Explore the captivating forest inside the Wainuiomata catchment area by booking a tour.
Today, I embarked on the Old Forest Walk, a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the splendor of a guided tour through a 1,000-year-old forest. Typically off-limits to the public, stepping into this primeval realm, surrounded by ancient native rātā and rimu, feels like a journey back in time. The well-informed park ranger, enriched the experience with fascinating stories about the park’s natural heritage and sharing insights into the diverse flora and fauna thriving in this remarkable environment.
The tour had a maximum capacity of 20 people and was offered free of charge, necessitating an early reservation to secure a spot. Unfortunately, when I initially tried to book, all tickets were already taken. However, I remained vigilant, regularly checking the website in anticipation of cancellations. True to my expectations, tickets became available. To increase your chances of securing the tour for yourself, it’s advisable to mark the date when the free tickets go on sale . Set a reminder in your calendar to book a ticket to ensure a higher likelihood of securing a spot.
The ranger and accompanying staff led the group on a comprehensive 4-hour tour. Commencing at 9 am from the Whitcher Road / Reservoir Road car park, we drove through two gates, ultimately parking near the Wainuiomata Treatment Plant and Morton Dam. With the opportunity for a toilet break before embarking on foot we then walked on a forested road before veering off the road to explore the old forest. The journey included navigating three creek crossings on Skull Gully Stream, making it likely that footwear would get wet, particularly given the non-loop nature of the walk. As it was an out-and-back excursion, participants encountered creek crossings a total of six times throughout the trek. (Although, I managed to only get one boot wet.) The walk maintained a moderate level of difficulty, but the tour is deemed unsuitable for children under 14 years of age.
Within the depths of the forest, the ranger highlighted a specific area with a kiwi burrow, while later, drawing attention to several majestic trees surpassing the millennium mark. One tree had an estimated age of 1300 years. In fact, the area is so unique that it may be designated a fenced off sanctuary with a plan to create what will be called Puketahā Wildlife Sanctuary, a place to protect endangered New Zealand birds.
If you get the chance to go on this tour, you should take it. It will never be open to the public outside of invited tours as the area is typically off-limits and seldom visited. But the allure to experience nature at its finest is a unique opportunity that should not be missed.
