Okuti Valley Scenic Reserve walk

Ideal for families, a short walk from the picnic area leads to the start of Reserve Road, a shingle no-exit road.

From a grassy car park and picnic area next to the Okuti Valley Road the track zigzags gently up through the heart of the reserve, eventually meeting back up with Reserve Road. Walkers can either return down the track or follow Reserve Road back down to make a round trip from the picnic area.

Stone picnic tables provide seating for visitors and toilets are available.

Energetic walkers can also choose to continue on the Okuti Track from the end of Reserve Road up to the Hilltop Tavern on the highway to Akaroa. This is about two hours each way.

On the Christchurch to Akaroa Highway turn right just before Little River onto Wairewa Pa Rd. Shortly after there is a left turn onto Kinloch Rd. Follow this until it forks at Okuti Valley Road. Take Okuti Valley Road and continue on for another 3.5 km to the reserve.

Birds are plentiful in this reserve, which features lowland forest such as kahikatea, tōtara, māhoe and kānuka. The kahikatea is growing with Carex secta (large swamp sedge) and is thought to be the last place left on Banks Peninsula for this once very common association.