First Karori - Facilities

Williams Hall

Our Scout hall / den is alled 'Williams hall' after one of the early group leaders, Skip Williams. It was opened in 1977 by the mayor, Micheal Fowler. It is one of the largest halls in the Wellington Region and is a truly amazing facility. It has four patrol rooms (break-out rooms), one leaders room, one venturer room (the Zac Pearson Memorial Venturer room, a kitchen and many storage rooms, including a large QM (quarter-masters) store.

Prior to the current hall, we were in the Marae on the Victoria University grounds (then owned by scouts) and before that at the RSA clubrooms (then owned by the scoutmaster). At the time of the second hall opening, 1st Karori Scout were meeting at the RSA hall, the old army barracks, St Marys church and St Ninians church.

For more history on the hall, please go to the "Our History" page.

Booking enquiries

Available for use by Scout groups, community groups and for other events, please get in touch with the Group Leader - 1stkarori@group.scouts.nz

Dik's Place, St Arnaud

Set in a lovely bush setting in St Arnaud township, Nelson Lakes National Park, is Dik's Place. Diks place is a cottage owned by a trust which manages it on behalf of 1st Karori Scout Group. The cottage is less than 10 minutes walk from the lake edge and surrounded by bush. St Arnaud is in the middle of Nelson Lakes National park, and so is surrounded by bush and mountains. Whether it is a base for a tramp, or just somewhere to get away from things, Dik's place and St Arnaud is hard to beat. It is really secluded and private, and there is a log burner and sound system in the lounge.

Booking enquiries

For bookings, via Bookabatch

Zac's Hut, Orongorongo Forest Park

On the true left of the Orongorongo River sits Zac's hut. It is set in a great country and has a fantastic history. Built by the Venturers in the 1960s and maintained ever since by former Venturers, such as re-roof in 2011 and relining in 2017. Zac's hut is one of the most luxurious, boasting solar power lighting, an open fireplace, a wetback for hot water, a gas stove, la ong drop with a view and new DOC-style mattresses.

Sleeps 10 - 12 on platform bunks with space to camp or bivvy outside.

Access is via a well-grade DOC track that is easy for first-timers and young people.

For more information on the history of Zac's hut, see our history page.

Booking enquiries

Available for use by the 1st Karori Scout community, Scout groups and other youth groups, costs $30 per night per group - to book please email zacs.bookings@gmail.com.

Sam's Gully, Makara Peak

Nestled in the middle of the Makara Peak mountain bike park (of Sally Alley for those who know Makara Peak) is a lovely area of grass and bush owned by 1st Karori Scouts known as Sam's Gully. Sam's gully was first visited by a party of Scouts led by the owner Sam Bradnock and the group leader. It consists of a grassy area and a stream and is an ideal place to camp. In the summer months it is visited by scouts for a campfire and has been used in the past for survival camps and Duke of Edinburgh award skills weekend.

Booking enquiries

Available for use by the 1st K community, Scout groups and other youth groups - to book please get in touch with the Group Leader - 1stkarori@group.scouts.nz

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