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Awa Awa Reserve
Judith Armstrong - 2/7/99
At the Foot of Mt Hutt, Awa Awa reserve
- a little known treasure.
Thousands travel to Mt Hutt, Canterbury's best known ski-field, every
year,
unaware of the historic forest and picnic area nestled at the base of
the
mountain.
The Mount Hutt Forest, together with the adjoining reserves of Pudding
Hill
and Awa Awa, are remnants of early forest that extended over the
Canterbury
plains and along the foothills. Now the forest covers an area of more
than
4000 hectares. Mountain beech is the predominant species, with
totara,
fuchsia and many ground ferns.
Only one hour's drive from Christchurch, there is something for
everybody.
Children enjoy playing in the streams, adults love the rhododendron
garden
and barbecues. Walkers, the fit and the not-so-fit, enjoy the bush
and the
startling view over the patchwork of the Canterbury Plains.
Above the bush-line snow tussocks and alpine herbs are found, and from
here
are magnificent views of the Canterbury Plains and foothills - right
to the
ocean on a clear day.
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The picnic area in midsummer
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The Awa Awa picnic area, complete with barbecues and a shelter, is
secluded
and peaceful in the shadows of the mountain.
Its rhododendrons are magnificent when flowering in October and
November.
The Southern rata, although rare in Canterbury, is present in this
reserve.
An inviting stream provides hours of entertainment for children.
From the reserve a number of short and exciting paths can be
explored. For
the more energetic, the Awa Awa loop and ridge tracks provide
undulating
walks above the picnic area and opportunities to view the plains
through
windows in the bush.
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The bush in Awa Awa Reserve
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The bush has abundant bird life, including the bellbird, tomtit,
rifleman,
wood pigeon and grey warbler. Keas live above the bushline.
Further along the track is an area of exotic forest where larch has
been
planted. The transition from native forest is sudden, yet the larch
plantation has its own beauty, as the track drops steeply to the
Pudding
Hill stream.
For the more energetic Scotts saddle track takes at least five hours
and
runs along beside the ski field road, where another view of the plains
and
Port Hills is obtained. This is an interesting one-day tramp for
experienced trampers on a fine day.
See map
The forest itself can be surprisingly sheltered from the nor'westers
that
rage over the summit of Mount Hutt during spring. However, rainfall
is
moderately high, ranging from 1000 mm to 2000 mm a year at the Mount
Hutt
ranges. Summer temperatures are hot in the sheltered valleys, winter
temperatures fall well below zero and hoar frosts are common.
In summer it is an ideal place for picnics with children or
grandchildren.
They love roaming and exploring the stream and forest and running wild
on
the grassy stretches.
In the spring take visitors to see the rhododendrons in bloom, their
colours vibrant against the dark green backdrop. But most of all, I
have
tramped the tracks and reached the heights to gain a new perspective
of our
everyday world. For whatever reason you go, Awa Awa reserve and its
surrounding forest is a delight to visit.
Mount Hutt Forest is 100 km from Christchurch. Access is gained from
State Highway 72, on to
McLennans'
Bush Rd, which is the road that gives access to the ski field. The
reserve
is about 2 km past the ski field turn off.
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