. The Rimutaka Forest Park Trust began releasing North Island brown kiwi into the park in May 2006. The hut can be accessed from either Waiohine Gorge roadend in Wairarapa or Kaitoke/Marchant Roads north of Upper Hutt. Department of Conservation Dec 7, 2016 · DOC has developed an all-mod-cons cabin in Rimutaka Forest Park. There are several DOC huts in the Orongorongo Valley that can be booked. May 5, 2016 · Jans Hut is the perfect place to go if you have young children and you want to introduce them to tramping. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. South of Wainuiomata follow the Coast Rd for 10 km to the main Remutaka Forest Park entrance. Book a DOC serviced hut and get going. Ph: +64 4 526 4133. Bookings are required in advance. Email: nelsonvc@doc. The Tararua Forest Park is often plagued by bad weather, and especially the open tops are exposed to cold southerlies, the cause of several fatalities over the years. Find out how to book and pay for your stay in a DOC hut, including information on backcountry hut passes and backcountry hut tickets. May 26, 2023 · Catchpool Valley is the most popular entrance to Rimutaka Forest Park. Pararaki Hut, Tararua Forest Park Hut; Wild animal control Hut, 1964 Yes Rimutaka Incline, Rimutaka Forest Park Transport–rail; Settlement Railway route, 1878 Tunnels (3), 1878 Village ruins, 1878 Yes Hawkes Bay Area Office Telephone 06 834 3111 Ellis Hut, Ruahine Forest Park Huts; Wild animal control; Farming– high country Hut, 1884 Yes Mount McKerrow Loop Track is located in Rimutaka Forest Park, not far from Lower Hutt. Wellington hunting. Mar 24, 2016 · Totara Flats Hut. The hut has mattresses, river water and an open fireplace. govt. Current licences end with the death of the licensees without the ability to transfer them to family. 10 km. This hut is locked. Making decisions—the Department’s response 19 8. A signposted path climbs steeply to the hut on a river terrace. From the trailhead on Incline Road, the trail offers a pleasant 1:30 grade that climbs adjacent to Pakuratahi River and through an old pine plantation and then regenerating native bush. It includes Ōrongorongo Valley and its booked huts with walks for all ages and fitness levels. Look for the floor (ground cover), the upstairs level, the roof (canopy). Weather conditions can change very quickly, and trampers always need to be prepared for the worst conditions. We stuff ourselves with a quick sandwich in the information shelter before picking a track to tackle. May 18, 2023 · It’s a lovely place to have a picnic before or after the tramp. The walk in to the hut is about two hours – having the kids in tow added another half an hour. DOC said the area attracts 25,000 visitors a year. Catchpool Valley is the most popular entrance to Remutaka Forest Park. The most popular entrance to the park is past Minginui village Catchpool valley is 12 km south of Wainuiomata. View saved (0) Fit and experienced trampers can cross the Remutaka Range via Papatahi (902 m) from mid-Ōrongorongo valley to the Wairarapa side of the Remutaka Forest Park. My son, me and my partner taking a scroggin break. A permit is required from the Department of Conservation as this track passes through the Tararua Forest Park; By car Tunnel Gully and Mt Climie. Child (5–17 years): $5 per night. Located in the Wairarapa and Wellington/Kapiti regions. 1 miElevation gain853 ftRoute typeOut & back. Volunteers from the trust and local tramping groups spent two years controlling stoats in a 1000 ha area to provide a safe habitat for the release of up Jul 17, 2014 · From the Catchpool Valley (the most popular entrance to Rimutaka Forest Park) you’re only a 2-3 hour easy tramp away from six awesome DOC huts, with full kitchens—including cookers, cutlery, crockery, and firewood. This page lists businesses that have DOC's approval to operate in the areas it manages and can display the DOC Approved label. Know before you go. Stay in a hut. Book a hut on our booking system. Drive south from Featherston along the Western Lake Rd, and then west on Rimutaka Forest Park. Easily accessible from Wellington, the area is popular with hikers and hunters. Places to go. The Wellington region offers hunting on public conservation land. The rule of three… Three loves The Department manages a diverse range of rail heritage sites that are becoming increasingly popular. Phone: +64 3 546 9339. Category. Wharepapa Hut - a large 5-bunk (8 mattresses) hut 6km from the Wairarapa roadend in the Rimutakas. Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is 90 km southeast of Rotorua, off Te Whaiti Rd, via SH38. A school had the hut fully booked both nights and it was great to see the kids enjoying the bush experience—for many of them, their first time. The huts are sole occupancy which means that you won’t have to share it with strangers and have a good range of basic supplies like eating and cooking utensils. The hut has 4 sole-occupancy bunk rooms which must be booked. The hut has shared kitchen and living space, with cookers, utensils, pots, pans, crockery. The 22,000 hectare Remutaka Forest Park encompasses much of the Remutaka Range, which divides the Hutt Valley from the Wairarapa Plains. • Sketch the structure of this area of forest. Book online. 5. Waiorongomai Hut is a basic 4-bunk hut at the forks of the Oreore Stream and Waiorongomai River. 2 km one way. By Angeline Barnes, Outreach and Education Coordinator – Lower North Island. Fees The northern block of the Pureora Forest Park has areas available for four wheel driving. Some volunteer for Search and Rescue and maintain trap lines for the Rimutaka Forest Park Trust kiwi project. This track is part of the Remutaka Cycle Trail (Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Papatahi Crossing. 