Instructive Trip to Tautuku Scenic Reserve Made by Dunedin Members

Forest and Bird, Issue 156, 1 May 1965, Page 3

Instructive Trip to Tautuku Scenic Reserve Made by Dunedin Members

By

J. D. S. ROBERTS

About 100 members and interested guests of the Dunedin Branch of the Society inspected the recently acquired Tautuku Scenic Reserve, in the Catlins district, on 6 February.* The 110-mile run from Dunedin was done in private cars and three buses.

The party was joined en route by Mr. W. D. F. King, who, with a thorough knowledge of the Catlins district, imparted much interesting information about the localities visited.

Unfortunately the day began with heavy showers and remained overcast, with later diminishing squalls and intermittent gleams

of sun. The 52-mile run to Balclutha was through cultivated and grazing lands, but from there bush appeared in isolated patches on low rolling hills.

Owaka, the main centre of Catlins, was passed before noon, after which the bush thickened, with park-like areas studded with stands of rimu, matai, beech, and kahikatea; and large areas of coppery-brown-tinted kamahi (known locally as kamai) became more plentiful.

Catlins Lake was skirted, and some miles on, from the summit of Gibb’s Hill (600 ft), an extensive view of the semi-cleared Huiapapa Valley, with Pounawea away to the north, was obtained. Caberfeidt Hill was

*See the Auqust, 1964, issue of “Forest and Bird.”

Heading photo: Some of the party at Tautulcu Bay on their way to see the Society's new scenic reserve.