Avalon Park — Attraction in North Island

Tucked between Avalon’s quiet streets and the Hutt River, Motutawa Avalon Park is a beloved six-hectare retreat for families in the Lower Hutt community. Owned and managed by Hutt City Council, this park may not be a flashy tourist draw, but it’s a cherished local spot where parents and kids alike can unwind, play, and enjoy the outdoors.

Designed with families in mind, the park’s crown jewel is the Motutawa Avalon Playground—a modern, expansive space that opened in 2016. With climbing nets, slides, swings, and imaginative play structures, it’s no wonder this playground is a hit with children.

Beyond the playground, the park offers a delightful mix of activities: paddle boats on the small lake, a mini train ride, a flying fox, and a lighthearted minigolf course.

Teens gravitate toward the skate park, while tennis enthusiasts can use the public courts. On sunny days, families flock to picnic tables scattered across the grounds, turning the park into a hub of laughter and shared meals.

Steeped in local history, Motutawa Avalon Park has evolved since its development began in 1962. The pavilion opened in 1967, and upgrades in the 1970s—including lush plantings, a confidence course (1974), and the iconic lake and fort (1975–76)—solidified its role as a community gathering place. These historical touches add charm, blending nostalgia with the park’s contemporary vibe.

Practical for pet owners, dogs are permitted only on-leash at the northern end past the treeline, ensuring a balance between recreation and relaxation for all visitors.

While it’s not a destination for international travelers, Motutawa Avalon Park shines as a local treasure. It’s the kind of place where neighborhood kids grow up exploring, parents bond over coffee while watching their children play, and community spirit thrives. For Hutt City families, this park isn’t just a green space—it’s a backdrop for...

I just seen sitting there how on the other side of the river mountain get destroyed for money rather than planting vegetables and fruits and dumping polution in the river, they spend so much money plant pine to make money but no vegetables and fruit in nz forests, they rather dig up more and make money for them and other has no other ways then to put food on table and does that yet no one and government can’t see that and shows how rich control government too and poorest, a forest could be full of stages but they cut them to for a piece of steak, that’s why natives has reserves and they hold on to but still this rich people buys and planning to destroy just like end of Eastbourne and around end of coast road, there’s no fish to fish for in rivers that too source of food, there’s reserves they go anytime they like and others but there’s no one can enter and put gates around even for the iwi, who gave them that rights behind those gates, by the time you realise they taken all...

Amazing!

This is a destination park. We drive over the Haywards Hill to hang out here and explore the installations.

The play area is newly built and well thought out. It flows from an area suitable for toddlers to an area for bigger kids in an interesting and natural way. In the middle there are water play, nature and sound areas that are a lot of fun. The water section in particular is ingenious.

At the back of the park there is a bike track, complete with road signs snd a miniature train ride. At the front there is a pond - with a dinosaur sculpture and a bridge. And a mini golf course too.

There is an ice cream and coffee truck that sometimes parks here. But i would recommend bringing your own.

Its been fun to watch this place grow over the last few years. The designers have poured love and imagination into it...