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 Wind Grass Lachnagrostis billardierei
Native. Not threatened.
Like Tātaraheke/Sand Coprosma, this is mainly considered a dry dune species, but in the Dune Garden is found widely in the ephemeral dune wetland areas too. Common throughout Aotearoa New Zealand it is also present in Australia.
It grows as a tufted grass up to around 50cm tall, mainly on sand but also occurs in other well draining habitats such as cobble and rocky beaches, occasionally found inland.
Flowers from August through to February and fruits from December to June with the spectacular purple heads of the summer. being larger and more common on the dry dune plants, but still distinguish this species nicely in the dune wetland locations.