Outdoors opportunities close to home
Fancy grabbing some gravel this weekend? How about taking a kid tramping? Or learning something new in a guided tour to explore the fascinating ecology of a popular park? All these opportunities for fun in the sun are on offer this weekend (13-14 February) in Greater Wellington’s Great Outdoors summer events programme.
The Hutt Great Gravel Grab
Help prevent flooding in the Hutt Valley by taking your trailer to the Hutt River to gather stones for your garden. “It’s a great opportunity to get free gravel from alongside the river – usually you need special permission from Greater Wellington. Plus you can find out more about what we’re doing on the river to protect homes from floods,” says Hutt River Ranger Thane Walls.
When: Saturday 13 February, 10am-2pm
Where: Hutt River Trail, Moonshine Park
Bring: Trailer and shovel
Take a Kid Tramping
“There’s no greater treasure a parent can give a child than to introduce them to the great outdoors,” says the Mountain Safety Council’s Chris Tews. Join Chris in Kaitoke Regional Park and help your child discover the outdoors while learning essential outdoor skills such as trip planning, navigation and river safety.
When: Sunday 14 February, 9.30am-3pm
Where: Kaitoke Regional Park, Waterworks Road
Cost: $20 per adult and youth (10 years+), $5 per additional youth, max 2 youths per adult
Bookings essential, call 04 801 1041 or email bookings@gw.govt.nz
Creek to Peak
Explore Belmont Regional Park’s Dry Creek and Boulder Hill in a free guided walk with ecologist Mary McIntyre from the Friends of Belmont Regional Park. “It’s a beautiful walk that’s perfect for showing what’s happening in the park’s natural and modified landscapes,” says Mary. Good fitness required.
When: Sunday 14 February, 10am-2pm
Where: Belmont Regional Park, Dry Creek entrance
Bookings essential, call 04 801 1041 or email bookings@gw.govt.nz