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
Tauhinu/Cottonwood Ozothamnus leptophyllus
Endemic. Not threatened.
Principally a dry dune species on this coast, and in the Dune Garden sometimes appears in the ephemeral wetland area. There it builds dry islands by accumulating sand, but not as effectively as Pingao and Kōwhangatara. It is found from coastal areas generally up to subalpine regions and can attain a height of over 2m.
One of the pleasant defining characteristics of this endemic species is that when the white flower is fully active, the aroma from the flowers is quite reminiscent of Manuka honey. It is pleasant to be downwind of a large number of these.
It is reputed to be the larval food plant of the endemic moth Homoeosomo anaspoia.