Elsthorpe: Lowland Forest and Loop Track

Elsthorpe combines mature lowland natural forest with a short loop track and other local open spaces. Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve consists of two separate forest areas covering a total of 35 hectares. Mataī, Kahikatea, Tawa and Tītoki define the forest. Tūī, Bellbird, Kererū and other common native birds live in the bush. Nature lovers will find both a variety of tree species and a diverse native birdlife here.

Experience natural forest on a short loop track

The Loop Track at Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve offers an up-close look at the natural forest. It crosses a boardwalk bridge through lowland podocarp forest and takes 10 to 20 minutes. The separate forest areas and the tree species mentioned give the walk a tangible connection to nature; Tūī, Bellbird and Kererū add the birdlife of the bush.

Access and finding your way around

To reach Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve, drive from Ōtāne along Elsthorpe Road to Elsthorpe, then turn right onto Kairakau Road. The entrance is on the right. Access to the walking track is via a cattle stop off Kairakau Road. There is a small grassy area with a picnic table there. Important for route planning: there is no walking track through the section of the reserve on Elsthorpe Road.

The access point and the track route should be distinguished: the track passes through the forest, while its entrance is off Kairakau Road. If you plan to walk the short Loop Track, you can use the stated duration of 10 to 20 minutes as a guide and take account of its distinctive route over the boardwalk bridge. The picnic table is at the described access point; it is a practical landmark alongside the nature experience.

Sports facilities and cultural connections

Elsthorpe Domain has a different focus from the nature reserve. The domain is on Kahuranaki Road, covers 5.4 hectares and is designated as a sports and recreation park as well as a Recreation Reserve. Its facilities include a cricket ground and a rugby field. This makes the domain a distinct part of the local character: sport and recreation are the focus here, while the reserve offers nature experiences through its forest and loop track.

Elsthorpe Cemetery is also on Kahuranaki Road. It covers 8,093 square metres, is classified as a historic reserve, and serves as both a cemetery and an open green space for recreation. Another cultural dimension concerns Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve: it is included in statutory acknowledgements that recognise Heretaunga Tamatea’s special cultural, historical and traditional association with Crown-owned land. This recognition adds an important cultural context to the natural features.

More nature and outdoor activities across the wider destination

The wider Central Hawke’s Bay District destination includes other landscapes with different characteristics. A’Deanes Bush Scenic Reserve is a 38.5-hectare remnant of the original forest of the Ruataniwha Plains, characterised by Mataī and Kahikatea. On the coast, Te Angiangi Marine Reserve, established in 1997, protects 446 hectares between Aramoana and Blackhead. On its expansive intertidal platform, you can explore rock pools and may see octopuses, rock lobsters, sea anemones or migratory wading birds.

For outdoor activity, the Tukituki Trail in the Central Hawke’s Bay District offers a network of tracks for walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers and horse riders. It combines limestone paths on river stopbanks with road connections between Waipukurau and Waipawa; motor vehicles are not permitted on the tracks. Conditions can change after floods or maintenance work, so it is advisable to check for current information before using the trail.

Explore more destinations

Explore more destinations: Urewera National Park, Patoka, Bridge Pa, Porangahau, Waipukurau, Waipawa, Fernhill, Puketapu.

Go to the wider travel overview: Hawkes Bay.