Discover the Hutt Valley

Covered in large areas of dense native bush, the Hutt Valley is home to 3,000 hectares of parks, forest trails, and idyllic beaches. Four regional parks allow you to explore all corners of the region. Discover unforgettable landscapes, jaw-dropping views, and scenes from ‘The Lord of the Rings’.

Nature is never far from your doorstep. You can interact with native creatures and farmyard animals at Staglands Wildlife Reserve in Upper Hutt. Or see the region’s largest colony of New Zealand fur seals at Turakirae Head. Everywhere you go, native birdsong provides a peaceful soundtrack.

Te Awa Kairangi is a unique source of recreation and adventure. The 18km scenic Hutt River Trail meanders along its banks, linking up with the Remutaka Cycle Trail, one of New Zealand’s Great Rides. The upper section of the river offers thrilling whitewater rafting adventures, while the banks of the lower section host a fresh produce market on weekends.

The Hutt Valley has plenty of delicious food and craft beer. Brewtown is a haven of locally-brewed craft beer, hearty food, and entertainment. Petone and Upper Hutt are full of fun and quirky cafés, boutiques, and second-hand stores. The seaside villages of Eastbourne and Days Bay offer relaxed restaurants, quaint shops, and coastal charm.

It’s also a place of creativity and imagination. Home to more than 3,500 unique objects, The Dowse Art Museum is well worth a visit. Its boundary-pushing contemporary exhibitions blow traditional expectations of art wide open.