My Favourite Walk: Vivian Falls main attraction in Harker Reserve
The little known Harker Reserve, near Onewhero in North Waikato, is a short drive from either Auckland or Hamilton. The main attraction of the reserve are the Vivian Falls that are located at the southern entrance to the reserve or at one end of the walk that passes through.
One Sunday morning we chose this walk hoping that our stroller would be up to the task and able to ride the track too.
Donated by the Harker family for public use in 1984, it is a forest protected under Queen Elizabeth II national trust.
We started at the northern entrance which was off Onewhero-Tuakau Bridge Road. We were happy to find that the track was well graded and maintained, making it suitable for strollering.
Right from the start, dense bush surrounds the track, interspersed with stark contrasts when it borders onto grassy farmland.
The first picnic stop was a little clearing beside a stream and we cursed ourselves for not bringing anything to enjoy its tranquil nature. Continuing through more bush there is the option of adding in the loop track. The initial onset of the looping track is narrow and tricky, best left for those not pushing a stroller.
Where the loop track joins back up with the main track we meet a horse rider. Evident throughout our walk had been hoof prints, as horse riders are common and welcome co-users of the track.
Just on from the meeting point there is the only true steep climb. It proved a bit challenging for the stroller but nice and bumpy and if you have a sturdy one, it should be up to the bumps and lumps.
Reaching the top of the climb we had fantastic views over the Waikato River basin, as it winds its way towards Port Waikato.
For a brief section the track actually joins onto Miller Road leaving behind the bush for open farmland. This slight deviation is short lived and we were promptly at the southern entrance to the reserve and probably what most will find the highlight of the track.
Anticipating a difficult walk down to the Vivian Falls, we were pleasantly surprised to find a short track down to where you could see the falls through the bushes.
There were well presented information boards in English and Maori telling the legend of the falls, which briefly tells the history of Tapaue and his lust for cannibalism, which resulted in Maoa seeking vengeance and the demise of Tapaue through the cunning of Maoa. The falls played a critical part in the preparation for war by Maoa and his men.
From the signs there was a very short but steep and tricky stony section, so we picked up the little one and abandoned the stroller to carefully walk down the rocky stairs amongst nikau palms to the best viewing point. The stacked limestone behind the falls with lovely greenery made for very picturesque photos.
Such a lovely and secluded spot shouldn’t be rushed and in all likelihood you will most likely have the place to yourself. After maxing out our time we had to press on homewards retracing our steps through the beautiful bush, full of birds.