Manuoha - Urewera National Park

Feb 2009

We were dropped off on the roadside, north of the Mokau Falls where the absence of signs showed that vandalism is doing well in Te Urewera NP. A long-tailed cuckoo flew in to check us out as we set off and very soon the steep climb started. The track ascends at that gradient through red beech for about 90 min, then becomes less steep as the beech changes to silver beech in goblin forest mode. At last the leatherwood zone arrived and very soon the little cap of sub-alpine plants and Manuoha Hut, set just back in the goblin forest but only a couple of minutes from the trig. From there are superb panoramic views over all the park and way beyond.

Having done the uphill bit we set off next day on our way down to Waikareiti which was visible through the tangled trees from time to time, as eventually were the Kaipo Lagoons. There we stopped for lunch. Sandy Bay was barely an hour away so we had a swim, the shallows were hot and we had to go out 150 m to get water deep enough.

Day 3 promised to be just as hot so we set off early and were sitting a the shelter at the other end of the lake when the truck party appeared for a swim. By lunchtime we were back at the big lake, and there we stayed close to the ice creams while Dave and the others drove around to pick up the adventurers of the A team. .