I can highly recommend the Awakairangi (Hutt River) Loop Walk to artists, photographers and walkers, who will find something unique and noteworthy along the way.

Thirteen keen walkers in our Walking group gathered in the Awakairangi sports ground carpark, where the walk begins. The paths were well-constructed and mostly flat and we met many walkers, joggers and dog-walkers along the route. The river bridge was quite distinctive with its concrete buttresses and metal tension cables.

It also provided an excellent view of the riverbank in both directions. As the deciduous trees were shedding beautiful russet-toned leaves, I really wanted to stop and paint.

During lunch a gaggle of ducks and pukekos beseeched us for food. Many of us hearing the strange squeaking cry of a pukeko for the first time.

We enjoyed the warm sunny weather and found the route remarkably sheltered from the nippy wind during the hour and half of the loop route.