Hinewai Reserve is a substantial 1,250-hectare native forest and eco-restoration project on the east side of the crater rim and at the south end of Summit Road. It is contained within a steep, wide gully that drops from the top of Stony Bay Peak at 806 metres to near sea level and is bounded by Brocheries Road (a short continuation of Summit Road) to the north and Long Bay Road to the south. Long Bay Road comes up the side of the crater rim from Akaroa.
The reserve is privately owned and managed by the Maurice White Native Forest Trust and began when 109 hectares were purchased by the Trust in 1987. The purchase of Ōtānerito Station followed in 1991 with several subsequent purchases. In 2016, the Trust took over the management of the 192 hectare Purple Peak Curry Reserve on the west side of Brocheries Road.
There are many freely accessible connected walking tracks through a mix of established and recovering native forest. The main track entrance is off Long Bay Road, but you can access the track network from the other boundary roads. Walks range from short, easy loops to full-day top-to-bottom slogs.
Walking into Hinewai from Long Bay Road exposes you to various native plants and the unique character of its manager, Hugh Wilson (pic below with one of the volunteers, Margaret). Hugh writes the often amusing signs you will see, the map and a regular newsletter. He’s at least as fun to meet in person and generally around.
A documentary, Fools and Dreamers, was made about Wilson and his reforestation project.
