Opouahi Walkway
Located in Boundary Stream area in the Hawke’s Bay region
|
Introduction
Walk around an idyllic lake. Opouahi Scenic Reserve is home to the Opouahi Kiwi Créche.1.4 km loop
This track lies behind the Opouahi Kiwi Crèche's 3.3 km predator-proof fence.
Picnic under the shelter, admire the carvings on the whare waka (canoe shelter), walk around the lake or spend some time swimming, fishing or kayaking.
The site was closed for over a year after being severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023. The track has been re-established but not to its former standard. Additional care should be taken as some sections are narrow, slippery and may become overgrown. In a significant weather event, this location should be avoided due to the increased risk of slips.
Thomas Bush Track starts from a junction halfway round Opouahi Walkway. The track ends at the top Opouahi exit gate. The track within Thomas bush is no longer maintained.
Opouahi Scenic Reserve is located on Pohokura Road between Tūtira and Boundary Stream.
Due to road repairs the travel time to site from Napier can range from 1 hr to 1 hr 30 min. The last 5 minutes of travel will be on a gravel road.
Opouahi Kiwi Créche
The Opouahi Kiwi Crèche is located in Opouahi Scenic Reserve. The crèche is a safe place where kiwi chicks can grow to a weight that is more likely to survive a stoat attach. If left in the wild, only 5% of kiwi chicks survive to adulthood, largely due to predation. Kiwi raised at the crèche are released into the Kaweka Forest Park in an effort to boost the numbers of North Island brown kiwi living in the wild.
Visit Save our Kaweka Kiwi to learn more about the kiwi recovery efforts.
Behind the 3.3 km predator-proof fence lies an idyllic lake surrounded by bush and bird song. Kererū, tūī, fernbird, fantails, dabchicks and pāteke are some of the highlights, often easily seen. Starlings have discovered the safety of the site and often flock to the site in the evenings, you may encounter aromatic areas which indicate where they are currently roosting.
Contacts
| DOC Customer Service Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0800 275 362 |
| napier@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | DOC offices |