Totara Reserve opens for summer

Labour Weekend is opening weekend for one of the Region’s most popular camp sites and Horizons Regional Council is encouraging people to get out and enjoy all Totara Reserve has to offer.

Horizons biosecurity and habitat protection manager Bill Martyn says Totara Reserve is the Region’s only regional park and offers plenty of opportunities for people to get up close with nature.

“Totara Reserve is one of the best and most accessible examples of the ancient lowland forest that used to cover much of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region,” Mr Martyn says.

“It’s a haven for native birds, particularly kereru and tui. In December last year we began a native bird monitoring programme, and initial surveying suggests increased sightings can be linked to pest control efforts.

“We’ve also discovered whitehead and tomtit, which is really encouraging as we didn’t think these two species were present in the Reserve.”

While it may be too chilly for swimming just yet, Mr Martyn says the park has a number of walking tracks to suit all fitness levels.

“The Fern Walk, which takes 3-4 hours, leads you through the most intact part of the Reserve, while the shorter Pettifar and Gilchrist Loop tracks lead you down to the Pohangina River and make use of the Old Coach Road.

“We also have barbeques, toilets, showers and drinking water on site, making it the perfect picnic spot.”

Powered and non-powered camping sites are available from Labour Weekend through until Easter Weekend next year.

Bookings are necessary for powered sites and can be made by contacting Kelly on 06 3294 737. Unpowered sites operate on a first in first served basis.

More information about the Reserve, its facilities and rates for camping is available via the Horizons Regional Council website www.horizons.govt.nz

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