We needed somewhere for a lunch stop on the way up country. We had packed food and drinks but wanted something more than a road side tree. Mangaweka Scenic Reserve popped into the map. We took a left turn just before the township and two corners up the hill, we parked in a small gravel pit on the right hand side of the road. The entrance is in the left hand side of the road, just to the left of the signage. We wandered in and, as has become the norm, our two mountain goats, bounced off up the track. I wandered along at toddler pace as he lurched from one side of the track to the other, over rocks, trampling through grass and weeds. The track is a little overgrown with a few little slips here and there but not dangerous. After traipsing up some steps, we found the picnic spot. Simply a chair at the top of a hill with lovely views. We enjoyed hot drinks with our Jetboil (just because we can!) and a full array of picnicking foods! The spot is really sunny and warm. The loop track carries on up the hill a little and back down a raft of steps. It takes about an hour from start to finish. Today, though, we headed back the way we came. Fortunately we did as we got to see a really long train heading through with about 40 carriages! Toddler was pretty impressed (so were his parents - we’re train supporters!). Would recommend Mangaweka Scenic Reserve for a nice lunch stop on a journey from Palmy or even for a nature day out. It’s a good, basic, get into nature spot - no frills, no charge. There is birdlife, bug life and many of my favourite tree - the tall, useful beauty, kahikatea.
A little further down the road, at Hunterville, is Bruce Park, which has a Kiwi Guardians medal too. How lucky are we to have these beautiful spots right on the side of the road? Maybe combine the two for an epic nature adventure?
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AuthorI'm Kate. I have 3 children - 2 bios and a steppie, 1 under 5 and 2 tweenagers. I am determined to spend more time outside this year and share more of Palmy's wonderful places and free play activities. Categories
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