We drive to Makarora to what was DOC’s Makarora Base. The track leads off the Nature walk and climbs up to the bush line to give good views of the Southern Alps, particularly Mt Albert. While only a short distance (6km) it is an 800m climb and the DOC estimate is a five hour round trip. (Mt Roy is 16km and 1260m climb).
The Nature walk section takes about 15 minutes (1 km). Starting from the car park, just north of the Makarora Tourist Centre, this looped track passes through podocarp and silver beech forest with good specimens of matai, miro, kahikatea and rimu. Another feature is a pitsaw display, illustrating this pioneering timber milling technique.
Note: The upgrade to the parking area adjacent to our usual meeting place is ongoing, so we will meet at 0930 at the Wanaka Station Park parking area in Homestead Close.
Greg Martin (trip leader)
