Rimutaka Forest Park brochure - Department of Conservation

How to get to Catchpool Valley
Catchpool Valley is a 45 minute
drive from Wellington. The
entrance to the park is on
Coast Road, 12 km south of
Wainuiomata. The entrance
gates at Coast Road close at
dusk and reopen at 8 a.m.
Please remember
WELLINGTON
COA ST ROA D
Catchpool
Turakirae Head
WAINUIOMATA
UPPER UPPER HUTT
HUTT
Palliser Bay
Lake
Wairarapa
Dogs must be kept on a leash except in the Dog Exercise Area
opposite the Catchpool Centre (see map).
Dogs are not permitted at all in the Turere catchment kiwi zone
or the Landcare Research area (see map).
Vehicle access to the Orongorongo Valley is by permit only.
Do not carry loaded fi rearms in Catchpool Valley.
Shooting is prohibited in Catchpool Valley and the
Orongorongo River bed.
Fires are not permitted in Catchpool Valley.
Please exercise extreme care with fi res in the Orongorongo
Valley.
Mountain bikes are not permitted on walking tracks.
Rubbish bins are not provided. Please take rubbish with you
when you leave.
Take care visiting natural areas
Check, Clean, Dry
Stop the spread of didymo and other freshwater
pests. Remember to Check, Clean, Dry all items
before entering, and when moving between,
waterways.
Protect plants and Camp carefully
animals
Keep to the track
Remove rubbish Respect our
Bury toilet waste cultural heritage
Keep streams and
lakes clean
Take care with fi res
Toitu te whenua
(Leave the land
undisturbed)
For your safety
Communication
There is no cell phone or radio communication in the Catchpool
and Orongorongo valleys. A public phone is situated at the
Catchpool Centre.
Be prepared
• Always take warm, waterproof clothing, food and drink, even
on short walks. Stout shoes or walking boots should be worn
on tramping tracks.
• Groups on overnight trips should always include experienced
trampers.
• Check the weather forecast—the weather in the forest park
can change rapidly.
• Always tell someone where you are going.
• Maps are recommended for longer trips. Use NZTopo50,
BQ32 Hutt Valley.
• If the ford across Catchpool Valley Road is fl ooded, do not
attempt to drive through it.
• The Orongorongo River rises quickly. Do not attempt to cross
swollen rivers or streams.
If you think there is a safety hazard
in a conservation area, call DOC
HOTline or the nearest DOC o ce.
Further information
For further information please contact or visit:
DOC Wellington Visitor Centre
18–32 Manners St, P.O. Box 10-420, Wellington 6143
Phone: 04 384 7770 E-mail: wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz
For further information about recreation activities and
conservation visit: www.doc.govt.nz
Cover: Catchpool Stream.
Photo: Jeremy Rolfe
Published by
Department of Conservation
Kapiti Wellington Area
P.O. Box 5086, Wellington 6145
October 2011
9 421005 172522
Rimutaka
Forest Park
Catchpool Valley and
Orongorongo Valley

Catchpool Valley is the most popular
entrance to Rimutaka Forest Park. Within
Catchpool Valley are short walks suitable
for all ages and fi tness levels. There’s also
access through di erent bush types to
longer tramps via the Orongorongo Valley.
Catchpool Valley has a well-maintained
campground which puts you within close
reach of tracks, picnic sites and safe
swimming spots in Catchpool and Grace’s
streams. You can also hire your own DOC
hut in the Orongorongo Valley.
Beech forest dominates much of the park,
joined by podocarps at lower altitudes.
These These forests support hundreds of of indigenous
plant species and provide habitat for a range
of invertebrates, freshwater fi sh, reptiles and birds
including reintroduced brown kiwi.
Catchpool Centre
The Catchpool Centre is available to hire for groups
up to 50 people. With kitchen facilities, wood
burning stove, a large function room and lawn area,
it is ideal for corporate and social functions and
education and community groups.
For more information and to book, contact the
DOC Wellington Visitor Centre on 04 384 7770,
wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz.
Photo: DOC.
Places to stay
Camping
The campground has toilets, showers and free gas barbecues.
Food must be cooked on the barbecues provided provided or or with with liquid
or gas operated stoves. Portable generators are are not not permitted.
