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Rimutaka Forest Park

Bush Tracks / Beach Access

Difficulty: Easy to difficult tracks
Bring: Picnic/BBQ supplies
Rimutaka Forest Park
NZGps: 41° 20' 55.3992" S 174° 55' 46.6176" E
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Average: 4 (1 vote)

Rimutaka is a super-popular forest park easily accessed by both Wellington and the Hutts. Expect weekend crowds. The main attractions of this park are a bunch of relatively easy and well made tracks throughout the dense bush as well as picnic and camping areas alongside the pleasant Catchpool stream.

A highlight is the Orongorongo Track—referred to as “one of New Zealand’s most popular trails.” It’s 50 minutes one-way to the Orongorongo River junction, the entire way a captivating bush walk filled with birdsong and stream gurgles…ahhhh. Amazingly, there are NO STEPS the entire one hour length—maybe the only step-free bush walk on the island! Look up as you stroll...no steps or roots to trip you up…yay! Reaching the river junction you’ll find a surprisingly wide-open sunny canyon where you can explore either up or down stream to find your own private spot…or survey the nearby huts.

The 5-mile/Middle Ridge loop is a great 45-minute jaunt, a little steeper…more bush and stream, roots and rocks, views at the top, and a neat Beech and Rata forest where you may even spy a possum putting the munch to a Rata. Add the Catchpool loop for an extra 20 minutes.

Excerpt from "NZ Frenzy Guidebook" by Scott CookNZ Frenzy Guidebook

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Lovely stroll through the

beatsmilking's picture

Lovely stroll through the forest on sunny afternoon - great spot at the end for picnic next to the river.

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Submitted by beatsmilking on Thu, 2014-03-27 10:54