This area of swamp and semi-swamp forest is a rare reminder of the sort of patchwork landscape that was once typical of the Wairarapa – grass, wetland, shrubland, and forest.
The 30-hectare reserve, assigned as protected by Charles Carter in 1896, is home to rare native plants and fish, including swamp maire, small leafed hoheria, brown mudfish and banded kokopu.
An easy 30-minute walk on a loop track takes you on boardwalks and trails through an area of swamp and semi-swamp forest on two old terraces of the Ruamahanga River.