Potaema Wetland Walk @ Toptracks.info

Where is it?

Starting from Stratford, head up Pembroke Road to the National Park. You will find the track on the left six and a half kilometres after Pembroke School, or around three and a half kilometres past the Department of Conservation headquarters.

Features

This is one of the few wetland habitats on the mountain. Raised boardwalks take you into the wetland a short distance. Different plants and if you are quiet, and lucky, different birds can be seen.

Accessibility

As this track is being repaired, the last third of this track was not great in 2004. The boardwalks are extremely slippery, and there is plenty of water. However the two thirds that have been completed are of a very high standard and could be suitable for strollers. Fifteen minutes return should be enough to complete Potaema.

Dangers

The old raised walkway that went into the wetland has been removed, whether the new one will also venture this far remains to be seen. Although it was only about a metre off the ground, was narrow and had no handrails. How far you would sink if you fell off would be an interesting question for children to imagine? There wasn't a large area at the end, so if with a group, maybe only five at a time on the boardwalk?

Additional Notes

This walk obviously lends itself to studies of vegetation or birds. It’s probably too short to do on its own, but short enough to do in association with another walk or activity.

The Department of Conservation web site has some information in a PDF file called Egmont National Park. There are also pupil activities at the end of this, see below.

Potaema (pp 11, activities 27,31,28)

http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/for-teachers/field-trip-resources/

field-trips-by-region/wanganui/egmont-national-park/teaching-resource/


Potaema Wetlands
DoC recommended times and track type:
15 - 30 minutes
short walk
This very short walk off the Stratford Mountain access road gives access to a small wetland area. The plants are very different and well worth a look. The track is currently being improved, and was nearing completion in November 2005. A pre site visit would be required to check progress.

Where is it? Starting from Stratford, head up Pembroke Road to the National Park. You will find the track on the left six and a half kilometres after Pembroke School, or around three and a half kilometres past the Department of Conservation headquarters. Features This is one of the few wetland habitats on the mountain. Raised boardwalks take you into the wetland a short distance. Different plants and if you are quiet, and lucky, different birds can be seen. Accessibility As this track is being repaired, the last third of this track was not great in 2004. The boardwalks are extremely slippery, and there is plenty of water. However the two thirds that have been completed are of a very high standard and could be suitable for strollers. Fifteen minutes return should be enough to complete Potaema. Dangers The old raised walkway that went into the wetland has been removed, whether the new one will also venture this far remains to be seen. Although it was only about a metre off the ground, was narrow and had no handrails. How far you would sink if you fell off would be an interesting question for children to imagine? There wasn't a large area at the end, so if with a group, maybe only five at a time on the boardwalk? Additional Notes This walk obviously lends itself to studies of vegetation or birds. It’s probably too short to do on its own, but short enough to do in association with another walk or activity. The Department of Conservation web site has some information in a PDF file called Egmont National Park. There are also pupil activities at the end of this, see below. Potaema (pp 11, activities 27,31,28) http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/for-teachers/field-trip-resources/ field-trips-by-region/wanganui/egmont-national-park/teaching-resource/
This information was gathered while on site in 2004.