Great Outdoors offers full schedule of family-friendly events
Thursday 12 January 2012, 8:18PM
By Greater Wellington Regional Council
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A strong emphasis on family-friendly events in the Great Outdoors summer programme should keep even the most energetic children (and their parents) happy during the school holidays.
“Whatever your fitness level – or that of your kids – there’s something for everyone in the programme. So why not use this summer to introduce your family to the wonderful opportunities in our regional parks and forests? There’s a whole world of fun and adventure just waiting to be discovered,” says Cr Nigel Wilson, Chair of Greater Wellington’s Social and Cultural Wellbeing Committee.
The ever-popular Kev the Wandering Kiwi Walk in Upper Hutt’s Tunnel Gully kicks off the programme on 5 January. A strong favourite with primary school children and younger, participation often tops 200. Following closely on 7 January there’s the Summer Sampler Series’ first walk – a ranger-led tour of Whitireia Park especially designed for families. And then on 8 January another popular event – the Nature Discovery Treasure Hunt in Kaitoke Regional Park – lets kids search the forest for clues to find the treasure.
For bigger kids and grown-ups, why not try Explore the Mainland Island, a new event in the Wainuiomata Water Collection Area? Taking place on 8 January, this fascinating nature walk explores the area’s unique ecology and what’s being done to protect it from pests.
These are just four of the 23 events taking place during January in the Great Outdoors (there are 69 in total from January to April). Visit www.gw.govt.nz/events for a full list of events, email bookings@gw.govt.nz or call 04 830 4041.
KEV THE WANDERING KIWI AND SPORT WELLINGTON BUGGY WALK (FREE EVENT)
Tunnel Gully Recreation Area
Thursday 5 January, 10.30am-12noon
Join Kev the Wandering Kiwi on the beautiful Tane’s Track.
SUMMER SAMPLER – WHITIREIA PARK (FREE EVENT)
Whitireia Park
Saturday 7 January, 9.45am-11.30am
Steeped in history, bring the whānau for a ranger-guided walk to explore this coastal park.
EXPLORE THE MAINLAND ISLAND (FREE EVENT)
Wainuiomata Water Collection Area
Sunday 8 January, 9.30am-2pm
Learn about New Zealand’s unique forest and wildlife communities. Max 30 people. Entry by application, phone 04 830 4406 or email karen.broughan@gw.govt.nz.
NATURE DISCOVERY TREASURE HUNT (FREE EVENT)
Kaitoke Regional Park, Waterworks Rd entrance
Sunday 8 January, 11am-12.30pm
Use clues hidden in the forest to find the treasure. Bring a picnic lunch for afterwards. Not suitable for mountain buggies.