Bruce Park Loop Track

Bruce Park Loop Track

Hunterville

3 Rankers Reviews

2 Face-to-Face

3 Marton

Your Nature Guide

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Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

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Information

Bruce Park Loop Track

1.3 km return | 30 minutes return

Robert Cunningham Bruce, after whom the scenic reserve is named, was a pioneer of the district and once represented the area in parliament. A keen naturalist, he was passionate about New Zealand’s flora and fauna and gifted this 30 hectares to the people of New Zealand. Bruce would have turned in his grave had he known the country’s main highway ploughed right through the middle of his reserve. Thankfully it has now been rerouted to give this forest a second chance.

This is a good leg stretcher to break the monotony of SH1.

Walking Track

Access

5.3 km south of Hunterville on SH1, turn into Aldworth Road. Bruce Park Scenic Reserve is signposted shortly after on the right by a locked gate.

Track

Follow the old routing of SH1 and climb the steps to the left after the second gate. The tracks are even and metalled, with only minor undulations. At the meeting of the figure of eight is the RC Bruce Memorial and nearby is the RC Bruce Memorial Gate.

Flora

Some sizeable mature podocarps, including kahikatea, matai and rimu occupy the reserve. These tower over and above the understorey of pigeonwood, lancewood and mahoe.

European History

The monument was erected in 1924 and remembers his generosity. It lies near the centre of the reserve and one part of the plaque reads “This park is given to the people of New Zealand and to the residents of this district in particular, in order that they may have before them a beautiful specimen of New Zealand forest life”. Were it not for the foresight of people like Bruce, not even the likes of this remnant would have been saved from the loggers and pastoralists.

The reserve was originally owned by the Aldworth Family, who sold it to the Bruce Estate trustees in 1930. It was gifted to the Crown in 1954.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Manawatu/Whanganui

Central government organisation

Location

North IslandManawatu - WanganuiMarton

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-39.96498454714

175.525953674316

Latitude
-39.96498454714
Longitude
175.525953674316

Nearby

Reviews

    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 1
    33%
    9/10 0
    0%
    8/10 1
    33%
    7/10 1
    33%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
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    2/10 0
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    1/10 0
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  • 5.0/5

    Short walk, beautiful and perfect place.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 3.5/5

    Well maintained loop track through best example of mature forest on SH1.

    Needs new interpretive signs. Keep right at first junction to approach central monument.

    Reviewed almost 10 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice short track.

    Reviewed almost 15 years ago and experienced in April 2009