Remutaka Cycle Trail's Hidden Secrets

These secret spots will take your Remutaka ride to the next level.

Te Puna Wai Ora – the spring of life

Looking for some fresh, pure water to fill up your drink bottle? Head to Te Puna Wai Ora fountain on the corner of Buick and Jackson Streets. It taps into the Waiwhetu aquifer deep below the Hutt Valley, and has been quenching the thirst of locals since 1880.

Directions: at Petone Settlers Museum on the Petone Esplanade, head up Buick Street where you’ll find Te Puna Wai Ora spring, sculptures and filling stations. Return the same way to rejoin the cycle trail.

The striking Te Puna Wai Ora sculptures by Louise Purvis (Hutt Valley NZ)

Riverbank Market riches

Lower Hutt’s Riverbank Market is a great reason to ride the Hutt River Trail on a Saturday. Stock up on picnic supplies from local producers or fuel up at the convoy of food trucks.

Directions: 50/56 Rutherford Street, Lower Hutt. The market is located beside the trail, just past the city centre, downstream of the Melling Link Bridge.

Colourful goodness at the weekly Riverbank Market (Hutt Valley NZ)

Swimming on the Incline 

Cool off on your climb up the Remutaka Rail Trail with a refreshing dip in the Pakuratahi River at the pretty Ladle Bend campsite. 

Directions: at around the trail’s 50km mark, just beyond the graceful 70m Ladle Bend bridge, keep an eye out for the track down to the river and camp.

The Pakuratahi River swimming spot near Ladle Bend (Tim Bardsley-Smith)

Spot seals on the wild Cook Strait coast

Turakirae Head is a wonderfully rugged spot for seeing kekeno/New Zealand fur seals. In winter around 500 of the blubbery creatures haul themselves onto the rocks and call the place home – it’s the Wellington region’s largest colony.

Directions: on the Wild Coast section, around 2km from the Orongorongo trail end. Look out for the seal colony sign; it’s a short walk and scramble across rounded boulders from there.

There's plenty of honking at the Turakirae Head haul-out (Lee Slater)
 

Download the Great Rides App

This awesome (and free) app will help you locate the trail’s hidden secrets, and track your adventure using GPS (no mobile signal required). It also has maps, trail descriptions and info on trail services. 

Download the app from:

 

Find out more about the Remutaka Cycle Trail here.