Wainuiomata Regional Park: Lower Dam, Water Museum & River Swimming
Photo: “Wainuiomata river and swimming hole” by Marshelec, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Park at a glance
- Region
- Wellington
- Location
- Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt
- Managed by
- Greater Wellington Regional Council
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead
- Camping
- No
Overview
Wainuiomata Regional Park, also known as the Wainuiomata Recreation Area, is the gateway to the largest and most pristine lowland forests in the lower North Island. It has easy walks through regenerating bush, swimming holes in the Wainuiomata River, and the historic Lower Dam, now a wetland that attracts lots of birds.
Next door is the Wainuiomata Water Collection Area, a protected catchment of old-growth rainforest that you can only visit on seasonal guided walks. The park's dark skies also make it a popular venue for stargazing events.
Water history
The Wainuiomata River has supplied Wellington's drinking water since 1884, when the Lower Dam and its pipeline were built, making it one of New Zealand's oldest dams. The larger concrete Morton Dam followed in 1911. It was decommissioned in 1988 over earthquake concerns. A treatment plant built in 1993 now supplies about 15% of the region's water. The water history museum, opened in 2018 near the ranger's office, is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Getting there and opening hours
- Address: 10 Whitcher Grove, Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt. From the roundabout, take Moores Valley Road, then turn first right into Whitcher Grove.
- Alternative entrance: End of Hine Road, off Coast Road
- Bus: Route 170 from Waterloo Interchange or Queensgate to Hine Road (stop 8921)
- Hours: Open to walkers at any time. Vehicle gates are open 6am–6pm in winter and 6am–8pm during daylight saving.
Walks
| Track | Time | Grade | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gums Loop Track | 1 hr return | Easy | Gum trees, old dam-builders' houses, swingbridge |
| Nikau Creek Track | 1 hr return | Easy–moderate | Native bush beside Nikau Creek |
| Lower Dam Walk | 1 hr 20 min return | Easy | Museum and the 1884 dam |
| Sledge Track | 1.5 hr return | Easy | Follows an 1800s logging track |
| Tana Umaga Track | 2 hr return | Easy–moderate | Views of the Lower Dam wetland |
The easiest way to do the longer loop is up the Sledge Track and down the Tana Umaga Track to the Gums Loop. Mountain bikes and vehicles use the road, so walk on the track.
Things to do
Swimming holes
There are popular swimming holes along the Wainuiomata River, marked on the park map. Always watch children near the water.
Guided walks into the water catchment
Volunteer guides lead seasonal walks into the protected Wainuiomata Water Collection Area to see old-growth lowland forest that's otherwise closed to the public.
Dark-sky stargazing
Greater Wellington runs stargazing events here because of the park's dark skies. Check its Wainuiomata Dark Skies page for dates.
Dogs at Wainuiomata
Dogs are welcome in most of the park but must be on a lead at all times, because kiwi live in the area. No dogs on the Lower Dam Walk beyond the Gums Loop junction. Check the signs at the entrance, as dog access may be restricted after pest-control operations.
Good to know
Toilets are at the ranger's office in the Lower Dam area. Gas BBQs are fine, but no fires. No horse riding or motorbikes. There's no camping.
Check before you go
Track closures, gate times, fire bans and storm damage change often. Greater Wellington Regional Council posts current alerts for Wainuiomata Regional Park on its official park page.
Current park alerts