Entrance to Reserve.

Jim Barnett Reserve. This bush was once part of 1000 ha of forest that escaped the pumice ash fallout of the Taupo eruption some 1,800 years ago. It also escaped the bush clearances of 90 years ago, although many massive rimu and totara were logged, as witnessed by the scattered large old stumps.

The Reserve was purchased in 1991. A community effort has seen major replantings in the grass areas that once lay outside the old forest remnant. The new trees are now metres tall. Tracks have been made for walkers, and one of these has been upgraded for about a kilometer to take cycles. Two toilets have been installed, one towards each end of the cycleway. The Trail is well marked with Trail markers as well as track markers for walkers.
A large sheltered grassed picnic area at the southern end offers peace and quiet for anyone wishing to stop to rest at the picnic tables, or to overnight in a tent. You would be woken by the dawn chorus, because the community team has been undertaking pest control for many years and the native bird life has resurged.


HFF.