Information about this reserve and the web page follow.
At the bbq table Campbell wanted to be served beer by “wenches”. As there were no “wenches” in the party he didn’t get any…….the jokes continued ……. Ian G told chicken jokes and sang a chicken song when we came to a really lovely flock of hens. All in all a normal day out!!
The jokes continue about the fare collection- Ian wanted a gratuity- everyone was willing to donate if he stopped telling chicken jokes……….. After lunch we visited Goldies bush – which is much improved since the last time I was there – again well bridged, and well maintained tracks. Some of us walked to Constable road and back, while others took on the stream or other tracks.
A good turn out for this trip. It appears the weather gods had been appeased.
On the way up the hill back to the bus, at Goldies we saw the most beautiful gecko – green with yellow flecks – a testimony to the success of the management of this area. And in Goldies bush we spotted a couple having lunch near the stream watching and feeding a very large eel. We met the eel whisperers later who informed us that the eel was in fact called Neil the Eel…..
Situated in the hills behind Bethell’s beach, this forest and wetland sanctuary is Forest & Bird’s second-largest reserve (www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/reserves/matuku-reserve) occupying a total of 120 hectares. The larger part of the reserve is native forest which is best described as coastally influenced lowland broadleaf forest, with emergent tanekaha and kauri on ridges. Dense with fruiting & flowering species such as puriri, karaka, nikau, rewarewa, kowhai, pigeonwood and mahoe, the forest is a good food source for the thriving tui & kereru populations. In all, over 250 plant species have been recorded in the forest, from perching lilies and orchids to a luxuriant carpet of ferns & sedges that covers the forest floor.At the base of these slopes is the reserve’s 20 hectare wetland, part of the wider Te Henga Wetland, the largest relatively unmodified freshwater marshland in the Auckland region.
- We don’t provide discounts on return to the bus if you don’t like the tramp you have just done (but full marks for trying!)
- We don’t allow preferential booking for seats – except for “you -all -know -who……………….”
-Nor do we provide cheaper fares by booking the seats of your choice on line!
But full marks for your efforts!