Milnthorpe Park is a Scenic Reserve with recreational walking tracks set amongst
re-generating forests, swamps, tidal inlet and Golden Bay beachfront. The Park is dedicated to the planting of trees, to replenishing a once barren land and to nurturing diversity of wildlife habitat.
It was a harsh and barren land
That seemed to bear some dreadful curse
Abused, neglected, swept by fires
The tailings of the universe
And should one, lost, seek haven there
What comfort might we hope to find
Could splendid dreams and work contrive
To heal a tired and troubled mind
And could those dreams and work redeem
Inlet land and make it whole again
Ten thousand trees can testify
Now growing in that green domain
Go walk beneath those cherished trees
And you will feel and understand
How peace and harmony have come
To bless this once cursed land
Frank Soper
Milnthorpe Park is now home to thousands of hand planted Rimu, Rata, Totara, Beech, Miro, Matai and many more NZ natives growing beneath 90 different eucalyptus and 28 acacia species. Thirty years ago Milnthorpe was a barren stretch of abadoned scrub land, so this transformation is a remarkable achievement.
The initial tree planting mission was to establish a strictly indigenous forest over the scrub covered 400 acre coastal site. Planting efforts frequently failed and by 1976 the true nature of the impoverished soils became apparent.
Idealism gave way to pragmatism in a trial planting of exotic trees, of which Australian species proved best adapted to the poor conditions. 90 different eucalyptus and 28 acacia species were trialed. (Cheifly Eucalyptus Botryoides, E. Ovata, E.Saligna, E.Microcorys, E. Grandis, E. Regnans E. Pilularis, E.Fastigata, and Acacia Melanoxylon, A. Dealbata, A. Sophorae, A.Elata)
These trees quickly grew to enrich topsoil layers and provide the crucial canopy of shade that has enabled the successful planting of tens of thousands of longer-lived NZ native specimens. The shade canopy has helped to marginalise the once prolific gorse and Hakea, replaced now by rapidly expanding green undergrowth. Many of the exotic pioneer species are also nitrogen fixing soil improvers and to date results are very encouraging.
Currently the largest trees are the initial generation of exotic pioneer species. Increasingly the slower NZ native specimens are peaking through. These include: Rimu, Rata, Totara, Kahikatea, Ngaio, Akeake, Cabbage, Black Beech, Kohekohe, Puriri, Miro, Matai and many more.
Further to all the hand planted trees, self sown native seedlings are also emerging throughout the park, often attributed to seeds dispersed by birds feeding in neighbouring Kahurangi forests.
The true success of the exotic / indigenous model will emerge in coming centuries as podocarp forest giants mature, soil is thoroughly improved and the coastal forest and swamp habitat is thriving in full diversity.
The infrastructure of walking tracks at Milnthorpe offer numerous routes through the Park; from the beach front to inland Bellshill and Mitch's Lookout. Single tracks range from 10-45mins and you might spend hours to complete a good loop walk.
Click the below map to see Milnthorpe Park tracks or download and print the PDF as well. Copies of this map are available at the Park's main entries.
Many tracks are named to acknowledge support from workers and donors. See the Donations page for more information.
Tracks are maintained as required. If you find damaged tracks or fallen trees please contact park headquarters.
With the replenishing forest and predator control schemes, the bird population has flourished in Milnthorpe Park and surrounding areas. Milnthorpe Park is host to growing populations of most of the common New Zealand species:
Tui, Korimako/Bellbird, Kereru/Wood-Pidgeon, Piwakawaka/Fantail.
You are also likely to see and hear some less common birds including:
Weka, Miromiro/Tomtit, Matata/Fernbird, Riroriro/Grey warbler, Pipiwharauroa/Shining cuckoo, Ruru/Morepork, and Karearea/Falcon.
As a coastal reserve you will also notice sea birds, including:
Takapu/Gannet, Torea/Oystercatcher, Tara/Tern and Kuaka/Godwit (when their migration paths visit New Zealand).
Other wildlife to be found living in the park includes: Whistling frogs, Koura/Fresh water crayfish, Kokopu/Native trout and Tuna/Eels.
Predator control is an ongoing measure to ensure a safe environment for wildlife, especially birds. At Milnthorpe Park a network of traps are monitored to target, stoats rats, possums. Invasive weeds such as banana passionfruit are also actively removed.
The entire four-hundred-acre forest of Milnthorpe Park is maintained by just a few volunteers. Tree-planting, maintaining walking tracks, and pest and weed eradication takes a lot of time, love, and energy. To donate to this incredible project, please contact Dick Nicholls on (+64) 03 524 8373 or email a message from the Contacts tab.
Donations are channelled into the purchase of new native seedlings and track building / maintenance. All records of donations and purchases are transparent and monitored by the incorporated society.
Scroll down to view acknowledgements of donors to date.
Donors and Contibutors named within the park
Areas within the park have been established by donation and named in agreement with the donors. Thank you for helping Milnthorpe Park to grow.
