5952 Haast Pass-Makarora Road, Makarora, Queenstown-Lakes
Makaroroa being on the exact juncture between the West Coast and Otago and a long way from most places by road it is a natural stopping point. The attraction here as well as a few services, is this twenty minute walk giving a superb introduction to the native trees of a primeval forest where some of the large trees, both beech and podocarps, have been saved from the woodsman's axe. A display of how the treefellers did their work is also here.
From the DOC Centre, follow the grassy path on the edge of SH 6 to the start of the track, one hundred metres north of the Centre. This very easy loop track gives a superb introduction to the native trees of a primeval forest where some of the large trees have been saved from the woodsman’s axe. Here you will see large podocarp species such as kahikatea and rimu interspersed with beech and other natives which are identified for you. The area is also noticeable for its birdlife. We have never seen so many tui, which are slightly larger than blackbirds and have white feathers at the throat. Their song is similar to the bellbird’s but is even more resonant, with croaks and gurgles at the end of the call. Wood pigeons (kereru) are also abundant. Near the end of the walk is a display showing how logs were pitsawn by hand in the late 1800s.
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