There’s also a camping spot on the Five Mile Loop (see map).
For information on camping fees contact the Wellington Visitor
Centre on 04 384 7770, wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz or visit the
DOC website: www.doc.govt.nz/.
Booked huts
A number of huts in the Orongorongo Valley are available for
exclusive hire.
They are all equipped with mattresses, water, heating, toilets
and, except for Boar Inn, gas cookers and utensils.
For information and to book, contact the DOC Wellington
Visitor Centre on 04 384 7770,
wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz
or visit http://booking.doc.govt.nz/.
Turere Lodge
Turere Lodge is a 32-bunk hut with four 8-bunk rooms, which
can be individually hired, and a communal kitchen and living
area. The whole building can be hired, making it ideal for school
and scout groups, etc. Turere Lodge is an easy 2.5 hour walk from
Catchpool Valley car park and does not require a river crossing.
For information and to book, visit http://booking.doc.govt.nz/
or contact the DOC Wellington Visitor Centre on 04 384 7770,
wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz.
For hut warden volunteer opportunities at Turere Lodge, visit
www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/volunteer-join-or-start-a-project/
Photo: Lisa Paton
Mountain biking and
horse riding
Mountain biking and horse
riding riding are permitted in the
logged areas in the south of
Catchpool Valley (see map).
For information about access
visit www.doc.govt.nz/.
Photo: Matt Barnett
Hunting
DOC encourages recreational
hunting in specifi ed areas.
For information and hunting permits,
contact the DOC Wellington Visitor
Centre on 04 384 7770,
wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz
Photo: Jeremy Rolfe
Photo: Jeremy Rolfe

to
Hine Road,
Wainuiomata
to
WAINUIOMATA 6km
Wainuiomata River
NORTH
Kiwi are gradually spreading
beyond the dog exclusion exclusion zone.
Please ensure all dogs are on
leashes when when close to this area.
McKerrow
706m
TURERE CATCHMENT KIWI ZONE
McKerrow Stream
COAST ROAD
Whakanui Track
Turere Stream
Clay Ridge Track
McKerrow Track
Graces Stream
Lake Wairarapa
Papatahi Crossing
Five Mile Loop T rack
Catchpool Entrance
Papatahi
902m
Papatahi Hut
Haurangi Hut
Turere
Lodge
Big Bend Track
Catchpool Stream
Middle Ridge Track
Orongorongo Track
Catchpool Stream
Nga Taonga Nature Walk
C atchpool Stre a m
Catchpool Centre
Jans Hut
Catchpool
Loop Walk
Mt Matthews Track
Boar Inn
South
Saddle
Raukawa Lodge
Butcher Track
to coast and Turakirae Head
Cattle Ridge Track
Mt Matthews
941m
Mukamuka Route to Palliser Bay
LANDCARE RESEARCH AREA
Orongorongo River
Ruamahanga River
LEGEND
Information
Toilets
Dog Exercise Area
Horse Riding Area
Mountain Bike Area
Kiwi
Lake Onoke
Booked Hut
Camping Area
Telephone
Lookout
NO HUNTING
NO DOGS
Palliser Bay
Short walk Tramping Track
Walking track Route

Walking and tramping
Times are for a family walking at a leisurely pace.
Nga Taonga Nature Walk
(1.3 km / 45 min one way)
Information signs describe plant life of the forest. Begins in the
clearing beside the Graces Stream footbridge. Ends at road, 5
min from the Catchpool Centre.
Catchpool Loop Walk
(1.6 km / 30 min round trip)
Begins just beyond the bridge across Catchpool Stream and
leads upstream through nikau groves and mature podocarp/
broadleaf forest to another bridge and the Orongorongo
Track. The round trip is completed by returning down the
Orongorongo Track.
Five Mile Loop Walking Track
(3.8 km / 1½ hr round trip)
Passes through beech forest in the lower reaches of Graces
Stream. The track climbs to Clay Forks at the junction with Clay
Ridge Track, giving good views of the Rimutaka Range and the
forest canopy.
Track categories
Tracks are categorised to help you choose the most
appropriate for your level of fi tness and the skills and
abilities of your party. You must be well prepared with
suitable clothing and equipment for all weather and
conditions. Safety is your responsibility.
