Upper Hutt Things to Do Tips by salisbury3933

Silverstream Railway Museum

This is a great little place with Steam Train rides, and I am surprised it took me so long to actually come and have a visit.

It operates on Sundays between 11am and 4pm as it is run solely by volunteers. It's a great opportunity to take a ride on a steam train and get a feel for how train travel was in times gone by.

Adults $12 for unlimited steam train rides during the day. I really recommend visiting if you are in the area on a Sunday.

Address: Reynolds Bach Drive, off Eastern Hutt Road

Website: http://www.silverstreamrailway.org.nz/

Harcourt Park, great for kids

This is quite a sprawling park in the north of Upper Hutt, with plenty of space, and great for kids, with two playground areas, a flying fox, and a wading pool for the kids in summer.

Often too various events are held here, and there is a holiday park next door.

Directions: Turn off SH2 at Akatarawa

Horse racing at Trentham

I very seldom go to the races as it's not really my thing, but if you are in the Wellington area and are into your horse racing, then by all means check to see if there are races on.

Wellington Cup day is of course the big one, but any of the other race days seem to also draw the crowds.

Directions: Directly accessible from Trentham Railway Station.

Website: http://www.trentham.co.nz/page/home.aspx

Staglands

Staglands Wildlife Park is located about 17km out of town on the Akatarawa road that links Upper Hutt with Waikanae.

It's a great place to have a picnic, relax, look at and feed the animals and birds. Many of the birds are unique to New Zealand. It is a great setting as well.

There is also a cafe on site, so you can have some coffee or a meal after you've walked around the park.

Entry $19 for adults and $8 for children 4 and up.

It was originally opened 40 years ago, and has been built up over time with a strong conservation element to it.

Address: Akatarawa road

Directions: From Upper Hutt, turn off state highway 2 at Akatarawa road, and keep going until you get there.

From Waikanae, turn off State Highway 1, and follow the Akatarawa road until you get there.

No public transportation unfortunately.

Other Contact: wildlife@staglands.co.nz

Phone: 64 4 526 7529

Website: http://www.staglands.co.nz

Golders Cottage

This cottage was built by the Golder family, one of the first settlers in the area. The family occupied the place up until 1985, and the property was purchased by the Upper Hutt city council in 1987 and restored. It's interesting to wander about the cottage and see how people lived back in the day. It's only open on Saturday afternoons and admission is $3, or $2 for students.

Address: Fergusson Drive Upper Hutt

Expressions

Expressions is a place to go along and have a look at an exhibition, take in a concert or play, and have a cup of coffee at cafe Cibo. Check out their website to see what's on.

Address: 836 Fergusson Drive Upper Hutt

Phone: 04 527 2168

Website: http://www.expressions.org.nz

Blueberry Picking

You can go blueberry picking here, or if you have no interest in doing that, you can buy blueberries, or eat blueberry icecream.

Not a bad place to stop if you are an icecream fan.

Address: Akatarawa road

Directions: Turn left off SH2 at Akatarawa road, it's about 5 minutes drive

Parks/ bush walks

Upper Hutt has a lot of nice parks to relax in. It's great to pack a lunch and go and chill out somewhere.