Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

A TOURIST RESORT

WAIROA DISTRICT GLORIES OF WAIKAREMOANA "THE STAR LAKE"

"The Sea of the Rippling Waters" perhaps 3escribes Lake Waikaremoana, that huge area of water lying inland from Wairoa, and over 2000 ft. above sea level, adjacent to the " historio Tuhoe land. This scenic attraction alone warrants Wairoa putting forth a claim as a tourist country, for of the many notabla beauty spots of New Zealand, Waikaromcana, whilst one of the least advertised; is one of the best. But not only is Wairoa the centre from which tourists may most easily gain access to this wonder spot of the Dominion, but from the town many'other beauty and health spots cap be reached, notably Morere Hot Springs, whose health-giving waters will, it. it claimed, one day rival J»eiv Zealand's best-known, resorts; To Reinga Falls, where the waters of tbo deep stream fall 60ft. over a precipice, in a cascade of beauty; Maramani Oaves, and other places of equal beauty and historic interest Lake Waikaremoana claims most attention. Wrom Wairoa a motor run for 31 miles alonjr the road leading up the Wairoa and WaikaWTaheke Rivers will bring the traveller to the outlet of the lake at Onepoto. and a further road leads along the shores of the lake, to Aniwaniwa. the north-east j extremity, where lies the route .of the; main road from Rotorua to Gisborno. Waikaremoana probably second onlv to Manapouri in place for New Zealand's most beautiful lake. It ia sometimes called "Star Lake," for it is sursounded by arms which run far into the hills, offering a series of most beautiful views. Everywhere the forest comes right down fco the water's edge, whilst on .the' east side cliffs rise almost perpendicularly to close oa 2000 ft. above its surface. The country surrounding the lake abounds with Maori legend of the most thrilling character, whilst historic interest is lent to the land as it is the scene of many tragic conflicts with the Maoris in the early 'sixties. _ Rising above the run of the basin which holds Waikaremoana, the whole glorious beauty of the lake seems spread out to the traveller. The scenio beauties of the lake, and the legends of Tuhoe Land, have been described by Mr. Klsdon Best, and printed for the Tourist Bureau. Describing the many beauty spots of the lake, Mr. Best saya that . the great Pane-kiri Bluff, which rises 1000 ft., is one of the most imposing sights of this picturesque region, its white surface and bush-crowned summit being a striking landmark from many different points. ■ The encroaching forest which meets the waters of the lake has assailed the bluff of Pane-kin, and strips of hardy shrubs cling desperately to its rugged face, fill the narrow ravines and crevices, clamber along ledges, and finally, in several places, gam the towering crest far above. Frequently the softer strata of the perpendicular cliff have been weathered out, leaving a projecting ledge traceable for a long distance. At Te Ara-whata is a steep ravine or .cleft in the cliff face, where it is possible to ascend to the crest of.Panekici. This difficult ascent was often niado in former times when the kamgas of Ngati-Ru'apani were numerous en the lake shores: hence the origin.of the name. By Dark Beech Forest.

ranean passages which are so numerous in the vicinity of the outlet. At many places, also, there are strong springs of water rising from below the bed or the lake, and often can be seen the rush of water issuing from the lake-bed ana ascending with many air bubbles to the surface. The outlet is a narrow passage some 12ft. in depth, cut by the waters through the wild rock, and is about 16ft. to 20ft. in Width When overflowing the lake waters rush through this passage with great force, a tumbling mass of waters. At low water the underground outlets carry the escaping water through the narrow rock-ridge. to various points some distance below the lake level, at which places it is seen issuing from tho hillside with tremendous force, and thence descends the steep range in a series of cascades and foaming torrents to form m the valley below the Waikatetaheke River. On account of the broken nature of the country, Waikaremoana is ot_ somewhat singular form, there, being so many inlets, bays, and points. . in© Xrau branch, known as/Wairaumoana, contains the . most beautiful scenery, for here are many little wooded islets, sandy beaches,, and small bavs, with forest-covered points extend-