Short Walk: well formed, easy walking for up to an
hour
Walking Track: well formed easy walks from a few
minutes to a day
Easy Tramping Track: generally well formed for
comfortable overnight tramping / hiking trips
Tramping Track: mostly unformed but have track
directional markers, poles or cairns
Route: unformed, suitable only for people with
high level backcountry skills and experience
Middle Ridge Track
(3.2 km / 1 hr return)
Follows the ridge between Graces Stream and Catchpool
Stream. Here, the vegetation consists of more drought-tolerant
plants such as manuka. The track gives good views of the
Catchpool Valley.
Clay Ridge Track
(6.3 km / 2½ hr to Mount McKerrow)
From Clay Forks, this track ascends Clay Ridge to the east of
Graces Stream to the summit of Mount McKerrow (706 m).
A round trip back to the Catchpool carpark is possible
by returning via the McKerrow and Orongorongo tracks
(14.6 km / 5 hr return).
Orongorongo Walking Track
(5.2 km / 2 hr to Turere Bridge)
One of New Zealand’s most popular walks, leading to the
Orongorongo River through di erent forest types. There are
safe swimming holes at Turere Stream at the end of the track.
Butcher Track and Cattle Ridge Track
(12 km / 4 hr round trip)
Begins about 10 minutes along the Orongorongo Track. A sti
2 hour climb, through a range of forest types and shrubland,
brings magnifi cent views of Wellington Harbour. From here
Cattle Ridge heads north to join the Orongorongo Track near
Turere Stream.
Big Bend Track and Whakanui Track
(18 km / 7 hr to Wainuiomata)
Big Bend Track begins at Turere bridge and follows the
Orongorongo River to Whakanui Creek. The Whakanui Track
begins on the true right of Whakanui Creek and climbs to
the ridge between Whakanui Creek and Turere Stream before
descending to Hine Road / Sunny Grove in Wainuiomata. There
are good views of the main Rimutaka Range from the higher
parts of the track.
McKerrow Track
(13.3 km / 6 hr to Wainuiomata)
McKerrow Track begins 10 minutes from the end
of the Orongorongo Track. It climbs through
podocarp / broadleaf / beech forest to Mount McKerrow (706 m),
continues along McKerrow Ridge, then joins the Whakanui
Track descent to Wainuiomata.
Mount Matthews (10 hr return)
Begins near the mouth of Matthews Stream and climbs
steeply to the summit of Mount Matthews (941 m). The views
are outstanding—Wellington Harbour, Wairarapa, the Tararua
Range, and the Kaikoura Ranges.
Mukamuka Valley (6 hr to Palliser Bay)
The Mukamuka Valley is reached by following the
the Mt Matthews track for approximately 1½ hours to the South
Saddle track. This rough track sidles southwest, dropping from
the saddle into the shrubby headwaters of Mukamuka Stream
which leads to Palliser Bay.
Papatahi Crossing (12 hr to Battery Stream)
A crossing of the Rimutaka Range via Papatahi (902 m)
from the mid-Orongorongo Valley at North Boulder Creek to
the Wharepapa River and Battery Stream on the Wairarapa
side of the park. It requires a very full day from the Catchpool
carpark for a fi t party. Most parties are recommended to
overnight at, or near, Papatahi Hut.
Turakirae Head Scientifi c Reserve
Turakirae Head is an area of international geological interest
with its fi ve earthquake-raised beaches. Wildlife includes rare
and threatetened bird and plant life and a colony of New Zealand
fur seals. From the carpark it takes about 45 minutes to walk to
Turakirae Head. The South Coast Track can be followed along
spectacular coastline for approximately 10 km to Palliser Bay.
Vehicles, dogs and fi res are not permitted in this area.
Waaii
CO
errr
Wainuiomata River
COAST ROAD
Access crosses private land.
Please stay on marked track
seal haulout
Orongorongo River
Oronnng
B arneys Strm
South Coast Track
trrm
RIMUTAKA
FOREST PARK
Barneys Whare
(private)
to
Corner Creek
(5km approx)
TURAKIRAE HEAD
SCIENTIFIC RESERVE
Turakirae Head