Explore the Walkway: There are lots of things for families to see and do at the Walkway. Like checking out the bird boxes, looking for freshwater crayfish in the gully stream, checking out the bug wall, smelling the herbs at the herb garden, building forts in the trees, finding out about the interesting medical benefits of native plants or just relaxing and enjoying the peacefulness of the country side.
See Monarch Butterflies: Each year thousands of swan plants are grown and planted out at the Walkway by local school children. The plants are covered with mesh to allow plants to get well established and uncovered for the butterflies to lay eggs in January. This means that between February and April swarms of caterpillars and clouds of Monarch Butterflies can be seen at the Walkway
Go fishing at the Lakes: The Lakes are ground-fed and so the water is pristine and clean. The Lakes are kept free of weed by the carp and eels that live in the lakes. This makes for a safe and fun place to take youngsters fishing. There is a nice spot by the Memorial and you can sit in the long grass by the lakes with your fishing line out. What could be better?
For fitness and Exercise: So, if you are fit the Walkway is about a 40 minute walk from town, or if you bike it is less than 10 minutes. If you come by car you will have to park at the end of Rifle Range Road and walk from there, but there are so many things to see and do you will enjoy your exercise and being out in the fresh air. You can bring your dog for a walk with you but to protect the wild life we ask that you keep your dog on a leash
Have Group Study Tours: Guided group tours or school nature study tours can be arranged. Information is given about environmental benefits of the riparian planting program, what Fonterra Farms are all about, noxious weed and rodent control, the wild life their habitat, the various on-going community group projects and how you could take a part in the Walkways development if your group is so inclined.
Go on a Picnic: There are picnic tables within the Gully Walkway and at the Lakes. On a sunny day it is just a magic place to be. If you are quiet the wild life will sneak out to say hello to you. The Kingfishers are by far the most colourful but the Swallows the most interesting to watch. The Wild Flowers and Hebe’s planted along side of the walkway are for the butterflies and bees to have their own picnic.
Go camping at the Lakes: There are nice camping spots by the lakes and the South Taranaki Scouts camp there several times each year. Unfortunately we do not have toilets set up there yet but Scouts being resourceful just dig a hole. They bring their canoes, make rafts and have a whale of a time on the Lakes. If you want to camp overnight you will need to get permission.
