Welcome!
Rimutaka Forest Park is a beautiful area of mostly native forest in the hills east of New Zealand's capital city, Wellington.
It encompasses the Rimutaka Ranges and the Orongorongo River, just north of the spectacular earthquake terraces and seal colony at the Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve.
The Park is characterised by steep, bush-clad hills and narrow fern-filled valleys cut by abundant freshwater streams and the beautiful Orongorongo River.
Throughout the park, there are many well-formed and signposted walking tracks appealing to bushwalkers and nature lovers of every age and state of fitness.
The park is easily accessed by road from Wellington or Lower Hutt. Simply take the hill road to Wainuiomata and follow all the signs to the Coast Road/ Rimutaka Forest Park and then turn left at the Catchpool Stream access road into the Park. (See Map)
The Rimutaka Forest Park Charitable Trust is committed to preserve and restore the natural and historic resources of the Rimutaka Forest Park valleys and environs... (More)
It has been active in bringing about many improvements to the Park and the Catchpool Stream picnic area and camping grounds. (Download our flyer here...)
Our "Restore the Dawn Chorus" project is now in its 9th year and our "Kiwi Project" has produced a large number of beautiful baby kiwi chicks!
Restoration Planning Meeting
July 2010:- The Rimutaka Forest Park Charitable Trust is currently working with the Department of Conservation and Victoria University to develop a comprehensive restoration plan for the Rimutaka Forest Park.
At present we are in the initial stages of the planning process and are consulting widely with stakeholders and other interested parties to secure breadth and depth of inputs and ideas concerning the future management of the forest park.
Accordingly, we are issuing an open invitation to people and organisations having an interest in the park to join us for our second public meeting to discuss the plan - at the Wainuiomata Library - on Sunday 11th July, at 2.00pm.
Download the invitation and additional information about this meeting here... (Adobe PDF 123kb.)
New DVD about the park
New!! Click the DVD cover above to see viewing and download options for this excellent informational Digital Video Disk about the Rimutaka Forest Park and the Catchpool and Orongorongo Valleys.
Kiwi Spy
What's hidden down there in that deep, dark burrow? Here's a really good way to reveal all!
Read all about Alan Thompson's Kiwi Spy device here:
Why not join us?
New members are always welcome! We have many different and interesting roles to fill for keen volunteers. Learning opportunities abound and you'll enjoy the company of many great characters among our existing members! Perhaps you have some specialist skills that you'd like to contribute to assist us in attaining our long-term goals and objectives? If so, please complete the Membership Application Form here... and send it in to the Membership Secretary by mail or email. (For address details, click here...)
Download the latest issue of our newsletter by clicking
here...
(Adobe Acrobat Reader required (PDF) approx 3.3mb)
