Puketitiri Reserves walks
Track category
Short walk
Description
Hutchinson Scenic Reserve
Time: 20 min
The reserve entrance and picnic area is adjacent to the DOC Puketitiri Field Centre.
There is a pleasant 20 minutes grassed loop walk through open forest and clearings, including groves of cabbage trees.
Ball's Clearing Scenic Reserve
Time: 10 - 40 min
There is no better place in Hawke's Bay to experience a lowland podocarp forest than Balls Clearing Scenic Reserve, located 5 km from Puketitiri along the Pakaututu Road. There is now a 800 metre stretch of track suitable for people using wheelchairs.
A long tailed bat
This outstanding example of dense virgin podocarp forest is best seen from the network of walking tracks that vary in time from 10 to 40 minutes. Photography, birdwatching and natural history studies are appropriate activities here. Its also a good place to view our native nocturnal long tailed bat. Picnic shelters are provided at the reserve entrance as well as a large grassed area, toilets and water.
Please note that no fires or camping are allowed.
Little Bush
Time: 45 min
Little Bush refers to the smaller area of native forest remaining from the extensive logging operations and fires. This contrasts with Ball's Clearing Forest which was earlier referred to as Big Bush. It is a private reserve, open to the public at all times. Access is off Little Bush Road, off Puketitiri Road.
A 45 minute circular track passes through the regenerating forest of abundant ferns, climbers and native orchids. The low forest canopy enables rewarding bird watching. The more common birds are tui and piwakawaka (fantail) but also present are korimako (bellbird) and kereru (wood pigeon).
William Hartree Memorial Scenic Reserve
Time: 20 min to 1 hr
Keep a look out for the directional roadside sign 6 km past Patoka on the left. The network of tracks ranging from 20 minutes to a one hour walk gives a good insight into the varied regenerating vegetation.
Getting there
The reserves are all located off Puketitiri Road, at Puketitiri, one hour's drive from Napier. They are all near to Kaweka Forest Park.
Places to stay
There is no DOC camping or hut accommodation available at any of the reserves and camping is not permitted. The nearest DOC accommodation available is in the neighbouring Kaweka Forest Park.
The Lodge in the William Hartree Memorial Scenic Reserve is available for use by the public. Bookings can be organised through the Napier Branch of Forest and Bird.