Ruapehu Action Guide

Ruapehu Bulletin, 10 September 1991, Page 12

Ruapehu Action Guide

Adrenalin pumping rafting If it's action you're after it's hard to beat the white-water excitement offered by rafting and the Ruapehu Region has a number of suitable rivers. The Tongariro River is an ideal place to leam to raft. It consists of mostly grade 2 and 3 rapids with the occasional grade 4 for

thrills and long slow stretches to cairn the heart after those adrenalin pumping moments. Among the rafting companies who offer trips are Ruapehu Outback Adventures who also offer short trips on the ManganuiaTeAo, within easy reach of Ohakune and Raetihi. The Rangitikei also offers rafting on what is regarded as one of the

most stimulating white water stretches in the country in the Upper Rangitikei Gorge. There are 60 rapids in 12 exhilarating kilometres of the gorge. Grade 5 rapids have names such as 'Fulcrum', 'Foaming' and 'Max's Drop'. One operator on the Rangitikei includes a stop at Dive Rock, for obvious reasons. Also offered on the Rangitikei are trips over grade 2 rapids for an introduction to rafting. For the back country fans a helicopter rafting, fishing and hunting trip to the headwaters of the Rangitikei, high in the Kaimanawas is available. Caving: dirty but exciting Something completely different and certainly an all-weather activity is caving. Not for the faint hearted, and you'll get dirty but it's really exciting. Abseiling: from the top Abseiling is another thrill to experience. The small settlement of Motuoapa on the southeastem shores of Lake Taupo offers what some believe to be the best

rocking climbing and abseiling terrain in the North Island. Abseiling is weather dependent, but always check as Turangi has very different weather patterns to the Volcanic Plateau. World famous fishing Turangi' s claim to fame is the superb trout fishing in the Tongariro River and on the southern end of Lake Taupo. There are plenty of guides in Turangi to show you the spots and boats are available but why not try nymphing in the mighty Tongariro, it might just be the beginning of a life-time love affair with fly fishing. While on the subject of trout the TrQut Hatchery just south of Turangi is free and well worth a visit, especially the underwater viewing chamber. Top river fishing It would be hard to imagine a more favourable set of characteristics for trout fishing than those enjoyed by the Waimarino, south and west of Tongariro National Park. The mountains are a source of many clear water rivers. The lower areas alternate between

native forest, exotic forest and open farmland. The country is rural in character and sparsely populated and has no large industries or other sources of pollution. Among well stocked trout rivers and lakes in the Waimarino area are Lake Otomangakau, Karioi lakes, Winstones' Dam, Raetihi Dam, Mangawhero River, Retaruke River, Wanganui River, Manganui a Te Ao River, Tokiahuru River, Whakapapa River, Toanui River and the Piopiotea River. A few of the smaller tributaries of these rivers and lakes also provide opportunities to those who wish to get away from the crowds. The experts say the biggest fish often are found in the smallest streams, though they also say you need to be "a bit sneaky" to hook and land them. Quaint Tokaanu Eight kilometres from Turangi is the quaint little settlement of Tokaanu, famous for its hot pools and thermal area. Just along the road from the hot pools you'll find the Tokaanu Gallery which offers

some beautiful turned wooden products and knitwear. Looking down If you'd like an overview of the whole area sightseeing flights over the Tongariro National Park and surrounds are available. These flights are ideal for photographers especially towards sunset. Flying from Ward's Airstrip near Raetihi are Wanganui Aero Works who offer "Over the Top" scenic helicopter and fixed wing flights.

Jetboating An exciting activity in Taumarunui has got to be the Pioneer Jet Boat Tours. These tours leave from the bridge just north of town and present a variety of combinations. They '11 drop you off to explore the bush or return to Taumarunui in a kayak or Canadian canoe. Their mini coach can also take you up to Kakahi to see the glow worms in the evenings.