1-mile out-and-back trail near Wellington, Wellington. Its area is 1,150 square kilometres (440 sq mi), and its highest point, a peak called Mitre, is at 1571 m above sea level. Located in Catchpool Valley & Ōrongorongo Valley and Remutaka Forest Park in the Wellington/Kapiti region. Locked hut on the Orongorongo River. Totara Flats Hut. Each bunk room sleeps 8. One hut even has a gas BBQ, inside flushing toilet and a hot The Remutaka Forest Park Trust began releasing North Island brown kiwi into the park in May 2006. Longfin tuna (eels) and several other species of native fish also live in these river systems. Volunteers from the trust and local tramping groups spent two years controlling stoats in a 1000 ha area to provide a safe habitat for the release of up Feb 15, 2024 · Marchant Road (Kaitoke Shelter) via the Puffer Track. After use please contact the DOC Wellington Visitor Centre, phone 04 384 7770 to arrange the kit’s return. Volunteers from the trust and local tramping groups spent two years controlling stoats in a 1000 ha area to provide a safe habitat for the release of up lots of different forest plants. The track turns south-east at the tunnel ventilation shaft The Remutaka Forest Park Trust began releasing North Island brown kiwi into the park in May 2006. • Compare the structure of this area of forest to a house. May 18, 2015 · Exploring Rimutaka’s goblin forest. Fees are $40 (January 2017). The access gate to the Catchpool Valley closes at 6 pm in winter and 8 pm in summer. Ford the river straight over from the end of the Orongorongo Track and walk upriver about 100 metres. Eight species of moa once roamed this area, which is still inhabited by native birdlife, including bellbirds, tūī, moreporks and kererū. The original hut was built by the Hutt Valley Tramping Club in 1950. Coast Road Cabin is much more than your average hut, with three bedrooms, full kitchen facilities, heating, lighting, and, get this: hot showers. The driveway into the campsite is gravel. Parks & recreation. Overview of decisions in terms of recreation facilities If your key ingredients are good company, good food, easy travel, light exercise, swimming, laughter and peace and tranquilly, I have the solution for you. View saved (0) This popular, easy walk passes through different forest types and has swimming holes at the end of the track - it's ideal for families. Tararua Forest Park, often called the Tararuas is a protected area in the Wellington region of New Zealand. In heavy rain you may need to drive across a concreted stream ford. Find businesses that are DOC-approved to provide activities and services in conservation areas in the Wellington/Kapiti region. From the earthquake activity in the area to the Maori history Papatahi Hut is a 3 hr 30 min walk from the Catchpool car park via the Ōrongorongo and Big Bend Tracks. This trip is best done in dry weather, as there are frequent river crossings. Ōrongorongo Track. The Wellington region encompasses Wellington, Lower and Upper Hutt, the western part of Rimutaka Forest Park, the South Wellington Coast from Ōwhiro Bay to Makara and the coast from Eastbourne to beyond Turakirae Head. They provide unique places to stay, refuge from bad weather, or rest and recover when you're out exploring the outdoors. Follow the signs to the park entrance at the end of Plateau Road. River water, open fire, toilet. Orongorongo Track, 2 hours from road end, then 40 minutes along the Big Bend Track. Remutaka Summit: SH2 just downhill from the summit on the Upper Hutt side. The hut sits back from the river in a small clearing in mature podocarp bush, about 100m below the confluence. There’s not a stack of views, but the ones you get are magnificent. It is The Remutaka Forest Park Trust began releasing North Island brown kiwi into the park in May 2006. 19 - Conservation Park. View from Mt Heale Hut, on Great Barrier Island Aotea. One hut even has a gas BBQ, inside flushing toilet and a hot Catchpool valley is 12 km south of Wainuiomata. Kaitoke: Remutaka Incline and Pakuratahi River, access to the Greater Wellington Regional Council Upper Pakuratahi Forest Hunting Area. The cabin is at the entrance to the Catchpool Valley, on Coast Road, near Wellington. Located in Remutaka Forest Park in the Wairarapa region. a number of booked huts including the 32 bunk Turere Lodge, which is suitable for school groups. It is locked and must be booked in advance to gain access. If the water is flowing over the ford on the road, park before the ford and use the Nga Taonga Nature Walk to reach the car park. Mar 4, 2014 · Huts / Mums on the run to Papatahi Hut; Department of Conservation — 04/03/2014. 1 Comments – huts, tracks, structures etc 14 6. Rimutaka Forest Park is about 45 mins drive from Wellington city, so it was easy to leave after school on a sunny Friday afternoon. The track begins from Hine Road/Sunny Grove in Wainuiomata. It's a challenging hike suitable for fit trampers only. Located in the Wellington/Kapiti region. Our mantra is Getting there. Catchpool Valley is the most popular entrance to the Rimutaka Forest Park. Huts have been built in the Orongorongo Valley since the early 1900s – though they look a little different from today’s modern DOC huts! Early huts were built from materials at hand – manuka poles as framing and totara for piles. Enquire about access in advance. For further information on Rimutaka Forest Park please contact the DOC Wellington Visitor Centre. The hut has a gas cooker, utensils, pots, pans, crockery, flush toilet, and even a wetback for hot showers! Lighting, toilet paper, matches not supplied. They have gas cookers, pots, pans, crockery and cutlery. If you miss it then there is a marked "back door" track further up the river. Built in 1878, this rail route between the Hutt Valley and Featherston is now a gently graded 18 km walk, run or mountain bike ride, with opportunities for camping, swimming and fishing. To get to Remutaka Forest Park, follow the instructions in the Remutaka Trust website and park in the Catchpool car park. Water is limited and not always available. nn tn uk sp fr io cj qh fy vv