Discovering a little of our lost forests
These taonga are well worth the drive
As a person who likes to get out into the bush, living in Hawke’s Bay has its limitations.
So little of our lowland native forests remain, and from where I live, it’s quite a drive just to get to the start of any hikes in the wider area.
They are usually well worth the effort though and we are spoiled for choice, with stunning views out from and among the Kawekas and Ruahines, with day walks aplenty and overnight tramps into many outback huts available.
We do, however, have a couple of beauties just over half an hour’s drive away, which is where my husband Ed and I ventured last weekend.
Waipatiki Reserve is accessed from a grassed area on the left about five minutes drive before the beach.
We had packed a picnic lunch, thermos flask and the usual wet weather gear even though the sky overhead was a brilliant blue — never can be too careful.
We parked the car, donned a small back pack and checked out the DOC sign nearby.
However, a sign to mark the start of the track was nowhere to be seen, so we followed our noses and headed towards a gap on the horizon which took us to a nearby stream.
Leaping across some large stones, the track became obvious, and after weaving our way along a narrow path we began a steady climb towards the dense nikau grove, which along with mosses, ferns and 400-year-old trees, makes up this 64-hectare reserve.
Even though I had done this walk many years ago, it certainly came as a very pleasant surprise.
It wasn’t long before the path forked into a loop track — we took the high road and enjoyed the company of whooshing kereru¯, the odd busy tu¯¯ı and nosy fantails along the way.
Part of the track in this reserve was originally an old Maori trail which linked the plains to the south with settlements around Wairoa.
This was developed into a bridle trail in 1860 — by 1900 the inland road to Wairoa had been opened and the track fell into disuse.
Unfortunately we were too busy checking out the almost sub-tropical feel of the bush — immersed amongst a surprising amount of lush nikau — to search for signs of the old trail.
But we did manage to branch off as the loop track peaked and climbed an extra pathway to a picnic area at the top, which can also be accessed off Aramoana Rd.
We plonked ourselves down on the grass — that wet weather gear doubling as a blanket — stretched our legs and enjoyed a tasty feed and flask of tea.
The sun was shining, the insects buzzing, birds flitting and a nap was beckoning. What a splendid way to spend a spare afternoon.
Waipatiki Reserve is an easily accessible track to take your family and friends to experience a little of what has been lost in Hawke’s Bay.
Part of the track in this reserve was originally an old Maori trail which linked the plains to the south with settlements around Wairoa.