Akatarawa Forest

Greater Wellington Regional Council

Akatarawa Forest

http://www.gw.govt.nz/akatarawa

Karapoti Road, Akatarawa, Upper Hutt, 5372

Turn off State Highway 2 at Akatarawa Rd towards Waikanae and follow for 6km. Turn left onto Karapoti Road and follow this to the park entrance.

For more information about other entrances check the Getting there tab in left hand menu.

Opening hours

Daily from 8am until dusk

McGhies Road - Slip - Please see Forest News for more detail

The Akatarawa Forest is now open to hunting with dogs from 1 February - permit required

Hydro Road in Puketiro is closed until further notice - please see 'Forest News' for more information

About the Akatarawa Forest

Covering 15,000 hectares of wilderness area between Upper Hutt and the Kapiti Coast, the Akatarawa Forest is a rugged blend of native and exotic forest. Mountain, quad and trail bikers find a variety of gentle and challenging routes along the tracks and old logging roads. Also popular for horse riding, fishing, hunting and tramping, the Akatarawa Forest provides enjoyable and testing terrain for 4WD-vehicle club trips.

Things to do

Firewood collection

Horse riding

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Hunting

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Motorised recreation user code

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Mountain biking and cycling

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Walking, running and tramping

Aka walking Birchville dam

Park history

History

The Akatarawa Forest covers hill country between Upper Hutt and Paraparaumu. Translated to English, Akatarawa means 'trailing vines'. MÄori used the forest for hunting and food gathering as well as an access trail to and from the Hutt Valley. The indigenous (native) forest of the area, covering approximately 14,000 hectares, has changed considerably since European settlement. These changes have been brought about by the introduction of animals, fires and logging of native timber including rimu.

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