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Te Waihou
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Saturday 25th
Another eagerly anticipated weekend away had arrived and a busload of us left Auckland bright and early heading for
the country town of Putararu in the Waikato. A very tasty visit to the Over-the-Moon Dairy boutique cheese factory was our first treat of the day with taste-tempting samples and learning a lot about artisan cheese-making from our very hospitable host, Sue Archer. www.overthemoondairy.co.nz
Te Waihou Walkway
The Te Waihou (the new water) Walkway and Blue Spring was the first of our walks of the weekend. When twenty four seasoned walkers descended from the bus in Leslie Road,Putararu, the initial impression of a barbed wire fence, a wooden gate and a dirt road leading into farm land wasn't encouraging. Little did we know on rounding the corner of a hill, a few hundred metres further on we would be stunned by the beauty of Te Waihou Stream.
This stream is totally spring fed, water from the Mamaku Plateau taking between 5-100 years to reach the Blue Spring. The clarity of the water is due to the purity of the water source, combine this with the movement of the water weed and it is a sight to behold. The water is so clear you can see trout swimming and the stream bottom.
We stopped for lunch near a circle of boulders, which have the "Dust if You Must" poem by Rose Milligan engraved on bronze plaques. These are a memorial to Linda Margaret Pearce. Mature redwoods provided shade from brilliant sunshine, while we ate and took in the stream view, and attempted to identify the ground bird (turkey) we could see on the opposite bank.
After lunch we headed off to do the loop walk, varying terrain, a few steep steps, a bridge and a board walk, but mostly easy walking beside the stream and past some new native plantings. The flow of water changed from tranquil to a rapid flow in the gorge area.
A happy group of walkers returned to the bus having seen something very special, and I am sure many will return if they get the chance.
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Kaka opening a peanut shell
This was a big day with visits to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, Pukeatua, and later to Jim Barnett Reserve, close to Lake Arapuni.
Southern Enclosure Maungatautari
We had a leisurely start to the day. The ranger who spoke to us at the Information Centre gave us a good rundown of the history of the mountain and the gradual development of the predator proof area. We had time to look at exhibits of various predators, consult the maps and have a comfort stop before entering the enclosure through the newly constructed gateway.
Once inside the secure enclosure we soon started hearing birdsong up in the trees. Outside the wind was howling, inside the enclosure was a haven of peace. Our aim was to reach the clearing in time to see the kakas being fed at 11am. A short, undulating walk brought us there in good time and we were amply rewarded. Soon after the ranger had topped up the feeder, several small birds zoomed in, among them a stitchbird which took fright and instantly departed when it saw the big human audience. The kakas decided we were no threat to them and came in from all directions and we counted seven of them. We watched their antics for a good half hour.
We also climbed the nearby viewing tower to look down at the world of trees from the canopy level. Carrying on along the Rata Track, we found that name labels beside many trees were helpful in reminding ourselves of their names. There was much to see, admire and discuss about the vegetation, so we took our time with the walks in the enclosure, stopping also to watch for and listen to the birds.
Lastly we took the Nikau Track, where we found the rather unusual Turepo (Streblus heterophyllum), or small-leaved milk tree) with its fiddle-shaped juvenile leaves. In rather boggy areas this tree comes into its own and grows to an elegant 12 metres in height. Returning to the Information Centre, we had a comfortable lunch stop by kind permission of the ranger who took pity on us on that day of howling winds.
Southern Enclosure Maungatautari
We had a leisurely start to the day. The ranger who spoke to us at the Information Centre gave us a good rundown of the history of the mountain and the gradual development of the predator proof area. We had time to look at exhibits of various predators, consult the maps and have a comfort stop before entering the enclosure through the newly constructed gateway.
Once inside the secure enclosure we soon started hearing birdsong up in the trees. Outside the wind was howling, inside the enclosure was a haven of peace. Our aim was to reach the clearing in time to see the kakas being fed at 11am. A short, undulating walk brought us there in good time and we were amply rewarded. Soon after the ranger had topped up the feeder, several small birds zoomed in, among them a stitchbird which took fright and instantly departed when it saw the big human audience. The kakas decided we were no threat to them and came in from all directions and we counted seven of them. We watched their antics for a good half hour.
We also climbed the nearby viewing tower to look down at the world of trees from the canopy level. Carrying on along the Rata Track, we found that name labels beside many trees were helpful in reminding ourselves of their names. There was much to see, admire and discuss about the vegetation, so we took our time with the walks in the enclosure, stopping also to watch for and listen to the birds.
Lastly we took the Nikau Track, where we found the rather unusual Turepo (Streblus heterophyllum), or small-leaved milk tree) with its fiddle-shaped juvenile leaves. In rather boggy areas this tree comes into its own and grows to an elegant 12 metres in height. Returning to the Information Centre, we had a comfortable lunch stop by kind permission of the ranger who took pity on us on that day of howling winds.
John at the secure gate entrance.
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Waiting in the enclosure for the kakas
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Janet inspecting the bird identification display
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Jim Barnett Reserve, Waotu South Rd.
Gorgeous Kakabeak (Clianthus puniceus) blooming in the Jim Barnett Reserve
We ended the day with a visit to the Jim Barnett Reserve, with Joe our driver ducking and diving along the narrow, winding country roads to drive us there. In this piece of forest which escaped the Taupo eruption, we found many of the trees had helpful name labels and in addition to the regenerating forest, there was a large number of newly-planted trees. An hour long walk took us through mature forest, over a small stream and back to the entrance on well-maintained tracks.
Rangiora (Brachyglottis repanda) in bloom.
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Looking down from the Arapuni suspension bridge to the treetops
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Flax flowering in Arapuni in January when we did the recce for this trip
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Monday 27th
Arapuni Suspension Bridge and the Waikato River Trail
Yet again the weather was kind to us and the weather forecast proved wrong. It did not rain!
Our plan was to walk part of the Waikato River Trail, a shared cycle/walking trail alongside the mighty Waikato. Only opened in 2011, we were keen to sample it. But first a visit to the category II Historic Places Trust Arapuni suspension bridge (1926) which is just downstream of the Arapuni dam. What an impressive structure - 152m long and 54m above the river with awesome views over the power station and gorge. The power station itself has a fascinating claim to fame in the way it was camoflagued from airborne attack during WWII - its roof was covered in vegetation, the walls painted in camoflague pattern and smokescreens were used.
Our plan was to walk part of the Waikato River Trail, a shared cycle/walking trail alongside the mighty Waikato. Only opened in 2011, we were keen to sample it. But first a visit to the category II Historic Places Trust Arapuni suspension bridge (1926) which is just downstream of the Arapuni dam. What an impressive structure - 152m long and 54m above the river with awesome views over the power station and gorge. The power station itself has a fascinating claim to fame in the way it was camoflagued from airborne attack during WWII - its roof was covered in vegetation, the walls painted in camoflague pattern and smokescreens were used.
Spot the power station!
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Ready for off on the Waikato River Trail
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Arapuni suspension bridge
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The 7km walk from Arapuni Village to the Little Waipa Domain was an easy stroll on a good path. We enjoyed a morning tea stop at a point along the route a little higher above the river with lovely views upstream. There were some wading birds about, especially in the area of the Huihuitaha Wetlands and boardwalk. This area is one of the few remaining wetlands in South Waikato and is a direct result of the raised water level due to the power project.
We arrived at the end of our walk by midday and it was time to head back home to Auckland. A breezy stop beside Lake Karapiro for lunch and our traditional Pokeno ice cream stop later on rounded off the weekend.
Thanks to Praemi, Molly and Sharleen, our organisers and leaders for this enjoyable weekend.