Last updated October 2026
The Hutt River at Birchville is a stretch of Te Awa Kairangi at the northern end of the Hutt River Trail in Upper Hutt, about 33 kilometres from central Wellington. LAWA describes the site as publicly accessible from Akatarawa Road and popular for swimming and dog walking.
The testing site is a short distance downstream of where the Akatarawa River joins the Hutt at Birchville. Greater Wellington Regional Council tests the water every week from November to March, and the site has a Poor long-term grade on LAWA, which means the water is often unsuitable for swimming, especially after rain. Check the latest result before you get in.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested weekly Nov–Mar by Greater Wellington. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Hutt River at Birchville
Thursday 5 NovemberWater quality track record
What the grades mean
Excellent and Good: rarely unsafe for swimming. Fair: usually fine, but avoid swimming after rain. Poor: often unsuitable, especially after rain, so check the latest result first.
Grades use LAWA’s method: the 95th percentile of routine E. coli results over the five summers from 2020/21 to 2024/25, with at least 50 tests (861 per 100 mL from 61 tests).
Practical Information
- Location
- Hutt River beside the Hutt River Trail, off Akatarawa Road, Birchville and Brown Owl, Upper Hutt
- Distance from Wellington
- About 33 km from central Wellington
- Water
- Freshwater river, no tides
- Water quality
- Poor (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Testing
- Weekly from November to March by Greater Wellington Regional Council, including checks for toxic algae
- Dogs
- Greater Wellington allows dogs off lead on the Hutt River Trail in Upper Hutt, except on stop-bank paths and sealed shared paths, where they must be on a lead
- Facilities nearby
- Parking, toilets, a barbecue, a playground and drinking water within about 500 m; Greater Wellington lists toilets at Akatarawa Road, Birchville
About the Hutt River at Birchville
Birchville sits at the entrance to the Akatarawa Valley, at the top of the Hutt Valley floor north of central Upper Hutt.
The suburb stretches along both banks of the Hutt River in a long, narrow valley, and the Akatarawa River flows into the Hutt here. The testing site is on the main river, beside the Hutt River Trail, a little downstream of the confluence.
The area was first settled in the late 19th century, and a line of road up the Akatarawa Valley had been surveyed by 1878.
The “Town of Birchville” name first appeared in land records in the mid-1920s, when weekend cottage sections on the riverbanks were offered for sale or lease, and the New Zealand Geographic Board confirmed Birchville as the official name in 1982.
The river here is part of the 29 km Hutt River Trail, which Greater Wellington manages from Hikoikoi Reserve on Petone’s Marine Parade up to the Te Marua area of Kaitoke Regional Park.
The trail has walking paths on both banks, and the Birchville bridge is one of its access points. LAWA notes the riverbank here is popular with dog walkers as well as swimmers.
Greater Wellington lists Twin Bridges at Birchville, with parking off Akatarawa Road, among the swimming spots on the Upper Hutt section of the river. Further downstream, Poets Park and Maoribank Corner are also popular places to cool off.
Swimming and Water Quality at Birchville
Greater Wellington Regional Council samples the river at Birchville every week from November to March and publishes the results on LAWA. The site has a Poor LAWA long-term grade, based on 61 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Across all 72 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 78% were suitable for swimming. A Poor grade means the water is often unsuitable for swimming, particularly after rain, so treat it as a dry-weather spot only.
LAWA says the site can be affected by faecal contamination from rural and urban run-off after heavy or prolonged rain. Check the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result on LAWA before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. If the river is high, brown or fast, give it a miss.
Toxic algae is the other risk on this river. Greater Wellington checked the Birchville site for cyanobacteria 107 times between the 2019/20 and 2024/25 seasons, and found it at alert level 7 times and at action level, when people should stay out of the water, once.
The algae grows as leathery dark green or black mats on riverbed rocks, and dried mats turn light brown with a musty smell.
Dogs are drawn to the smell and taste, and the council warns that a very small amount can kill a dog. Keep dogs on a lead near the water when algae is present, check LAWA for alerts before you go, and take your dog to a vet straight away if you think it has eaten any.
Greater Wellington advises caution if swimming alone and always checking the river for submerged rocks or logs. Check the depth before jumping in, keep a close eye on children, and stay away from the river when it is running high after rain.
Getting There and Walks Nearby
From central Wellington, follow State Highway 2 through Upper Hutt to Brown Owl and turn onto Akatarawa Road. LAWA notes the river is publicly accessible from Akatarawa Road, and Greater Wellington lists parking off Akatarawa Road for the Twin Bridges swimming spot and public toilets at Akatarawa Road, Birchville.
The Hutt River Trail runs along the riverbank here, so you can walk or cycle south towards Totara Park and central Upper Hutt. For a longer outing, the Cannon Point Walkway starts from Bridge Road, off Akatarawa Road.
WellingtonNZ describes a 7.7 km route of about three hours, with views over the Hutt Valley and a side trip to the historic Birchville Dam, built in 1929, which supplied Upper Hutt with water until 1954.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Greater Wellington Regional Council: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result, toxic algae alerts and the long-term grade for the Hutt River at Birchville.
Greater Wellington Regional Council: Hutt River Trail guide with swimming spots, access points, toilets and dog rules.
Greater Wellington Regional Council: how to spot toxic algae in rivers and keep people and dogs away from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in the Hutt River at Birchville?
Yes. LAWA describes the site as popular for swimming, and it is accessible from Akatarawa Road. The water has a Poor long-term grade, so check the latest LAWA result first and stay out for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
What is the water quality like at Birchville?
The site has a Poor LAWA long-term grade, based on summers 2020/21 to 2024/25. Of 72 tests between November 2019 and March 2025, 78% were suitable for swimming. Results are worst after rain, when run-off washes into the river.
When is the river at Birchville tested?
Greater Wellington Regional Council samples the site weekly from November to March and posts the results on LAWA.
Is there toxic algae in the Hutt River?
It can appear in summer. At Birchville, checks found it at alert level 7 times and at action level once between the 2019/20 and 2024/25 seasons. Look for dark green or black mats on rocks, and check LAWA for alerts before you swim.
Can I take my dog to the river at Birchville?
Greater Wellington allows dogs off lead on the Hutt River Trail in Upper Hutt, except on stop-bank paths and sealed shared paths. Toxic algae can kill dogs, so keep them away from the water when an alert is in place.
Where do I park for the Hutt River at Birchville?
Turn off State Highway 2 at Brown Owl onto Akatarawa Road. Greater Wellington lists parking off Akatarawa Road and public toilets at Akatarawa Road, Birchville.
How far is Birchville from Wellington?
The site is about 33 kilometres from central Wellington, at the northern end of Upper Hutt.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Water quality track record: Water quality: © LAWA and partner organisations (Greater Wellington), licensed under CC BY 4.0, results to April 2025.