Makarora Bush Traditional Cache

Makarora marks the transition from the dry central Otago region to the wet region of the main divide. Wanaka gets 680mm of rainfall, whilst Makarora gets 2,400mm! Makarora Bush nature walk is often overlooked by passing travellers, but is worth a visit.

This is beech forest where the trees are pretty much all the same age, as the forest is regenerating after clearfelling for the goldmines of Central Otago. What was once a scene of destruction and industry is now like a verdant cathedral of arching, moss-covered trees. We like to stay in the nearby holiday park and take the kids on this trail in the pitch dark to see the glow worms in the saw-pit. 

It's good to compare this forest with the podocarp forest at Roaring Billy Falls (another Geocache) on the other side of the Haast Pass.