People, places and history make station so special
Journey into the heart of New Zealand with Blue Duck Station, a captivating portrait of one of the country’s most environmentally significant stations. Nestled alongside Whanganui National Park, this remarkable station combines traditional farming practices with tourism, conservation and new ways of doing things.
Through the pages of her book, Nicola McCloy introduces the people, the places and the history that make Blue Duck Station such an extraordinary part of New Zealand.
We asked McCloy some questions:
Why did you choose to write about Blue Duck Station?
I heard an interview with Dan Steele from Blue Duck Station on the radio a few years ago. He was such a good storyteller that I sat in the car and listened to the whole interview and ended up being late for an appointment.
After that, I sent a message to the publisher saying, “You have to check this guy out!”
Why is it one of new Zealand’s most environmentally significant stations?
The ecological make-up of the station makes it significant as there are so many native species to be found there, quite a few of which are endangered or vulnerable. Then there’s the land itself, some of which is in virgin native bush and much of which is in regenerating bush. Add to that the Retaruke and Whanganui Rivers and the Kaiwhakauka Stream all running through the place.
Why is the station such a popular tourist destination?
For overseas visitors, it provides an up-close-and-personal experience of rural life in this country while also offering plenty of adventures. In part, I think that’s because people were looking for something different to replace their usual overseas holidays but also I think it was because Blue Duck offers something for pretty much everyone.
What can you do at the station?
For the more active visitor there’s horse trekking, guided hunting trips, kayaking and jet boat trips on the Whanganui River, and some gorgeous tracks for walking and mountain biking. If you prefer a more sedate pace, the bush safari — which can include a short kayak trip to Blue Duck Falls — is a great way to see the property, learn about its history and see the conservation work being done there close up.
Did you participate in any of the activities while writing this book?
As long as I can remember, I’ve had a visit to the Bridge to Nowhere on my bucket list, so I was stoked to join a jetboat tour along the Whanganui River to Mangapurua Landing, which Dan was guiding.
Being on the river in the morning mist then walking through the bush to the bridge, listening to native birdsong and hearing Dan tell stories about the settlement was magic. When I wasn’t working, I’d wander off along some of the walking tracks around the station. I also loved hopping in the Retaruke River just below Lacys Bridge for a swim at the end of a hot day!