A lawn bowls club founded in 1907, with one natural green that was completely refurbished and re-sown in 2016. The club says the green is among the finest in New Zealand, and its men's premier team won the national inter-club title in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The club sits about three minutes' walk from Eastbourne Village, down a right of way that keeps it quiet and sheltered. A Heritage Trail starts outside the village library and ends about 2 km away at the Wahine mast, which makes a good walk after a game.
Visitors, social bowlers and new members are welcome. Casual players can join a men's roll-up on Tuesdays at 2.30pm during the summer season, September to May, and a women's social roll-up on Fridays from 2pm. In winter the men's roll-up moves to Naenae Bowling Club. The club also runs a community bowls programme, and coaches new players. Mid-week casual bowls are played in mufti, with flat shoes and no heels.
The club holds dinners, quiz nights and bingo nights, and its clubrooms can be hired for functions with bar service. Catering can be self-service or come from one of the caterers in the village.
The club is at 179 Muritai Road, Eastbourne, in Lower Hutt. Enquiries go to eastbournebowlsclub@gmail.com or 04 562 7012. Our pick in Eastbourne for a first try at lawn bowls with a friendly crowd.