There's plenty to see and do at the estuary.
The estuary walkway provides beautiful views, and there are signs along the way providing information about some of the birds you might see.
There is a lot of interesting wildlife at the estuary. As well as birds, the estuary is also home to some interesting plants and is an important habitat for native fish.
The Manawatū Estuary Trust enjoys giving people the opportunity to learn more about this amazing environ
Sand Gunnera Gunnera arenaria
Endemic. At risk-declining
This tiny member of the rhubarb family is not only endemic, but it is possible that the few clumps of this species in the Dune Garden are the only examples in the wild on the lower North Island. It is however, reputed to be common in other areas of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a distant relative of the now prohibited Giant Gunnera which previously had been planted in gardens as a statement plant.
A coastal species mainly of damp sandy ground and dune slacks,
it forms a creeping patch with thick, dark green leaves with strongly toothed margins. Tiny flowers are borne on small, upright spikes that develop into pale yellow to bright orange fruits.