Fodor's Essential New Zealand by Fodor's Travel Guides

Author:Fodor's Travel Guides
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fodor's Travel
Published: 2019-07-15T16:00:00+00:00

Akatarawa Valley

40 km (25 miles) northeast of Wellington.

Winding through the steep bush-clad hills north of Wellington, the narrow road to the Akatarawa Valley (in the Māori language, Akatarawa means “place of tangled vines”) requires a degree of driving care, but it leads to a number of hidden gems. About 35 minutes north of Wellington on State Highway 2, turn left at the clearly marked Brown Owl turnoff north of Upper Hutt. About two minutes after the turnoff, look for Harcourt Park, where a number of scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed.

A kilometer (½ mile) farther on, a bridge spanning the junction of the Hutt and Akatarawa rivers leads into the Akatarawa Valley proper. Drive over the bridge, go past the cemetery, and then on the left, look for the Blueberry Farm and nearby Bluebank Blueberry and Emu Farm. After picking to your heart’s content, continue uphill on the very winding road. On the right is the Staglands Wildlife Reserve. It’s around 7 km (4½ miles) to the summit, then the narrow road winds downhill. Look for the tiny wooden Church of St. Andrews nearby and turn right immediately for the Reikorangi Potteries. The road continues for about 3 km (2 miles) to join State Highway 1 at the Waikanae traffic lights, where you can head back to Wellington; from here, you’re about 45 minutes north of the city.

VISITOR INFORMATION

CONTACTS Upper Hutt i-SITE Visitor Information Centre. 836 Fergusson Dr., Upper Hutt 04/527–2168 www.visit.upperhuttcity.com.

s Sights

Bluebank Blueberry and Emu Farm

FARM/RANCH | This property produces delicious blueberries and is home to several emus, a large flightless bird. 1301 Akatarawa Rd., Upper Hutt 04/526–9540 www.bluebank.co.nz.

Staglands Wildlife Reserve

NATURE PRESERVE | FAMILY | Staglands offers visitors the opportunity to feed and freely interact with wildlife in a beautiful natural environment. As you wander around its 25 peaceful acres, you can walk through aviaries to ogle kea, kaka, and many more brilliantly colored birds. At the stables you’ll meet a native kune kune pig and impressive Clydesdale horse. Watch rainbow and brown trout fighting over their dinner at the Trout and Eel Pool. Have fun exploring the nooks and crannies of the re-created Old Bush Settlement. Climb to the Deer Park lookout for stunning views; then enjoy a picnic on the banks of the beautiful Akatarawa River, or dig into the scrumptious food served at the log cabin café. 2362 Akatarawa Rd., Upper Hutt 04/526–7529 www.staglands.co.nz NZ$24.

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