TURANGI ACTIVITIES

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 465, 8 December 1992, Page 21 (Supplement)

TURANGI ACTIVITIES

^^^^oun^Urchii^^J Grade 3 ■ □ A climb through a range of vegetation types

from low-land to alpine brings us out onto open tops where we take in spectacular views and study the unique and beautiful alpine plants of the area. L^^^Fores^xgarience^ Grade 1 • Discover a forest you never knew. Using your senses and one or two simple props This activity is great fun and ideal for the whole family. Drive 5 km each way. ^on^iro^iver^^^J Grade 2 □ We will explore the lowest reaches of the Tongariro River and some of the diverse range of bird-life which frequent the river mouth. Walk one of the best examples of river deltas in New Zealand and look at associated wet-lands. River crossings may be needed although the water current is slow moving and shallow. Drive 5 km. Boyd Airstrip/Oamaru Grade 4 # ■ □

Fly by small plane into remote Boyd Airstrip on the Eastern boundary of the Kaimanawa Forest Park

and walk down through the Oamaru Valley to the head-waters of the Mohaka River. Return to Taupo Airport by 4WD

TURANGI ACTIVITIES From page 5 transport through Poronui Station. We meet at Taupo Air Charter Building at Taupo Airport at 8am. Bookings essential. Cost $50 per person. Note: Trip on 16.01 Return will be by plane from Mohaka River. Price $90 per person. Trips sponsored by Taupo Air Charter. Bookings essential. [^^^aw^WiiTHorsesJ Grade 1 » ■ □ A unique opportunity to journey into Army Defence Reserve and visit some very special lands'capes within the Moawhango Ecological Region. Catch a glimpse of the wild horses. We thank ATG for their cooperation. Bookings essential. Meeting point at the north entrance of the Waiouru Military Camp at 9 am. Look for signs.

^^ivingJForest^^ Grade 2 • A stroll through towering matai, rimu and red beech trees, discovering something of the ecology and structure of these trees, ferns and the animals that inhabit them. Drive 20 km each way. |_>>(iiii_Waimarino_Pa__ Grade 3 • An enjoyable scramble through untracked giant podocarp forest to an old fortified pa site where we look at the use made of the forest by early Maori. |_^ha£sjn_a^tream?__| Grade 1 • Here is a chance to see just what lives in a small mountain stream. Armed with sieves, nets, containers and lenses we will explore pools and rapids to find out more about stream dwelling creatures. Early Days on the Desert Road | Grade 2 • □

L^_^loun^Pih^i^a^_ Grade 4 ■ □ Climb up the forest covered slopes of Mt Pihanga to the open tops for an extensive view of the Taupo area, Tongariro National Park and the Kaimanawa Forest Park. [_i^an^ij2oJDeserti^ Grade 3 ■ □ The bleak landscape of Rangipo is stark and unique. From the Tukino Mountain Road the walk crosses over the lower slopes of Ruapehu to the Whangaehu River, notorious for its part in the 1953 Tangiwai disaster. Drive50kmeachwa)^ ^Wai£atih^ei^ike^ Grade 4 • ■ □ Fly by helicopter from Tum to paqe 15

Get into the outdoors!

I TAUPO I 1 ACTIVITIES I ^Lakej^xati^tia^ Grade 2 # ■ □ Explore this lake below Huka Falls by boat and 'Shanks Pony'. Enjoy a leisurely 2 hour stroll along the banks of the Waikato River to the Aratiatia Dam - a barbecue will be awaiting you. The historic MV Waireka will cruise you back to Huka Falls. Extra cost for boat of $7 Adults, $3 Children. ^^M^TauharaSunns^^ Grade 4 ■ □ Worth getting out of bed for! Experience the splendid sunrise from the top of Mr T auhara. From the summit enjoy panoramic views of the Taupo area while munching on breakfast. Listen to the dawn chorus and learn some of the history and geology of this fascinating mountain. Bring a torch. Mr Tauhara is a Maori reserve and DoC acknowledges the opportunity to visit the area. Drive 7 km. Taupo Native Plant >J4urser^^^^^ Grade 1 O An excellent opportunity to learn how to plant your piece of New Zealand in native plants. Watch and participate in native plant propagation and experience a variety of cultural and economic use for native plants. Meet at the Taupo Native Plant Nursery in Centennial Drive. Grade 2 • An historic reserve steeped in history and linked with early Taupo. Walk amongst a precious remnant of podocarp forest that missed the devastation of the last Taupo eruption. Enjoy also a new track which joins several historic sites and passes through different stages of forest regeneration. Drive 17 km. _^e^ringaTrack__ Grade 3 ■ □ We enter the northern part of the Kaimanawa Forest Park via Clements Road to Te Iringa car park. The track winds steadily up through heavy beech forest to a ridge battered by previous cyclones and on to Te Iringa Hut. At 1,140m above sea level the billy will be boiling. Enjoy the seclusion and views then return via the same route and learn something of the history of and work done in this recreational hunting area. Listen and look en-route for kakas and falcons.

