Lake Tutira Walk and Barbeque

A group of RWHB Hastings members visited Lake Tutira for a walk and Barbeque lunch. Tutira is a large country park between Napier and Wairoa, the Lake is a wildlife refuge that’s popular for camping and picnics. Memorable for its weeping willows and prolific birdlife.

The lake was declared a bird sanctuary in 1929 at the instigation of Scottish farmer/author/ornithologist William Herbert Guthrie-Smith, who once farmed neighbouring Tutira Station.

Birdlife at the lake includes scaup, grey ducks, black swans, little white-throated shags, black shags, white-face herons, pukeko, fantails, New Zealand wood pigeons, swallows, and kingfishers – just to name a few.

There is good swimming in the lake and excellent trout fishing where a stream flows into its northern reaches. For centuries Maori seasonally lived by Lake Tutira and you can see the remains of six pa sites.

The Tutira Walkway, which takes around five hours to complete, ascends to the Table Mountain trig station for stunning views over Hawke’s Bay. The Tutira Walkway is closed for lambing from 1 August until 30 September. Shelters, picnic, and toilet facilities are available at the lake.

The Hawkes Bay Regional Council state that the park has an important function as a land-use demonstration area. Many of the trees were planted by school students, community groups, organisations, and the Regional Council staff volunteers.

It is also a recreation space and a handy base to explore the Tūtira-Maungaharuru district’s many adventure and recreation opportunities. This park is not suitable for dogs.

This beautiful lake is only an hour north of Havelock North, and we were lucky to choose a day with great weather so all our members really enjoyed the Lake Tutira Walk and Barbeque.