I had my first look at the Kopurererua Valley walkway today, completing the section from Wylie Street out to Marshall Avenue (and back). It is a pleasant amble that takes you through mostly lush farmland past various wetland areas, including the Kopurererua Stream for some of the way. Apart from a solitary mountain biker, I didn’t see anyone else during the 45-odd minutes it took for each leg (90 minute total).
As you may know, the walkway is part of the K Valley wetland restoration project. The initiative is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, with a budget of more than NZ$8 million spread over 20 years. If all goes well, it should see 300 hectares of farmland transformed into natural landscape by 2025. This will involve the planting of over a million wetland shrubs and trees and multiple realignments of the Kopurererua Stream.
Judging from what I saw, a whole lot of planting has been going on but the trail is still definitely more farm than wetland. A state the many grazing cows are probably pretty happy about. But there is also a lot of birdlife – pukekos galore – so the transition to a more natural environment is clearly moving forward.
Practicalities
Hopefully a little more of the project’s budget will be spent on signage. The entry point at Wylie Street is, at present, not clearly marked and there are no signs for Marshall Avenue until you reach the point where that section turns off from the main track. This happens about 30 minutes from Wylie and till then you should head for the Lakes.
After Wylie Street, there is also no useful way of crossing from the track that runs along the other side of the Kopurererua Stream. The way across at Wylie is actually just a narrowish pipe, which becomes completely submerged once it rains. Anyone on the far side will only be able to cross at Faulkner Street or the entry to the Lakes circuit near highway 29 (unless you fancy a dip in the fairly murky Kopurererua Stream). Either would require a large deviation.
You can find maps on both the Tauranga City (Home > Exploring > Parks and reserves > Walkways) and Sport Bay of Plenty (Home > Get Active > City on its Feet) Websites but they are a little short on detail. The council ones are available in a single convenient PDF but the individual Sport BOP ones seem to be newer. Satellite view in Google maps also doesn’t seem to show this part of the track as yet.
Impressions
This leg is an easy, relaxing walk along a mostly flat trail. It was a nice way to spend a late Sunday afternoon and I was really happy to see so much birdlife in the reclaimed areas. However, there aren’t really any significant geographic features or sights. Mostly you are strolling through open farmland, against quite gusty winds blowing down the valley. There is also the constant background rumble of the K Valley highway.
Development still seems to be progressing though. A trail is being cut into bush on a hill near the exit point onto Marshall Avenue behind the golf course. While it is not finished, I managed to climb to the top and was rewarded with an impressive view out over the valley. With a few years left on the project, much is still likely to change.
I had hoped to also explore the Lakes trail but ran out of time. I have to admit this caused me more than a little stress. My plan was to do both legs together and then the section toward 17th Avenue the following week. But then I remembered feeling the same way when I was doing my touristy Website in Kyoto. Each time I went somewhere, I was focused on taking photographs and gathering information for my site. It basically became a job and then a chore.
I have resolved that Slow dude will not be like that. I was actually on top of the hill near Marshall Avenue when this lightbulb of realization flashed on. So I hunkered down, took out my oaty bar snacks and water and just sat still for 10 minutes, replenishing my energy, enjoying the view and being present. Do less and appreciate it more. I’ll have details of the Lakes leg next week.
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