This is another fantastic place, second in my list after the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. It has no fence but pest mammals like possums and rats are controlled, so you will spot a lot of birds. When I was there the bush seemed full of tuis, filling the air with their beautiful song.
But as there are no controls in this area, you will also see some idiots – mostly women, with and without children – who let their dogs run free, take a swim in the stream, and scare away the birds, and make their kids learn for the future :-( They do not mind the signs that dogs should be kept on a leash at all times. A nuisance that I observe all over NZ.
About 11 km of
walking tracks weave through the forest and open grass areas of Otari-Wilton’s Bush which primarily is a native botanic garden and forest reserve of 100 hectares. There is a so-called Troup Picnic Area along the Kaiwharawhara Stream. It has coin-operated gas BBQ’s – apart from the free running dogs… (But please do not think there would be dogs everywhere! The problem is that already one can be terribly annoying if the owners do not look after them. On the day I was there - during the week - I met only a handful of people.)
There are several access points to the reserve. The main entrance and car park are between the Wilton Bowling Club and Otari School.
From the Banks Entrance at the corner of Wilton Road and Gloucester Street you get on to a 75 m long Canopy Walkway which leads to the Visitor Centre (open 8am – 4pm). From this 75 m long and bridge-like boardwalk 18 m above the ground you can have a good look at what happens in the tree canopies. (But do not expect an exciting treetop walk like in South-West Australia, it really feels more like a normal bridge.)
About 150 species of flowering plants, conifers and ferns can be found in the forest. A 800 year old rimu is their pride. It is part of forest remnants of rimu and matai. In total the plant collections of the reserve include about 1200 species from the whole of New Zealand. It is the only botanic garden in NZ dedicated solely to native plants.
Such a lot of native plants attract native birds. I already mentioned the incredible lot of tui. Other species are kereru (NZ woodpigeon), fantail, silvereye, kingfisher, grey warbler, and morepork.
To keep the bush growing, aggressive weeds like old man’s beard, ivy, and jasmine are controlled – meaning: eradicated. Plants are grown from seed collected in the forest and planted in selected areas.
Directions:Bus # 14 from Lambton Quay, get off at Gloucester Street, outside the main entrance.
By car: Main car park on Wilton Road, another one on Churchill Drive.
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Phone: (04) 475 3245
Website: www.wellington.govt.nz
Other Contact: Email: otari@wcc.govt.nz
on Apr 16, 2008
