Wilderness Scientific Reserve

The Wilderness Scientific Reserve (officially The Wilderness Area Scientific Reserve), is a protected 88 ha (220 acres) scientific reserve located in the Southland Region of New Zealand's South Island. It lies to the north of Mararoa River with portions of the reserve on both the north and south sides of State Highway 94. Established in 1964, the reserve was created to preserve a distinctive post‑glacial vegetation community dominated by the hardy native bog pine (Halocarpus bidwillii), which survives in thin, stony soils characteristic of glacial moraines and riverbeds. There is a short wheelchair-accessible path from the State Highway to a viewing platform over the bog pine forest. In addition to the area protected as a scientific reserve, there is an adjoining area of 42 ha (100 acres) to the west of the reserve that is designated as conservation stewardship land.

Landcare Research describes the bog pine heathland in the Wilderness Scientific Reserve as a critically endangered ecosystem.