DoC hut passes available at i-SITE
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
IF YOU love the outdoors and the buzz of overnight stays in New Zealand’s back-country huts, the Hutt City i-SITE Visitor Centre can help out.
Passes for all the Conservation Department (DoC) huts throughout New Zealand can now be bought at the i-SITE in Laings Road, just opposite the Town Hall. The Hutt Valley is the gateway to many of the country’s best walkways and back-country huts, with Rimutaka Forest Park and the Tararua Ranges most popular.
The DoC office at Catchpool in Rimutaka Forest Park has closed recently, so the i-SITE and DoC’s office in Wellington are now the only “one-stop shops” in the area that have full back-country information and passes. This includes not only the hut passes, but also topographical maps, regional council brochures and general DoC information.
Meanwhile, the Hutt City i-SITE also has bikes for hire. i-SITE Manager Linda Goss says they are ideal for visitors who have not brought a bike with them, or for locals who don’t have a bike.
“It’s a fantastic way for the whole family to see the Hutt Valley at a leisurely pace,” Linda says. “One of the best rides is along the Hutt River Trail.”
The trail is along the riverbank only a few hundred metres from the i-SITE. It can take riders south to Petone and north to Upper Hutt, all without any major inclines and without the hassle of vehicle traffic. Trail maps are available at the i-SITE.
Helmets are included with the bike hire, which can be hourly, half day or full day.
The visitor centre has a limited number of bikes, so if you have a large group, please call in advance.
Pictured: Trampers leave a DoC hut in the Rimutaka Ranges. Photo: Rob Suisted/naturespic.com
Hutt City i-SITE Visitor Centre, 25 Laings Rd, 04 560-4715, info@huttvalleynz.com, www.huttvalleynz.com