Opepe Reserve

Opepe Reserve is an original and regenerating native bush reserve embracing the original Taupo to Napier road.

The original road followed the traditional Maori tracks over the ranges and into the Lake Taupo region.

The bush reserve has the remains of the logging industry with a pit saw, partly cut Totara trees and plaques describing the nineteenth century logging industry and its impact on the environment.

It is a special moment when you are retracing the footsteps of people on the overgrown highway, imaging all of those who went before.

There is public car parking on both sides of the road. The reserve is surprisingly quiet, as it abuts a major highway. Within a few paces of entering the reserve the sight and sound of a highway disappears into bird sound and forest whispers. The walk is relatively flat although in wet weather it could be slippery with the vegetation. Public toilets: has a compostable toilet on site

TIP: Safety – The reserve is split in two by a major highway which you need to cross over to explore both sides of the reserve.

The highway has a speed limit of 100km. Exercise caution with children crossing the road. For more information abou the reserve click here for Opepe walks: Taupō area.

VISIT DURATION   1 – 1 ½ hours

Where is it?

Read more…