Close to Ohiringi Bluff is a little covo, a good landing-place; and here was situated one of the old Native settlement jof years gone by. The old cultivations are grown up in scrub of many varieties; and at the base of Pane-kin, which from this point trends off from the lake shore, is the dark beech sorest, mixed with rimu and imro; Looki,lCr out upon the lake from this point tbo sceno is magnificent, for the wat-e.-s or' the lake, with a slight ripple thereou, are flashing in the .rays of the sun, the green and beautiful forest sweeps up from the very waters edge to the peaks of the great ranges; the mass of Nga-moko stands boldly forth, while far away Mami-aha, snow* capped and rugged, looks clear and distinct across the lower ranges.. Past Te Papa-o-te-whakahu, a rocU. named after an ancestor of iNgati-Kua-pani, who lived some ten generations back, is Tau-punipuni, where from the little inlet a noble view is obtained of. the massive ■frontlet of Pane-kin. ibe next little bay is Wai-tio, where a small stream runs into the lake, a stream famous for the number of pigeon-fre-quented trees which obtain near its source at the base of the cliff. Dar above is seen the dark entrance to a leave, where doubtless the .bones of many an old warrior lie. while far away westward across the Whare-ama Range there loom the great snowy mountains which stand above "Waiau and . iaraliaki. Then on across the rippling waters to "Wai-kopiro, another ancient settlement, with its wooded spurs and shrubs of many shades. At this.place a small rivulet trickles down a rockface into the lake, and these waters are said to possess somo strange properties (the wai kakara, scented waters), for at certain seasons the little maebe nsn come in myriads to drink these waters as they flow down the rock into the 'ake, at which times they are taken in great numbers by the Natives. This maehe, a small species of kokopu, is said to.be the only fish in the lake, together withr tbo ko'ura, or fresh-water crayhsb. Somo Natives say that eels are also to be found, but that they have been introduced in late times from the v\ai-kare-taheke River. Next comes lo Umu-titi, so named from the ovens (umu) used for cooking the mutton-bird (titi) which formerly abounded here. Then Paenga-rua Bay, a place floted-for being windy; if the wind down tins opening be strong no canoe can come out of Wairau-moana. Te Pinpin, is a famous spot among kaka (parrot) unarers, and Te Rawa, also a favourite resort of bird-catchers, the adjacent spurs of the Whare-ania Range being a famous whenua pua —that :is to say, a land rich in the peculiar berries, and so forth, which the kaka, koko Cor tin), and kcreru (pigeon) feed upon. At Te Rawa is a delightful little bay with a sandy beach.

Walkarcmoana—The Mountain Lake. This mountain lake lies at an elevation of 2,050ft'. above sea level, and the Huiarau Range rises some above the lake. Waikaremoana is fed by many streams, the largest of whicn arc tbo Waihoroihika, commonly called the Huiarau Stream by Europeans, tho Opuruahme, Mokau, Aniwaniwa, and Avaiopaoa. There is but one outlet, which is at Te Whangaromanga, also known as Te Wharawhara, close to Onepoto. The waters of this lake have mi eccentric liabit of rising and falling as if endowed with tidal power. ibis is clue to heavy rains or melting snows, which' cause the lako to rise and overflow through the narrow rock channel at To Wharawhara. Should the inflow' from tlio many streams bo merely normal, the lake waters sink unl.il Mir outlet channel is dry, and the only escape for tho waters is by the subter«

are clearly reflected in the calm~watefs, presenting a singular and lovely, sight. Going down the rugged coast-lino towards Mokau, it is most interesting to note the strange irregularity-in the strata of tho rocky cliffs, for faere they aro horizontal, and a hundred yards further aro vertical, a little further and they again have a heavy list. ; On past the houses of tho old-time people, and the bush-covered and. silent forts , of Pa Pouaru and Te Waiwai. The beautiful Bay of Mokan comes next, containing the Mokau Falls. A line sight are these falls, for they aro situated in a most rugged and picturesque gulch. From a ravine abaut 25ft. in width, tho mass of .waters fall about a hundred feet higb, not falling directly into the great pool below, but on to a hugo projection of the cliff, a semi-circular abutment—which has the effect of spreading the falling waters out into a great white expanse of foam. Tho steep forost-clad ranges, rising abruptly from the water's edge, the bush-clothed cliffs, and singular strata all combino to present a most striking effect. To the right is a cave, by which a person may pass, behind the great mass of falling waters; and on the loft is a smaller fall, almost concealed by the dense timber growth. A little lower down the shore-line isWfiakaari tho renowned—Whakaari of Mokoa, and many another bold warrior of the long' ago. ' This historic pa is situated on a little point in a small serai-circualr baylet, with bush hills rising behind—a truly beautiful spot ill summer days. Near by is the promontory of Mati'iahn, a striking land-mark, and where the sons of the soil closed in battle with the invading pakeha m the troublous days of tho sixties. A Tossing Stream of Cleaming Silver. A rough day on Waikaremoana makesa fine scone, for a strong wind swoops down through the mountain-passes and inlets of Waikare, lashing the waters into foam. The white-crested waves surge across the troubled lake, and. break in wrath on the rock-bound shore at Te Wha-ngaronjanga, on the great buttress of Ahititi. The spray flies over TeTaunga-a-tara and Nga Hoe-o-riupe,

ing out into the lake, the whole forming a moat delightful and charming scene. The surrounding forest contains many varieties of the most beautiful ferns, and on' the higher ranges are seen numerous rare plants and shrubs. Within two hours' walk of the Whanganui-o-parua Inlet is the Waikare-iti Lake, a beautiful aim littloknown sheet of wai-cr, which lies some 500 ft. higher than Waikaremoana...

