Ratapihipihi Scenic Reserve @ Toptracks.info

Ratapihipihi Scenic Reserve

DoC recommended times:

Where is it? Head west to the end of New Plymouth’s one way system and turn left up the hill past Western Park, continue up Tukapa street past Base Hospital, then Westown supermarket. On the right will appear Davies road, then Cowling road, take either of these. Follow the road to the left and past Westown Horticulture. Continue on into the country. This becomes a ‘no exit’ road. Ratapihipihi road will come up on the right after about a kilometre. It is a 200m long gravel road. Travel down this to the turning and parking area at the end. Go through the gate and head to the left to find the start of the walk.
Features Both these lovely walks are easy, the longer one should be within the capabilities of new entrant children. The track surface is excellent, there are steps where necessary and five well constructed bridges across a gentle stream that meanders through the reserve. There is a small waterfall about half way around. The nikau palms make this a different sort of place. It would be an ideal place to sit and draw, or just to listen to the sounds. There are plenty of birds. There are lots of places to take photos, so if you were studying photography, this would not be a bad place to start. Although this is a straight forward walk for any age, there is a short, but what seems a long climb out at the end. There is a small grassed area for picnics or play behind the parking area.
Accessibility Easy! While you couldn't take wheelchairs because of the steps, you just about could! School groups from new entrants up. Dangers You would have to go out of your way to be unsafe here. Additional Information The Department of Conservation has done some wonderful for teachers on this Reserve, web pages and a twelve page PDF titled Ratapihipihi, that is well worth downloading before going on this walk. It provides a range of things to look out for as you walk as well as a number of activities for school groups. Click the link below to locate the download page. http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/for-teachers/ field-trip-resources/field-trips-by-region/wanganui/ratapihipihi-scenic-reserve/
This information was gathered while on site in 2004.

Where is it?

Head west to the end of New Plymouth’s one way system and turn left up the hill past Western Park, continue up Tukapa street past Base Hospital, then Westown supermarket. On the right will appear Davies road, then Cowling road, take either of these. Follow the road to the left and past Westown Horticulture. Continue on into the country. This becomes a ‘no exit’ road. Ratapihipihi road will come up on the right after about a kilometre. It is a 200m long gravel road. Travel down this to the turning and parking area at the end. Go through the gate and head to the left to find the start of the walk.

Features

Both these lovely walks are easy, the longer one should be within the capabilities of new entrant children. The track surface is excellent, there are steps where necessary and five well constructed bridges across a gentle stream that meanders through the reserve. There is a small waterfall about half way around. The nikau palms make this a different sort of place. It would be an ideal place to sit and draw, or just to listen to the sounds. There are plenty of birds.

There are lots of places to take photos, so if you were studying photography, this would not be a bad place to start. Although this is a straight forward walk for any age, there is a short, but what seems a long climb out at the end.

There is a small grassed area for picnics or play behind the parking area.


Ratapihipihi Scenic Reserve
DoC recommended times:
15 or 40 minutes

This small but interesting reserve is on the outskirts of New Plymouth. There are two loop walks, one of 15 minutes, the other 40. Its most amazing feature is the abundance of nikau palms. The track surface is gravel.