Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > Taranaki > Okato - Blue Rata Scenic Reserve
Okato - Blue Rata Scenic Reserve
- Location
- Blue Rata Scenic Reserve is located on the Banks of the Stony (Hangatahua) River off Saunders Road.
- Description
This 32.8ha reserve on the right bank of the Stony (Hangatahua) River has / scenic, picnic and fishing attractions. It is close to the boundary of Egmont National Park on Saunders Rd. There are sheltered picnic sites on the roadside and along the river bank with good places to swim.
The bush is dominated by kamahi, but the reserve is called Blue Rata because it is scientifically important as a refuge of the 'Stony River Blue Rata'. This tree is a terrestrial form of the common northem rata.
The blue-tinged timber is dense, straight grained and very strong, making it highly desirable for logging. Originally there were 2500ha of blue rata forest this was milled in the 1930s. The reserve has the best remaining stand of blue rata outside Egmont National Park.
- Amenities
-
- Fishing
- Historical
- Picnics
- Swimming
- Source
- www.trc.govt.nz
- Discussion
- Start a discussion on this walk