Description
Pekapeka Regional Park provides access to a 98-hectare wetland system stretching 4.5 kilometres long and 800 metres wide. Trails and boardwalks allow close viewing of the marsh and reedbed habitats, while a lookout offers panoramic views across the valley.
The wetland supports diverse waterfowl including endemic New Zealand Scaup and New Zealand Dabchick, along with others including Grey Teal, Australian Shoveler, Black Swan, Mallard and Paradise Shelduck. Spotless Crake are regularly seen and the elusive Baillon's Crake has been recorded here.
Typically some cormorants are present, including Little Pied Cormorant and Great Cormorant. White-faced Heron are common and Royal Spoonbill visit occassionally. With farmland surrounding the wetland, you also get the typical set of introduced Euroasian birds.
Details
Access
Pekapeka Regional park lies along SH2 about 12km south of Hastings on SH2 (26 km from Napier) and 36.5 km North of Waipukurau. Click on the P on the map for Google Maps directions to the carpark.
There is no public transport to the location. The park has no toilet facilities, and dogs are not permitted.
A network of trails and boardwalks allows you to walk a circular route of about 1 km, with offshoots to the boardwalk across the lake and up to the lookout hill.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , Lake , Reedbeds , Scattered trees and bushesConditions
Flat , Wet , Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
Landscape photo by rsfinlayson (Reddit).
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