THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
An easy 20 minute loop walk to a viewpoint, overlooking Golden Bay. The track is easy to follow as long as we stay on the actual track. There are a few undeveloped side tracks, which lead off between limestone blocks and they are fun to explore. Bear in mind that, although The Grove is fairly compact, people have been known to get lost (for short periods of time) in the labyrinth of limestone passages.
below to explore this walk.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
Unusually, for a bushwalk in Golden Bay, this walk plunges us into a lush grove of Nikau Palms. Hence the name of this scenic reserve, The Grove.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
Another outstanding natural feature of The Grove is the huge blocks of limestone, which have been sculpted by rainwater and cloaked in mosses and lichens.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
At this intersection, we turn right and head to the viewpoint.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
Now we descend into a narrow gap between two huge blocks of limestone.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
To our left in the gap is this passage, festooned with Rata tree roots.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
Stairs lead us up to the viewpoint. On our left is a massive Rata tree root.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
Looking out over Golden Bay.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National ParkLooking towards Takaka and Kahurangi National Park in the distance.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
Heading back down into the gap.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
As we come back to the intersection in the track, we see this unusual bent Nikau Palm.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
Now, we follow the track around to the right...
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
...where we see this massive Rata vine in the process of growing up a host tree, before it eventually surrounds the host tree and the host tree dies. It is hard to say whether the Rata helps or hinders the host tree. Some people say that the host tree lives longer with the Rata's support.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
Possibly the single most spectacular natural feature of The Grove is the giant Rata tree, growing atop a massive limestone block near the entrance to The Grove.
THE GROVE - Abel Tasman National Park
And here we are, back at the carpark.