The vantage point of Knuckle Hill gives a view both north and south along the coast, as well as an overview of Lake Mangarakau and the Mangarakau Swamp. The latter has been protected and comes under the NZ Native Forest Restoration Trust. It has been described as a national treasure though the fact that it still exists is mainly because man was unable to tame the area!

Coal, trees and gold have all been sought from this area though farming has taken over as the main industry nowadays.