Field trip to Mount Watkin/Hikaroroa

Mount Watkin/Hikaroroa is a 616 metre peak located north-west of Waikouaiti. It is a volcanic peak surrounded by a schist landscape with fine views of Karitane and Waikouaiti estuaries. The DCC's 650-hectare Mt Watkin / Hikaroroa Reserve is regarded one of the best remaining examples of dry coastal forest in Otago. This trip will also look at the magnificent basalt rock glaciers and the higher slopes of the peak. Finding Gingidia grisea was a highlight of a previous trip (reported as Gingidia montana in Newsletter #37). This is the southernmost distributional limit for this north Otago endemic plant. Foul weather back up date Sunday 4^th August. Meet at Botany Department car park 8:30 am. Return 5:00 pm.