Otaki Forks in Upper Hutt

Awesome spot. Difficult to access now (2022due to a large slip that’s made the road a path from Shields Flat reserve (around 4 kms to the Otaki forks picnic area). The slip is hazardous but an easy hike through in dry weather. Beautiful bush and scenery. Lots of tracks around the Tararuas from this area but the slip has added an 8km return extra hike to any trip.

Peaceful spot, starting point to field and kime huts

A beautiful natural environment...A spot for a day trip or a weekend camp that you will truly rest. The Road is closed at the moment. Its a 40 - 50min walk to the camp-site.

Lovely spot. Would love to come back and camp here. Beautiful walks and plenty to explore.

good facilities once you get there over the slip

Update as of January 3, 2022 the road to the camp grounds is closed about 5.1 km before you get to the camp area. There is no signage warning you of this until you just drive to a locked and closed off gate across the road. No signage to indicate when it will be reopened.

With the closure of Ōtaki Gorge Road, the quickest access is a hilly 8.5km walk from the carpark next to the road closure. As far as I can tell, the campsite is still open, but is quite overgrown and unmaintained. I was the only one in the whole campsite. Now even more isolated than ever, this is the place to come to truly get away from it all...

Beautiful place. A bit difficult to access currently as the road is blocked due to a slip.

Stayed here for sometime in my campervan. Saved on many occasions by the amazing DoC staff. This place is super isolated, no reception at all, just GPS. No power, and water needs to be boiled. Which is all fine with me. Highly recommend hiding out here for a few weeks, great place to detach from the world!

Great walks and scenery in a sunny winters day

Beautiful place to visit.Its also one of the best gateways to the Tararua Forest Park.

Beautiful. Good walks

Pathways can be undefined at parts, but following the river will get you back on the path.

Pleasant place to walk the dog. Road a bit rough at the moment.

Great place to hike! Challenging hiking if you want with lovely views.

Awesome outdoor experience for family and friends....

Excellent family camping spots at Otaki Forks. Great river swimming in a clean river. Flushing toilets. No phone reception too! #win

Great to jump on the river after coming down from Kime Hut on a hot day

The kids (5 and 2had a ball throwing rocks in the river and running around the trails. The bridge was a big highlight. The water was great. Only 25 minutes from Paraparaumu.

Nice spot to launch the kayaks for a trip down the river. Great to have toilets there.

Awesome peaceful place(note the signhad to laugh at the result of 15+ people on bridge. Lol

Love walking up here. Lots of tracks to take to suit your fitness level. Tell someone before you go though and check the weather forecast

Excellent location for family hikes, river swims, dog walks, trail running. Beautiful part of NZ

Love this place. Great views, awesome walks. Idyllic

Large reserve with plenty of picnic spots. The jump off point for tampers. Different length Bush walks etc.

Great facilities, well marked tracks and amazing views

Pretty nice place....bit windy and over cast today tho

Quite steep climb to the top, many good walking tracks varying from 1 hour to 5 hour return

A fantastic destination in the summer - great spot for a swim in the river, and a large gras flat grass area for picnics. When not used as a getaway destination, its used as the starting point for various tramping/hiking tracks. If youre only there for a short time, an explore up the few paths in the plateau over the bridge is great.

Great nice grassy picnic area, as well as a nice river to swim in. The place also has a few small tracks (1-2 Hoursaswell as a starting point for a few overnight tramps. However be careful when driving here as it is a gravel road and has only enough space for one vehicle to pass.

Nice dive roads a bit narros and stoney so you need to drive slowly and very carefully

It is a harrowing drive there, but if you survive the trip there, the scenery is worth the trip , even if you only drive up there to look at the views it is worth it.I dont like camping so I did not stay there very long, but I would recommend the place to anyone that wants to see the beauty NZ has to offer.

Great spot for picnic, overnight, or access to some great walking on the tops.

Short loop track or longer walks. Camp sites.

Awesome place to start a hike, run, or just chill and jump into the creek.

Good for a day picnic, with scenic drive, can see a cable bridge and best for who loves trekking. Lots of walks and huts are there to stay.

My absolute favourite swimming spot as far as rivers go in Wellington. This is a must see. There are great walks and its perfect for a day out.

Really good spot. Cant wait to go back.

Great access point for all sorts of walks in the Tararuas

Beautiful place. The only drawback is the narrow road. A bit scary when two bigger cars meet. Sometimes reversing in a narrow bend is necessary.

Road to OF needs to be driven with care. But once at destination the are plenty of walks, camping sites and places to swim. Loos available. I would recommend the drive. Get there early as it can get popular in warmer weather.

If you enjoy large pot holes on the road, judder ruts as the tyres try to grip the gravel road for traction as they go up & turn a corner, gravel roads, narrow roads where other car drivers think they are the only cars on the road, fords or edges that drop steeply away from the edge of the roaf to the river far below then this is the road for you to drive on!Great DoC campsites at the end for you to pitch your tent. Flushing toilets. Picnic tables and bench seats. A lovely stony river to paddle in & keep cool and of course bush and huts and hikes to pass the time.Well sign posted on SH1 from the southern end of Otaki.

Good drive to get there but beautiful

Good variety of walks for most skill levels. Just make sure you are prepared if you are going up the top! Ive seen way to many people way underprepared for sudden weather changes.

Beautiful spacious camp site with everything a basic camper needs. Friendly ranger on site and a lot of tramping opportunities. The conditions of the road up there can vary, so I would recommend checking in with DOC before heading up there.

Beautiful. Always a great place to walk and picnic by the river

Great tramping location. Beautiful views and clean nature

Amazing hidden location. With great walks and picnic/camping area. Amazing views when out on the main tramp.

Great walk. Has facilities. No phone reception

Worth a visit if youre coming to or living in Wellington. Swimming, camping, picnics, tramping etc. Just be aware the road there is very New Zealand, unsealed with fords, potholes and fairly narrow