There is a loop track through the reserve, which crosses over three small foot bridges and takes between 20-30 minutes to complete. There is also a lookout platform in the reserve, from which there is a good view of Wainui Beach and the surrounding hills.
There is a grassy picnic area close to the car park with several picnic tables and plenty of room to spread out. The track is well formed and graded and suitable for all age groups and levels of fitness.
The Okitu Scenic Reserve is located on SH35, about 8 km east of central Gisborne, at the northern end of Wainui Beach. There is a small car park adjacent to the reserve which is near the base of Makorori Point.
As the reserve is right on the edge of SH35, care should be taken driving in and out of the car park, as traffic may appear with little warning. Visitors are also advised to stand clear of the road and to supervise children while in the car park.
The original vegetation in the reserve was a small remnant of modified coastal forest with broad-leaved species and puriri. The main species indigenous to the area would have been kohekohe and puriri, with a number of other plants such as ti kouka, mahoe and ngaio.
The forest remnant was heavily modified. Substantial plantings over the last 20 years have introduced or reintroduced many plant species. Plantings have been made of: whau, mahoe, mapou, koromiko, totara, ti kouka, flax, rewarewa, tanekaha, kawakawa, rangiora, pittosporum and coprosma species, hangehange, ngaio wharangi, kowhai ngutukaka (kaka beak), kowhai, taraire, nikau, kauri and tawapou.
Although some of these species such as kauri are not endemic to the Gisborne District, they are thriving, probably due to climatic changes in the area.
There are a number of bush bird species that have made their home in the reserve. Those most commonly seen (and hear) are kereru (native wood pigeon) and fantail (piwakawaka), with occasional tui, grey warbler and bellbirds.
Educational opportunities
The reserve has been developed specifically as a place to teach school students about biodiversity and conservation. Its proximity to Gisborne City makes it very accessible to larger groups and there are regular school visits to the site.
School students have also taken part in conservation work in the reserve doing things such as helping staff repair fences and contributing design ideas for the recreational facilities.
The Okitu Scenic Reserve was created in 1974 when a 2.66 ha piece of land, informally know as "Lysnar's Bush", was donated to the Crown by Winifred Frances Lysnar. The land was reserved in memory of her parents W. Douglas and Ada E. Lysnar who were long term residents of the area. At this time the Gisborne branch members of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand were appointed managers and guardians of the reserve.
Over a number of years members of the Forest and Bird Society cleared away bracken and weeds, planting out some 3,500 plants to vegetate the reserve. They also made tracks and erected a footbridge and picnic table for visitors.
In 1988 the management of the reserve was taken over by the Department of Conservation at the request of the Forest and Bird Society. Since then the Department has continued with the planting programme begun by the Forest and Bird Society, and has also periodically upgraded the fencing and recreational facilities.
Many different charity and conservation groups have assisted with the management of the reserve and the maintenance of the facilities over the years, and it is a popular place with visitors and local residents.
DOC Customer Service Centre
| Phone: | 0800 275 362 |
| Email: | gisborne@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Gisborne Office |