An Historic Spot. ■Passing through the narrow 'strait between Waikare and Wairaumoana, which is known as Te Kauanga-o-Manaia, on the . left is Ngawhatu-a-Tama, a small mound on a point of land jutting out into the lake, and connected with the mainland.by a low, narrow neck. This mound was ono of the ancient pas of the Ngati-Ruapaiu tribe, by which they held this district. Hither the refugees from Whakaari fled wlfcn defeated by the sons of Tuhoe. Like all the old forts around the lake it is now covered with a dense forest growth. " It is said to have been named after Tama or Rongo-tama, auother chieftain of the ancient tribe. An historic spot this, as it guarded the entrance to Wairaumoana .in the old fighting days, when.the shores -or the now lonely sea of!Waikare were covered with many cultivations, and men worked with weapons in their belts, and the many fighting pas were thronged with the children of Ruapani and Hinekura, of To Uira-i-waho and Paruaaute. And well might Tama of .old watch the Pass of Manaia, for were not the ancient Nga-Potiki, the "Children of the Mist." who dwelt among the snows and cliffs of Maunga-pohtau, ever watching and waiting for an opportunity to attack the "People of the Rising Sun," who slew Hatiti, bor.i of the "Mountain Maid"?. ■ _ The lake abounds in little inlets which make ideal picnic spots From the head of Marau Inlet, situated inWai-rau-inoansi, almost opposite the Straits of Manaia, is an ancient trail to Waiau and Parahaki, and when the lake is up a boat can go up the little creek here for nearly a mile, where all along the brilliant'rimu lights up the sombre tawa forest, and the koromiko and toatoa, ncinei, and tupakihi trees all tend to relieve the eye.

Maori Legend. Again in the.main lake, where the Opu-Ruahine Stream enters.at the head of a little bay, is Wai-mon Pa, a picturesque spot, and the scene of many

an old-time fight; and the old. battleground of Te Ana-putaputa, where the descendants of Ruapani went down before the "Children of tho Mist." Here, also, a hundred feet from the -shore, are strong springs of water, ico com, gushing rapidly up from the lake bottom. As one looks over the side ot a boat he can seo the rush of the spring water from the lake-bed many fathoms beneath the keel of the boat. The view is shut out by a high point, but on rounding this is to be seen the broad stretch of glassy waters reaching to fur-away Onc-poto and Nga Hoe-o-kupe, On either aide, the over-haocine trees

and drifts across the divide, by the nar-i row outlet, for the "Sea of the Bipplvng. Waters" is awrath and ,pounds heavily on'the imprisoning cliffsas'if eager to be free. To the west, the dark clouds gloom over distant Huiarau, and drive down the rugged defiles which open out on Wkanganui and .Wairau. Then a struggle ensues between the storm and the westering sun for the mastery of ■\Yaikare, but the gallant sun-god triumphs, the. rain-laden mists sag downwards and possess the inner; arms of the' "Star Lake," -while the vapours above are white and) fleecy beneath the. conquering rays, and far away across the tossing waters a broad stream- of silver stretches even unto r\ga" Whatu-a-tama and Te Upoko-q-Kahu-ngunu. Viewing the expanse, of, angry, surging waters, and listening ■■ to the hoarse roar of the white surf, it is hard to believe that this is bug. an inland lake, and not an inlet of'the.-great, ocean, with the swell setting in from the far Pacific. Anon the sunlit, mist settles down over tho ranges'of Hhe west, obscuring the frontier of" Tuhoe land—the giant Huia-rau. The white scud flies athwfcj-t the darkening ranges above Whangariui,-. the , wind moans through the sturdy rock-nursed" beeches, and among'tho weird cliffs of 'Ngamoko and Pane-kiri, but the bright sun .flashes; upon the heaving waters of Haikare Another Delightful Spot. The wonders of the fugged cliffsaround Pane-kiri,and Awaawa-rba next call'for exploration. The road from One-poto around the lake to Amwaniwa is a delightful walk, and from it is obtained a fine view of the lake. And here on.eitker side are strange caves and holes, yawning chasms . of unknown depth, huge galleries running far into tho range, and overhanging masses of rock. Yonder 6tarids a huge splinter of a hundred tons or so, on the summit of which aigreat tree has perched; here is a rock, 20ft. in length, under which a rata has grown and lifted the great mass up bodily. Below lies the placid lake, and far away' the snowy mountains rise sharply against the sky-line.' The sun sinks down on distant Rmarau, and lights up the great Pane-kin Bluff, and a long streak, of golden light gutters across the calm waters. , The shadows ou eiter sido deepen into purple, and from far away across the gleaming lake comes 'the sound of a heathen song, as of Huu-ma-puhia or Tutaua,- "singing as it-goes. - ; Ihe canoe of the singers glides across the golden stream and is lost in tho gloom

of Pane-kiri, and then, with that glorious light gleaming ont golden mountains and glittering waters, and the voices of the night around, tho travellerc go down isto the darkening valley below. Lake Waikare-iti. , The tourist nest has to see Waika'ceiti Lake, which lies east of tho Auiwatliwa Stream, and is about 500 ft. higher than Waikarcmoaua. This beautiful lake is surrounded by low hills covered with dense forest, which extends to tho water's edge, the ■ branches trailing in the water in many places. There are Lnpoe of tho -/Jjeafc cliffs and raaaes of

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19150211.2.20

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2382, 11 February 1915, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,734

A TOURIST RESORT Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2382, 11 February 1915, Page 5

A TOURIST RESORT Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2382, 11 February 1915, Page 5

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert