Seaward Bush

Seaward Bush Reserve is a good example of the native bush and is home to a variety of animals, both native and introduced.

Seaward Bush was once part of the much larger Seaward Forest, which was extensively milled for house-building timber in the late 19th Century. The reserve now covers an area of nearly 104 hectares.

The reserve still contains a good range of native trees and shrubs including kamahi, rimu, kahikatea and matai and is a good example of the native bush that would have covered much of the area.

The bush is home to a variety of animals, both native and introduced. The brown frog (tree frog/whistling frog), land snails, native slugs and possibly even the forest gecko are all part of the natural habitat within Seaward Bush.

Seaward Bush is a popular reserve for walking, running and summer picnics.

Location
Seaward Bush is situated to the east of Invercargill, about 5km from the city. Turn east off Rockdale Road on to Mason Road. The area is signposted off Mason Road.

Facilities
The regenerating bush of Seaward Bush offers a peaceful setting for sheltered picnics and easy bush walks. A wheelchair accessible toilet is located at the entrance to the reserve.

Walking track (2450m, 40 minutes return)
Two well-graded walking tracks form a figure eight. The shorter walk is a gentle walk of 15 minutes; the longer walk takes about 30 minutes.