Nestled between the harbour, the hills, and the river, the Hutt Valley is a gateway to the great outdoors.

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.

People kayaking down a river.
Group of people walking under Brewtown sign in Upper Hutt.
A person leaps across a stream while another follows, on the East harbour Regional park Kowhai Street track.
Parents crouch down with their child, looking at pigs at Staglands in Upper Hutt.
The car and motorcycle themed interior of Gear Street union.

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 secondhand 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.

Group of friends taking a break from walking and laying out a small picnic in the middle of a forest at Butterfly Creek.

Looking for more in the Hutt Valley?

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Customers sitting at tables inside The House of Good Fortune.

Petone: An eclectic seaside suburb packed full of character

Full of colour and history, Petone is an eclectic seaside suburb known for its great cafés and restaurants, speciality boutiques, and coastal views.

A family with a young child play with piglets on the grass at Staglands.

Staglands Wildlife Reserve

Nestled in Wellington’s Hutt Valley, you’ll find Staglands Wildlife Reserve, a kid-friendly experience where you can interact with native animals.

An adult and child cycle along the Hutt River Trail.

Hutt River Trail section

Remutaka Cycle Trail Great RideThe Hutt River Trail section of the Remutaka Cycle trail is an easy, flat ride along the Hutt River, with swimming and picnic stops along the way.

Mountain bikers on hill overlooking Wellington Harbour on Pencarrow Coast Road Trail.

Lower Hutt: A vibrant city with a big green backyard

The vibrant city of Lower Hutt offers great big outdoor adventures, boundary-pushing art, and shopping experiences.

2 poeple standing underneath the Pencarrow lighthouse, with the ocean int eh background.

Visit majestic lighthouses and idyllic beaches in Eastbourne and Days Bay

Pretty and picturesque, the seaside villages of Eastbourne and Days Bay are full of charm.

A family walks towards the Dowse Museum in Lower Hutt.

The Dowse Art Museum

The Dowse Art Museum is a contemporary art gallery in Lower Hutt. It has found its niche in the applied arts with a collection of more than 3,500 objects.

Three people standing on top of Birchville Dam. Green trees and bushes surround them.

Delicious craft beer and thrilling adventures in Upper Hutt

Home to outdoor adventures, big green spaces, and craft beer haven, Brewtown. Find the unexpected around every corner in this small city that’s big on fun.

Three people drinking beer in front of Brewtown sign in Upper Hutt.

Brewtown Upper Hutt

Brewtown is the ultimate destination for craft beer, food, and entertainment. A short walk from the train station, you’ll find Wellington’s top breweries.

Person walking across a bridge through bush on the Ōrongorongo Track and Valley, Remutaka Forest Park, Wainuiomata.

Adventure into the Wainuiomata wilderness

Packed with mountain bike trails and bush walks, Wainuiomata is full of adventure.