Walkers stumble on secret spots
Enjoying the views and the exploits of the tourists
The Wednesday Walkers began from the car park beside the old courthouse and followed the Waikato River north toward Spa Park. The signs for tourists have been renewed along this track; they now contain interesting maps and other information which, despite having travelled this way hundreds of times, was quite new to most of us.
It was one of those days when the river drifted along. Sometimes, it surges or slides, but last Wednesday the translucent liquid with its turquoise sheen drifted slowly downstream.
From the high cliff near the bungee jump platform, we looked down upon three swimmers way below.
They were barely swimming at all, drifting a little more slowly than the river’s flow.
Despite the depth of the water at this point, the riverbed was clearly visible below them.
We could just hear their excited calls to each other as they moved along. What a wonderful time they were having.
A truly magical experience. On entering Spa Park, one of the new signs showed a track that despite all our years of walking these paths, we had never followed before.
It started down near the pool where the hot stream enters the river.
Usually at this point, we turn toward Huka Falls but there is an alternative; a track that follows the river shore back upstream.
It goes through very dense bush and has a few fallen trees and other obstacles but it is well worth a trip.
It emerges finally right back up near the entrance to the park.
It is a terrific detour, who knew there was such a dense bush walk so close to town?
Wednesday Walker Contacts: ph 073773065; email wednesdaywalkers@myyahoo.com.
Monday Walkers
Still air and vibrant autumn colours set a mellow tenor for our Monday walk.
We drove alongside a millpondlike lake, admiring the bright yellows and reds of the deciduous leaves that somehow softened the views of uprooted and jumbled pine plantations scarred by cyclone Gabrielle.
The rocky faces of the mountains were unobstructed by clouds and had barely a sprinkle of snow atop.
We travelled onto Raurimu and, after a slight hiccup with navigation, we were soon bumping up to our walk start point, high in the hills with no other humans in sight.
There were plenty of gates to open and shut but amazing vistas across areas of native bush, farmland, hills, and mountains.
Solitary, elderly native trees dotted the paddocks and the remnants of where logs were loaded on tramlines and even pieces of steel and slabs of wood could be seen.
Our destination was the Kaikawaka Villa.
Those who had visited before stayed mum and watched the astonishment and smiles as we emerged from a patch of bush and the others saw the tiny hand-crafted slab hut bathed in sunlight.
In 1937, George and Charlie Bowley constructed the hut in two days out of four kaikawaka trees, some beech rafters and recycled iron originally imported from England.
The name ‘Villa’ was Charlie’s tongue-in-cheek reference to more exclusive homes of the time, but also referred to the great views from the dwelling.
The men used the villa as their base during the working week splitting kaikawaka which was used for weatherboards, roof shakes or shingles, battens, railway sleepers and even low-grade lead pencils.
The timber was durable, although not as durable as totara, but by then totara was becoming increasingly scarce.
Kaikawaka survived farm fires, an asset then.
At that time, cutting contractors would gain fence-splitting rights over approximately 200 acres in the Tongariro Forest, after which sawmillers would take the millable trees. The Bowleys’ block was too steep, so it was never cut over.
In the 1950s, the hut was occupied by Perry and Ma Smith. By the late 1970s, it had become hidden in the bush until, in 1996, some conservation work was undertaken. Today, the site is managed by DOC. The old cast iron coal range and a corrugated iron-lined fireplace remain.
Amongst historical information, we found a visitor’s book with a signed entry from the Monday Walkers dated 2007! We were so fortunate to have been given access to such an interesting site.
After leaving Raurimu, we walked the Ohinetonga Scenic Reserve Loop Track.
This kiwi sanctuary borders the Whakapapa River where whio dwell.
Both birds were elusive today, but orchids and fungi certainly weren’t.
A sweet aroma drew our attention to the white flowers of the native Earina autumnalis, also known as raupeka or Easter orchid, which was clinging to a tree trunk.
Deeper in the bush, a column of flabby hakeke or wood-ear fungi clung to a tree trunk, and snowy white turkey tail and artist’s pore brackets weere all seen on decaying wood.
Tiny orange buttons provided a splash of colour on mossy green logs.
We were lucky to spot what appeared to be pekepeke kiore or Hericium novae-zealandiae fungi, its white, pinkish sheen just catching the late afternoon light. Apparently, it is tasty when young. Large spider webs - some vertical and some horizontal - spanned the trees and sparkled in the filtered light.
The track continued along a boardwalk and over a lagoon where it was a little disorientating, but beautiful, to see the surrounding bush reflected on the water’s surface.
There is so much more unmentioned.
It was late when we left for home and by the time we reached Taupō, the sun was a fiery red ball falling behind a cloud and slowly into the lake.
Next week we will be crossing a rather long bridge and walking another track steeped in local history.
To join us or for more information please email walkersmondaytaupo@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook at “Taupo Monday Walkers.” left