The Taihape-Napier Road is a 150 km+ remote drive that takes you from Fernhill, southwest of Napier, to State Highway 1, south of Waiouru. Blowhard Bush, about halfway between the two, is a superb place to take a break.
After crossing farmland, the road enters the Kaweka Forest (a large exotic pine forest) and climbs 700 metres to a pass in the Glenross Range. The access to Blowhard Bush is near the pass in an area called the Blowhard, then about a kilometre along Lawrence Road, a metal side road.
Blowhard Bush is another mature native forest remnant with some beautiful limestone rock sections and caves, big trees, and a real rainforest feel. There are several short walks from around 30 minutes and up to 2 hours or so if you link some together.
Unusually, it is maintained by the NZ Forest and Bird Society rather than the Department of Conservation. Chances are you have never heard of it unless you are a member or have driven this road and bothered to take time out to follow the sign.
