John Fensham Memoral Sanctuary - a lowland forest walk
Nestled on the outskirts of the small Wairarapa town of Carterton situated between Masterton and Greytown is a delightful probably not that well known John Fensham Memorial Sanctuary a lowland forest walk.
One hour is all it takes to surround yourself in this stunning forest and shrub land with the added bonus of a wonderful view of the WairarapaValley.
This 50 acre property was a gift to the Royal Forest and Bird
Protection Society under the will of John Fensham who died in 1943.
He expressed the wish that it be preserved in perpetuity as The John Fensham Sanctuary for Native Birds and intended that the grazing land (private) be used as an endowment for maintenance of the reserve.
The reserve is in excellent condition and has magnificent examples of podocarps believed to be between 400 and 700 hundred years old. Rising above the primary forest is a further 19 hectares of regenerating forest and shrub land.
The vegetation is very diverse and includes magnificent specimens of kahikatea, rimu, totara, titoki, black beech and many others supplemented with a wide range of native birds including kereru, tui, bellbirds and fantails.
The wetland and wetter parts of the forest are home to the nationally vulnerable brown mudfish.
The all weather Circuit Track takes just over an hour to complete. Some parts are steep and tree root bound, but the track is well maintained and contoured with steps and boardwalks over the wet areas.
There are two cross tracks off the circuit track, The Brow Track and The Old Fence Track that both lead onto the main track. If you wish to take one of those two tracks it creates a short cut to the other side of the loop.
A short side track at the very top of the hill on the southern side leads to the most beautiful view over the Wairarapa Valley. Not to be missed.
My sister and I did this walk on an early summer evening and the view over the valley was complimented by the evening colours and a pale pink sky. Be sure you make enough time to get back down before dark.
The reserve is permanently open to the public and no pets are allowed due to pest control operations. There are seats along the way.
There are two entrances to the reserve. One off Cobden Road leads directly via a steepish entry track onto the Circuit Track. The second entrance which is further west on Belvedere Road allows level pedestrian only access via a gravel track to a picnic area. Parking is available at both entrances.
We chose the entrance where the signboards are placed, that takes you to the beginning of the walk.
I would rate this walk medium due to the steep gradient to the top.
The reserve is just 4.7km north west of Carterton. Take Belvedere Road off the main street of Carterton in the town centre.