Sutherlands Puriri Reserve

Situated on Turakina Valley Road, near the Junction of Mangahoe Road, this 60-hectare Forest and Bird managed reserve is bordered by the Turakina River. 

Inside the gate, a recently refreshed picnic area is a great place ot check you’ve got the necessities, or to simply enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings. A composting loo is also situated here, for your convenience.

After a few hundred metres, a mailbox contains a visitor book; from here,  choose from three marked tracks: red (30 minutes), yellow (60 minutes), and blue (90 minutes).

The blue and yellow tracks follow the Turakina River and lead to well-preserved Māori food storage pits, while the shorter red track branches off.

The forest is a mix of Kahikatea, Kanuka, Tawa, and Mapou, with Tui, Kereru, Kingfisher, and Shining Cuckoo calling it home. Sulphur-Crest Cockatoos are also seen and heard in the area, a species introduced in the 1900s.

Parking is available on the roadside.

Be sure to check out Sutherlands Mangahoe reserve and Lairds Bush, also located on the Whanganui-Hunterville route.

Wildlife: 1

Scenic: 1

History / Points of interest: 1/2

Quiet / Relaxed: 1
Visit again: 1/2

Smiles per Hour rating: 4