Boundary Stream Mainland Island Reserve

Welcome to the Boundary Stream Mainland Island Reserve, located in the beautiful Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. Situated at Tutira, Pohokura Road, 1181, our institution is a must-visit establishment, park, and tourist attraction for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Nestled in the picturesque Boundary Stream area, our reserve offers a unique and immersive experience in the heart of nature. The Tūmanako Loop Track, in particular, is perfect for children, providing a variety of forest types, abundant birdlife, and stunning viewpoints. As you explore the track, you'll come across evidence of pioneer logging history, as well as witness the natural forest recovery of kāmahi, tawa, tawhairaunui/red beech, and tawhairauriki/black beech forests.

Our reserve is a haven for a diverse range of bird species, including pītoitoi/North Island robin, pōpokotea/whitehead, tītitipounamu/rifleman, kōkako, and korimako/bellbird. Keep your eyes peeled for the inquisitive kākā and listen for the enchanting call of the kōkako. You may even spot the majestic Kārearea/New Zealand falcon soaring through the skies from various vantage points along the track.

In addition to the rich birdlife, you'll also have the opportunity to spot rare plants such as neinei, yellow-flowered mistletoe, and ngutu kākā/kākābeak. The track will lead you through farmland, past castle-like limestone formations, and into mixed lowland forest, eventually revealing the breathtaking Shine Falls – the highest waterfall in Hawke's Bay, standing at an impressive 58 meters. Marvel at the kākābeak growing on the cliffs, surrounded by kānuka, kawakawa, kōwhai, and tītoki trees. Don't forget to pack a picnic lunch and keep an eye out for tuna/eels living in the stream at the base of the falls.

For a different experience, venture onto the Kamahi Loop Track, which takes you through a mature podocarp forest and offers captivating aerial displays from kererū, tūī, and korimako/bellbird along the bluff tops. This track is a key site for observing vegetation recovery and the diverse flora of the reserve. Keep an eye out for the "ghost forest," a monoculture of kāmahi trees that sprouted after fires swept through the area a century ago. Witness how the kāmahi provides a stable environment for other species to mature, eventually leading to the forest reverting to its original state.

If you're up for a more challenging adventure, the Bell Rock Loop Track from the Pohokura Road entrance is for you. This track winds through a forest of gnarled broadleaf, horopito/pepperwood, fuchsia, and mataī, offering spectacular midsummer floral displays. However, please exercise extreme caution as Bell Rock has dangerous drop-offs. Always supervise children and ensure their safety.

To make the most of your visit, we recommend starting at the Pohokura Road car park and exploring parts of the Tūmanako and Kamahi loops. This will allow you to experience a cross-section of the reserve's unique features, including an ancient mataī tree that is approximately 800 years old, as well as the opportunity to spot birds such as tītitipounamu/rifleman and the reintroduced pītoitoi/North Island robin.

Please note that the Middle Track, located between the midpoint of the Kamahi Loop and Shine Falls, may be steep and rough in some sections. Take care while traversing this part of the reserve.

To reach the Boundary Stream Mainland Island Reserve, it is approximately a one-hour drive north of Napier. Simply follow State Highway 2 to Tutira, then turn left onto Matahorua Road, and finally left onto Pohokura Road.

Come and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Boundary Stream Mainland Island Reserve. With its stunning landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and captivating tracks, it's a destination that will leave you in awe of New Zealand's natural wonders.