Timberlea, New Zealand facts for kids

Timberlea is a friendly suburb located in Upper Hutt, a city in New Zealand. It's about 3.5 to 6.5 kilometers northeast of Upper Hutt's city center. In 2013, about 1612 people lived here.

Timberlea sits on a flat, high area called a plateau. This plateau is part of the Eastern Hutt Valley Hills. Most of the suburb is quite high up, between 115 and 135 meters above sea level. You can get to Timberlea from State Highway 2 (SH2) by taking the Norana Road exit. It's next to Maoribank on one side and Brown Owl on the other.

Even though Timberlea doesn't have its own shops, residents can easily go to the shops in nearby Brown Owl. The main shops in Upper Hutt's city center are also just a short drive away, making it easy to find what you need.

Exploring Timberlea's Neighborhoods

Timberlea is made up of three different areas, each with its own unique feel:

Older Homes and Established Streets

The main part of Timberlea, found between Mount Marua Drive and the border with Maoribank, was mostly built between the late 1960s and early 1980s. This area has many established homes and streets.

Modern Homes and New Developments

The section of Timberlea between Mount Marua Drive and SH2 is much newer. Most of the houses here were built from 2007 onwards. This area has many modern and stylish homes.

Mount Marua: High-End Living

The area above Mount Marua Drive is known as Mount Marua. This part of Timberlea has been developed since 2010. It's one of Upper Hutt's most exclusive areas, meaning it has some of the biggest and most expensive homes. These houses often sit on large properties.

Many homes in Mount Marua have amazing, clear views of either the Upper Hutt Valley or the Mangaroa Valley, or even both! This is because they are located at the very top of the Eastern Hutt Valley Hills.

Mount Marua Way: A Private Community

Mount Marua Way is a special, private community within Mount Marua. It's located at the highest point of the subdivision, between 210 and 240 meters above sea level. This gated community has its own shared tennis court and a small pond for residents to enjoy.

Fun Parks to Explore

Timberlea has three public parks where you can play and enjoy nature:

• Speargrass Park: You can find this park off Speargrass Grove and Blueberry Grove. It has a small playground, perfect for younger kids.
• Gentian Reserve: Located off Gentian Street, this reserve is covered in forest. It has a few walking trails that go up the slopes of the hill on its eastern side. It's a great spot for a nature walk!
• Timberlea Park: You can get to this central Timberlea park from Norana Road. It features a small playground, a community hall, and a large grassy area next to the bush-covered valley hills.

Getting Around Timberlea

Timberlea is served by a public bus route. The Te Marua commuter bus route (#112) helps residents get around. This bus service is operated by Metlink.