The Biodiversity Walk

TIME  -  Fit 30 minutes Rambling 1 hour

This walk takes you through a wetland created in 1998/9, to an old Pa site and up a low hill through a hand-planted regeneration site.

1. From the front of the camping group turn right along the road to the gate.  Before the gate enter the wetland on the left via the stile and walk through the native vegetation planted by school groups in 1998/99.
   
2. Over the stile turn left and walk up the rise.  Check out the Oparae Pa site where you will get a great view over Tutira Lake.
   
3. Turn up the ridge crest along the track and into the “Lucerne Block”.
   
4. About 200m up the track through the Lucerne trees planted in 1990’s and under planted with native canopy trees.  There is a track to the left.  At this point you have two choices:
   
   - Carry on up the track and at the top turn left.  You will be rewarded with some great views.
   - Or turn left and walk along the lower track.
   
5. Down a steep slope is a stile over which is the lake walk down to the gate and look back, you may see a small hole in the bank with a concrete surround.  This was made by Guthrie Smith to store food at a camp area when mustering.
   
6. Walk back along the track to the camping ground.  The native trees by the lake were planted by Forest & Bird volunteers 25 years ago.
   
7. Walk back past the toilet, the fisherman’s hut and over the stream.  This stream has had willows removed, fenced and planted with riparian vegetation (by school children during conservation week and by volunteers from Honda).