Image: DOC
Giant tōtara.
Giant Tōtara Walk

Located in Banks Peninsula area in the Canterbury region

This short walk in Montgomery Scenic Reserve will take you to a huge forked lowland tōtara that is over 2000 years old.

The huge tōtara can be reached after a few minutes walk into the bush. This massive tree may be 2,000 years old and measures 8.5 m around its trunk. The bush also features tōtara, mataī and fuschia/kōtukutuku.

You can carry on to Montgomery Peak Walk.

Drive to Hilltop on the Akaroa Highway then turn along the Summit Road for 200 m to a small area at the side of the road where you can park.

Take care near stinging nettle

Urtica ferox (ongaonga) is an endemic stinging nettle and common in this area. Take care not to touch these plants as they have a very strong sting. Ongaonga are an important host plant of Vanessa gonerilla (kahukura), the endemic red admiral butterfly.