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Forest and Bird, Issue 298, 1 November 2000, Unnumbered Page

8e0/0 1 TAKE A BREAK, EXPLORE WELLINGTON' S 0 UN � , REGIONAL PARKS 8 FORESTS AKATARAWA FOREST EAST The Akatarawa Forest, between Upper Hutt and Paraparaumu, was originally a complex mixture of HARBOUR REGIONAL PARK lowland podocarp-hardwood and podocarp-beech forest. Between 1930 and 1972 much of the easily accessible East Harbour Regional Park, on the eastern side of rimu, matai, totara, kahikatea and miro were logged. Wellington Harbour; comprises public land between QUEEN Today there is an extensive network of roads and old Wainuiomata, Eastbourne and the coast to Baring Head ELIZABETH logging tracks through regenerating bush and pine trees Tracks give access to bush-clad hills, sheltered valleys, PARK The tracks provide access for walking, swimming, freshwater wetlands of national importance, rocky mountain biking; trail biking and hunting; Hunters, headlands and sweeping bays Located between Paekakariki and Raumati, Queen trail bikers and motor vehicle drivers require permits. Elizabeth Park is ideal for picnics, swimming and surfing: Other attractions include easy walks along the sand dunes, fishing; a motorcamp and the tram museum The seaward dunes attract gulls and wading birds_ Spurwinged plovers may be seen near the wetlands which are home to paradise ducks, pied stilts and herons KAITOKE BATTLE HILL REGIONAL PARK #GE FARM FOREST PARK The steep, bush-clad Kaitoke hills north of Upper Hutt Battle Hill Farm Forest Park is the site of the 1846 enclose sheltered picnic and camping facilities_ You can battle between Te Rangihaeta and Crown forces. The try whitewater rafting down the rugged Hutt Gorge, The Hutt River (Te Awa kai rangi) flows through the original farm buildings homestead, cottage, barn and swim in tranquil river pools, or enjoy a variety of bush Hutt Valley from its source in the southern Tararua woolshed have been restored to maintain their historic walks (some suitable for wheelchairs) Ranges. In the early days the river was an important character transport link for both Maori and later; European Tracks explore magnificent native forest with tramps settlers. A foot track along its banks extended to the Tracks lead through a native bush reserve along the of up to three hours. Great views can be had of the Wairarapa over Rimutaka Hill. Horokiri Stream and to the hill tops for panoramic Upper Hutt Valley from the Ridge Track Canoeing; views of Pauatahanui Walking; picnicking, mountain fishing and hunting are also popular activities at the The Hutt River Trail re-establishes the lower section of biking and horse riding are popular activities Park the track to provide routes for cyclists and walkers as well as access to the river for swimming; fishing and canoeing: Kapiti Island Paraparaumu Waikanae North Island 0 PAKURATAHI QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 BELMONT FOREST REGIONAL PARK South Island AKATARAWA Hutt Water Collection Area Pakuratahi Forest, in the Rimutaka Ranges northeast The rolling hills, bush-clad valleys and farm land between of Upper Hutt, includes both pine and native forests. 1 KAITOKE Porirua and the Hutt Valley provide an ideal place for Forest tracks provide access for a range of recreation PBATTLE HilL] horse riding; cross country running and mountain activities, including walking; swimming, mountain Mana Island biking and hunting: SA58 T@uma RHGAK^ biking: Porirua Upper Hutt BELMONT Short easy walks lead to sheltered picnic areas by the The Rimutaka Incline Recreation Area offers an easy PAKURATAHI Lower Hutt^ Korokoro Stream. On longer hill top tramps you can graded 18 km walk that passes through historic tunnels 3 HUTT RIVER TRAIL | enjoy panoramic views of the South Island and the and over bridges following the route of the 1870's Petone Wainuiomatal Porirua and Wellington Harbours Wellington-to-Wairarapa railway line. Wainuiomata Orongorongo 4 Water Eastbourne Collection Area Lake Historic features worth visiting include the Korokoro Tane' s Track in Tunnel Gully Recreation Area sidles WAINUIOMATA Wairarapa WATERWORKS Dam, World War Two ammunition stores and the through hard and black beech forest to Collins Stream Wellington RECREATION AREA EAST HARBOUR original coach road from Wellington: Geological features and then through podocarp/tawa forest back to the such as boulder block fields and peneplain remnants lower picnic area Mt Climie can be reached from the Pencarrow Head are also of interest upper picnic area Baring Heac Palliser Bay For more information check out our website wwW wrc-govt nz or phone 04-384 5708, freephone 0800 496 734 or pick up a brochure from the Wellington Regional Council PO Box 11 646, Wellington WELLINGTON REGIONAL COUNCIL :