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Jackson Street shopping, Petone © huttvalleynz.com
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Levin Lower Hutt raum ParaPpea tone u Jackson Street A lovely 20-minute walk from Lower Hutt, a trendy row of smart cafés, art galleries and boutique stores occupy this historic street. Don’t miss The Chocolate Story for superb artisan chocolates and devilishly good hot cocoa.
Te Puna Wai Ora (The Spring of Life) For something decidedly
PAEKĀKĀRIKI
unique, taste all-natural spring water from this free fountain sitting on the corner of Buick and Jackson streets.
ston FeatherPetone Settlers Museum An
Seashore Cabaret Start your day on a sunny balcony with freshly squeezed OJ. This retro café boasts one of the best views across Wellington City.
unexpected surprise along Petone's seafront. Housed in an historic building, this bijou museum details the region's past. Small from the outside, the exhibits are rich within.
Porirua
Greytown
Hutt River © Jay French BELOW RIGHT: © Staglands Wildlife Reserve
Greater Wellington
Lower Hutt The Dowse Art Museum Free entry to forward-thinking exhibits that have been known to include virtual reality. There is also a great gallery store. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Hetet Artspace An emporium of Māori artwork, comprising the Hetet School of Māori Art, art studios and The Gallery, established to develop and promote traditional Māori arts.
Petone
Percy Scenic Reserve A mere three minutes by car from the heart of Lower Hutt, find an unexpected garden area with picnic lawns, easy trails, a small cave and waterfall.
Wildfinder Days Bay Looking to explore the area by kayak, standup paddleboard or mountain bike? Head here for all your on-water/ off-road rentals. A 15-minute drive from Wainuiomata.
Featherston
Seals Wellington’s largest fur seal colony occupies Turakirae Head on the Wainuiomata Coast. Spied year-round, it’s most rewarding in winter, when up to 500 seals congregate here. Turakirae Head As well as seals, the other spectacle here is the craggy landscape. Over 7000 years, earthquakes have caused five separate beaches to raise and reposition above the sea level. Proof that you can move mountains, but you’ll need significant time and geological upheaval to do so.
Greytown
Kaitoke Regional Park Drive 40
TOP TIP: Don’t miss Aston Manor during the Cherry Blossom Festival (SeptemberOctober). With its own Cherry Lane, the vast display of candycoloured blossom is spectacular.
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minutes from the CBD and you’ll end up at the location for Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings. Film sets aside, there are multiple swimming holes along the riverbank and shingle embankments for picnics and sunbathing.
Golders Cottage One of the oldest homes in Upper Hutt, gain a fascinating insight into the lives of early pioneers.
The Staglands Wildlife Reserve
kayaker, whereas the river south of Birchville will appease beginners.
Aston Norwood Loosely based on a Japanese garden, meander from the hedge maze to the tiny bridges, ponds and a rhododendron dell (and that’s just the tip of the iceberg). Little wonder this spectacular garden, café and manor house is a top wedding venue.
Carterton
Brewtown Find the region's best
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games, ten-pin bowling, several food options and craft beer tours. All within walking distance of Upper Hutt train station.
craft breweries all under one roof (and spilling across a big green lawn with indoor and outdoor seating) there's an on-site distillery, arcade
Masterton
Frisbee Golf at Harcourt Park Home of disc golf, you'll also find a toddler's splash pool (open in summer), playground, flying fox, communal barbecues and picnic tables. Brilliant for families.
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Meet and feed a medley of wildlife in their natural environment. The animals are curious – if not a little cheeky – so you'll have plenty of (humorous) interactions.
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Raft or Kayak Hutt River Both the Hutt River gorge and rapids upstream of the Whakatikei River will challenge the experienced
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Whirinaki Whare Taonga After a $9 million renovation, this vibrant art centre (formerly known as Expressions Whirinaki) now houses three new gallery spaces, a theatre and tasty Dough Bakery.
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See Map Section - pages 111 to 123
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