Mt Lees Daffodil Dash

There are 2 distinctive trees growing within the bush, a large Kahikatea, thought to be more than 1000 years old and a 600 year Puketea which is listed as one of New Zealands Distinctive trees. In 1931 Ormond Wilson built the homestead at the head of a gully containing pockets of bush then much damaged by stock, overgrown by vines, as well as being infested with gorse. He saw the potential of developing the 'bush gully' and set about clearing the gully of the infestations, preserving native trees, encouraging regeneration and planting exotic specimen trees and shrubs. In 1930 the land was a bare paddock and the bush gully was grazed with stock. The homestead was built and the first shelter belts were planted in 1931. Fencing around the bush was completed in 1951 and during the next decade most of the clearings were planted with specimen trees. It took Ormond 40 years to develop the bush gully into what is now a place of beauty. In December 1972 he gifted the land to the crown as he doubted future landowners 'would have the will to preserve and continue the work he had begun'.

Large carpark (freedom camping in self contained vehicles is permitted) & toilet block

10 km

9 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Perfect throughout.

Long-sleeved thermal top, Beanie/thermal headwear, Cellphone

There is a tap on the white fence in front of the homestead

nil