Kaitawa Hut

Directions

Start Location

Kaitawa Reserve entrance, between 22 & 26 Kaitawa Cres.

Distance to Hut

400m (75m via more accessible route)

Your Directions

Follow sealed track past the playground and flying fox to the bridge through the bush. Head down the steps to cross the bridge. Keep following the track to the next steps and bridge and cross that too. Continue following the path until you see the outdoor classroom sign for Mamakū on your left above a big waterway culvert. Being careful not to let anyone get too close to this sharp drop off, head off track here through the trees. You will see a rough path heading towards the right, follow this until you come to a small clearing beneath Kahikatea trees. The hut sits facing the stream somewhere to your left.

Nearest Train Station

800m from Paraparaumu Station

Safety Notes

The hut is very close to a stream with some short drop offs. Watch kids closely and while you may decide it’s safe to have a paddle don’t drink the water (the stream runs from a spring and doesn’t encounter too much agriculture on its way to Kaitawa). There may be a bumblebee nest nearby and there are definitely mozzies so bee bug safe.

Having said that, this is the best hut to take pre-school age kids. The playground is fairly new and the bridges are heaps of fun to cross. Plenty of shade throughout the park but being sun safe never hurts. You may come across some fallen obstacles in the undergrowth around the hut, if they are of the man-made variety be a tidy kiwi and discard in park bins – we all keep our kids safer together.

Accessibility

This hut is wheelchair accessible with assistance if you are willing to be adventurous and have someone who can join you on your journey. Here is the alternative route as the main directions take you via bridges with stairs.

Enter Kaitawa Reserve from the Riwai St entrance (between 44 & 50, on the right hand side of the road as you enter the street (north side)). Follow the main path (hard gravel, one slightly raised manhole to cross) until you see the Mamaku sign on your right. Being careful not to get too close to the sharp drop off by the sign, head off track through the trees. It will be a bumpy ride, there are some big roots and dips so you will need someone to maneuver the wheelchair. You will see a rough path heading towards the right, follow this until you come to a small clearing beneath Kahikatea trees. The hut sits facing the stream somewhere to your left. As you approach the front of the hut be aware of the sloping bank towards the stream.

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About

Kaitawa Hut

Start Location

Distance to Hut

Your Directions

Nearest Train Station

Safety Notes

Accessibility

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