Time spent exploring the hidden sites and places of beauty that abound in Lower Hutt can make for a perfect day, I wrote in my latest column in Vibrant Hutt.
We are lucky people here in the Hutt.
This was brought home to me recently when ‘Bring Your Heart Home’ winners, Malaysian couple Wallace and Krs Ty Wai Hoe Yap, were hosted to a weekend in the city, courtesy of the Hutt News
Their enthusiasm and awe at the scenes and sights of Lower Hutt renewed my belief that we live in a special city.
They were overwhelmed by the warmth of the hospitality shown them by our people and were totally impressed by their adventures both within the urban setting and the southern coast.
A traditional powhiri at Waiwhetu Marae and an impassioned performance by teenagers from Alicetown-based kura, Te Ara Whanui, set the couple on their journey.
They toured the Stansborough looms where Gandalf’s cloak for Lord of the Rings was woven. Following a sumptuous two hour lunch at La Bella they strolled down Jackson Street popping into the Dutch shop, The Chocolate Story, Sweet Pea, On Trays, and Wanda Harland.
Our early European settlers were on show too as they visited the Petone Settlers Museum and then stopped for a refreshing drink of artesian water at Te Puni Wai Ora. A night at BK’s Motel, dinner at Jackson Street Bistro and a movie at Lighthouse Cinema finished the first day for them.
The forecast rain did not arrive and their second day was one of the most beautiful autumn days in many years – a perfect day for quad biking over Southern Wainuiomata’s Orongorongo station. The exhilarating ride was only exceeded by the breath-taking mountain, river valley and sea views. An extremely happy but somewhat tired out couple finished the afternoon with a four wheel drive trip along the rugged Pencarrow Coast Road to Pencarrow Lodge and a visit inside New Zealand’s first lighthouse.
Whew! And that was one weekend.
The experience of Wallace and Krs Ty is a reminder that Lower Hutt has much to offer in the way of adventure tourism. We have bush, streams, rivers, mountains, and seashore, all perfect for a multitude of adventures from the extreme-physical to gentle recreational activities. You can swim, mountain bike, golf on some of New Zealand’s best courses, shop, enjoy our cafes and restaurants, visit the Dowse, take a stroll along the beach at Day’s Bay or visit the beautiful gardens in Wainuiomata – and that’s just to start with!
This is our place and, on occasions, you have to see it through the eyes of first-time visitors to be reminded just how amazing and beautiful it is.
There are many, an estimated 600,000 per annum are making Lower Hutt part of their visitor experience.
Visitors make a significant contribution to our economy and with the growth in the number of people visiting friends and family there is an opportunity for everyone living in the Hutt Valley to become a champion and ambassador and promote our city to friends and family.
In just one short weekend, Wallace and Krs Ty from Kuala Lumpur had an amazing visitor experience where the people, our people here in the Lower Hutt, made them feel special. They will be coming back – that’s for certain.
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