Awa Awa Rata Reserve, Methven, Canterbury
Awa Awa Rata Reserve, Methven Mt Hutt
The Awa Awa Rata Reserve is at the base of Mt Hutt and has a great short walk for all of the family. Within 20 minutes up the hill, you can see out through the trees over Canterbury.
How to get to the Awa Awa Rata Reserve
To get here: Follow the signs for Mt Hutt Ski Field. When the road turns right for Mt Hutt, just go straight ahead down the gravel road and its signposted to the end. We park on the grass up the back of the reserve. We don’t head up the dirt track because it can be a bit hard to turn around up there if there are other cars parked.
How to find the Awa Awa Rata Track
Walk up the dirt path right to the end and you will see a bridge to your right, and to your left (or kinda straight ahead) theres a track straight up the hill. (Opuke Track) I usually walk straight up the hill to the left (its starts a little steep but isn’t too bad once you get going) and it will be 20 minutes to the top, then turn right and walk 20 minutes across the ridge, then head down the track to the right to where you started again. The track to the right (which you come down) is quite rocky and requires a bit of care. I held onto our 2 and 4 year olds hands and it was a little slow but older kids will find it interesting, otherwise you can come back the way you climbed up which is more a dirt track with tree routes.
There is also a 15 minute track along the creek. So over the bridge to the right, then turn right and follow the creek and you end up near the entrance to the reserve. A good wee track to let the toddlers roam for a bit.
Other activities within an hours drive of the Awa Awa Rata Reserve walk
- Mt Hutt Skifield
- Washpen Falls waterfall walk: 2 hours round trip, a great varied walk, love this
- Rakaia Gorge Walkway: a 3 hour return walk with great views
- Woolshed Creek Track: 3 hours one way to the hut, a great beginners overnight hike
- Peak Hill Walk: a tough uphill climb to lake views
- Ashburton Domain and Playground
- Ashburton River Trail
- The Best things to do in Ashburton and Mid Canterbury with kids
- Explore the Ashburton Lakes
- Sharplin Falls: a 1-2 hour easy round trip walk with kids
Jennifer
Founder of Backyard Travel Family
Jen is a super organiser when it comes to travel. Having travelled extensively in Europe and Africa, has lived in London and the USA and holidayed in many parts of Asia, she is not a newbie to the travel space
Jen has three young children, 5 and under and travels around New Zealand with them.
what you need to know
Travel
- At the end of Mclennans Bush Road
- Follow the signs for Mt Hutt Ski Field.
When the road turns right for Mt Hutt, just go straight ahead down the gravel road and its signposted to the end We park on the grass up the back of the reserve. We don't head up the dirt track because it can be a bit hard to turn around up there if there are other cars parked.
The trail
- dirt track with lots of tree roots and stones
- an hour loop track
Facilities
There is a hut with toilets when you enter the reserve to your left. Grassy areas for picnics. The whole walk is pretty sheltered by the trees so you are not in direct sunlight or wind
What to bring
Just your lovely selves and some water
Food options
- No food options close
- Methven Township (15 mins)
What the critics thought
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