Beautiful forest walks

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 22

Beautiful forest walks

There are many beautiful forest walks around Hamner Springs, starting in Jollies Pass road, signposted to give views of nearby peaks and showing the different kinds of exotic trees. The fire lookout may be reached by car or on foot, and for six months of the year this is the home of the fire spotter who has an unsurpassed view of the forest, A sub-alpine walk, for which the best part of the day should be allowed, is also available. At the top of nearby Conical Hill which is reached either by car or on foot, is a very fine rest house with shelter on all four sides from the prevailing wind, and from which a good view is obtained of the surrounding countryside. Forestry began in 1902 after the purchase of 240 ha of the St Helen’s run, and up to 1913 planting was done by prison labour. The forest now covers 81OOha, stocked area and to be planted 4800 ha.

The most widely grown species is the corsican pine, but other trees include larches, radiata, ponderosa, Douglas firs, alder, hemlock, silver birch, macrocarpa, eucalyptus, spruce, poplars, Japanese larch and Austrian pine. There also is a commercial vehicle and accommodation service. Tussock Trekkers, which was started for the area last August by Murray Sisson (phone 7193 or 707 at home). He has set up a wide variety of services, including a 12-seater camper vehicle for fishing or camping, artists or photographic groups. The high country tours can be undertaken in this four-wheel drive bus, but a hire car is also available for. some trips, with a minimum of four people per trip. Other tempting tours include the half-day ones, to Hossack Station, Lake Tennyson, Amuri • ski-field and accommodation house, or just town and around.