This 330-hectare reserve overlooking Waikanae contains a large remnant of native kohekohe forest. The reserve rises steeply from 150m to its highest point, Te Au (514m), a steep hike of three to four hours on the Te Au Track. The Kohekohe Walk is also here, an easy 30-minute amble on a well-formed path.
Hemi Matenga Memorial Park Scenic Reserve
North Island
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
21 MILES
The turn-off to the main eastern entrance of the huge Tararua Forest Park is just south of Masterton on SH2; follow Norfolk Rd about 15km to the gates…
1.35 MILES
Waikanae's main visitor lure, Ngā Manu is a 15-hectare bird sanctuary dotted with picnic areas, bushwalks, aviaries and a nocturnal house with kiwi, owls…
9.13 MILES
One of the last relatively unchanged areas of dunes and wetlands along the Kāpiti Coast, this undulating 650-hectare park offers swimming, walking,…
4.51 MILES
Paraparaumu's oddest claim to fame is surely this 14m-high statue of the Madonna, looming over the town from a 75m-high hill. It was commissioned by the…
24.88 MILES
A beacon of culture and delight, the excellent Dowse is worth visiting for its jaunty architecture alone. It’s a family-friendly, accessible art museum…
24.48 MILES
On the site of an old coach stop, complete with original stables and well-worn cobbled courtyard, this endearing museum features transplanted period…
26.47 MILES
Built for the centenary of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1940, this gorgeous little art-deco building on the shell-strewn Petone foreshore contains a fun and…
2.81 MILES
This huge hangar-like museum looks like a 1960s university but houses one of Australasia’s largest collections of antique and unusual cars. Check out the…
Nearby North Island attractions
1. Ngā Manu Nature Reserve
1.35 MILES
Waikanae's main visitor lure, Ngā Manu is a 15-hectare bird sanctuary dotted with picnic areas, bushwalks, aviaries and a nocturnal house with kiwi, owls…
2.81 MILES
This huge hangar-like museum looks like a 1960s university but houses one of Australasia’s largest collections of antique and unusual cars. Check out the…
4.51 MILES
Paraparaumu's oddest claim to fame is surely this 14m-high statue of the Madonna, looming over the town from a 75m-high hill. It was commissioned by the…
8.19 MILES
A glimpse into historic Wellington by way of restored wooden trams and museum displays housed in a large garage. Take a 2km tram ride through Queen…
9.13 MILES
One of the last relatively unchanged areas of dunes and wetlands along the Kāpiti Coast, this undulating 650-hectare park offers swimming, walking,…
21 MILES
The turn-off to the main eastern entrance of the huge Tararua Forest Park is just south of Masterton on SH2; follow Norfolk Rd about 15km to the gates…
24.48 MILES
On the site of an old coach stop, complete with original stables and well-worn cobbled courtyard, this endearing museum features transplanted period…
24.88 MILES
A beacon of culture and delight, the excellent Dowse is worth visiting for its jaunty architecture alone. It’s a family-friendly, accessible art museum…