THE ONEPU SPRINGS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 64, 18 December 1946, Page 5

THE ONEPU SPRINGS

LOCAL DISTRICT ASSET

INTENSE THERMAL ACTIVITY

On the Whakatane-Rotorua main highway, stands a signpost, familiar to many motorists, announcing the presence of the Onepu Springs; but although many have seen the notice, few have had the opportunity of actually visiting the locality, for it lies one and a half miles ‘across country’ and from the point on the road where the signpost stands, are almost inaccessible. Only the most intrepid reach their destination, in fact, for the journey involves swimming the Tarawera river.

There is another way by. which the springs can be reached, and that is via the Edgecumbe Lands and Survey Block, but even, by this route, a guide is absolutely necessary, particularly when the springs area itself is being inspected, for here, the earth’s Crust is very thin indeed.

Coaching Memories

A tortuous track leads to the 10-f cality where the springs are situated—a track which involves wading a knee-deep stream, and climbing up and over a small range of hills. En route an interesting spot with some historical significance • is passed—the old coaching house run by : Mr and Mrs Savage, in the days when coaches regularly plied the run between Rotorua and Whakatane. Two gaunt chimneys, several dozen wooden piles, and a quantity of ‘scrap’ are all that remain of the hostel now, but in bygone days it was an important junction. It was here that passengers spent the night before continuing their journey, and many old souvenirs such as rusted coach lamps- and other parts, are in evidence.

A circular area of ground a short distance away consists of the typical white scoria associated with thermal activity, > and in this spot, the tepid pool where weary travellers once bathed-and relaxed may be seen. It ,is a tepid pool no longer however. At the tim'e of the last Ruapehu eruption, the pool suddenly became almost a foot shallower, and for some inexplicable reason went cold. *