Drive approximately 41 km. Things that go bump in Grade 2 * O Ever heard a Kiwi in the night? Mysterious rustlings and unusual sounds which develop as darkness falls over the bush - bit scary? No need to be if you would let us introduce you to the fascinating world of these creatures of the night. Bring a torch. Booking essential. Transport available at a small cost. Kaimanawa ^IliddenCaves^ Grade 4 • ■ □ Let us take you off the beaten track on a bush bash to part of the underground world of the Kaimanawas - huge caves hidden deep in the bush. A full day in heavy beech forest with opportunities to see kakas and other bird-life. Drive 55 km. Kawakawa Bay | Grade 3 ■ □ Head off from Kinlock through regenerating forest to part of the Western Bays of Lake Taupo, an area normally only accessible by boat. See and learn of the consequences of one of the largest of the Taupo eruptions. Bring your barbecue food for lunch and swim gear. Weather permitting we may return by boat to Kinlock. Drive approximately 21 km. __JHukaGlow-wonns__J j Grade 2 O Listen and experience the bush at night as we endeavour to unravel the mysteries of these 'lights of the night'. The Huka area also has a number of stories to tell based on the natural features. Bring a torch. Drive 4 km one way.

TURANGI ACTIVITIES From page 8 the Desert Road up the beautiful Waipakihi Valley in the Kaimanawa Forest Park and retrace ones progress on foot down the Waipakihi River. We will cross the river several times so take lots of warm clothes and swim gear. Meet at Waipakahi Road end. You will be advised of meeting times when you book. Cost is $50 per

person. Concession passes do not apply. The heli-hike is sponsored by Lakeland Helicopters, Taupo. Drive 40 km each way. ^^kugataCaw^^J Grade 2 # • □ Come with us on a trip into an underground world of limestone and glow-worms. For this subterranean exploration you will need to bring some old clothes, gumboots, sand-shoes, a torch and a raincoat. We don't guarantee Gollums

or Hobbits but there are plenty of glow-worms. Drive 40 km each way. ^JTonganr^^rossin^J Grade 4 • ■ □ From Mangatepopo Road end we follow the track to the head of the valley and across South Crater to active Red Crater, the highest point. We pass the Emerald and Blue Lakes and rest at Ketetahi Hot Springs before descending through tussock-lands and totara forest to Ketetahi carpark. Transport in-

cluded in ticket price $22 Adult, $11 Children. Approximately 7 hours walking. ^^Nga^uketurua^^ Grade 4 ■ □ A long walk rewarded by outstanding views across the alpine tops. We climb up through various beech forest zones and study aspects of the forest ecosystems on the way. Discover the mysterious vegetable caterpillar. Drive 20 km each way.

| Fire Patrol | Grade 2 * • Spend a few hours in a four-wheel drive vehicle assisting us check firebreaks, water-points and little used roads. Find out about rural fire fighting and take in some great views in remote locations. Tauranga Taupo Waterfall Grade 4 * ■ □ An exciting trip through untracked beech

and podocarp forest to the remote 30m Tauranga-Taupo Waterfall. Bring your swim gear. Drive 20 km each way. [^^Rua^ehuJceA^^ Grade 3 ■ □ See glacial features formed during the last Ice Age only 5 km from the Desert Road. Visit the Tukino valley scraped out by the Mangateoteonui Glacier before joining the Waihohonu Track.