Let DoC Wanganui show the sights

Ruapehu Bulletin, 21 December 1993, Page 4 (Supplement)

Let DoC Wanganui show the sights

Pepartment of Programme,

^ 1 - 30 '94

The Wanganui Summer Nature Programme aims to encourage people to see for themselves places which have a natural, scenic or historical interest. Bus transport is provided for all excursions and entry fees, guides, pre-arranged catering, boat fares etc where applicable are included in the cost unless otherwise stated. Most outings involve some walking and vary in the exertion required. Where applicable, a description of each walk is given in the programme item. Regardless of fitness, weather changes can affect the enjoyment of the day. A cloudy start does not mean the sun will not be a problem later on. A summer shower can quickly alter walking conditions in the bush. The key is 'be prepared'. Footwear should be practical, robust and comfortable. Leather boots, stout shoes, thick-soled trainers or basketball-type boots are suitable for most occasions. Bring a raincoat or parka and a warm garment such as a pullover. A towel can often be useful. Articles you don't need can be locked in the bus while you are away. Take a hat, sunblock and sunglasses and enough to eat and drink. An indication of return time is given for each trip.Return times are calculated as nearly as possible beforehand but can change. So while every effort is made to return at the stated time please be aware that the time is indicative only. The running of each trip is subject to sufficient numbers. Bookings should be made at the reception desk at the Department of Conservation Office, Ingestre Chambers on the comer of St Hill and Ingestre Streets Wanganui, open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm Saturday.

Historic River Road, Saturday 1 January. Accompanied by historian Norm Hubbard. Visit the Colonial House and the river boat 'Ongarue' at Pipiriki. Return via Raetihi and the Parapara Highway. Bring lunch. Depart 8.30am. Return 5 .30pm. Cost: adult $ 1 7, child $8.50, family $42.50. Rangiwahia Hut Sunday 2 January. An introduction to the Ruahines. A two-hour walk to the hut. Beautiful views and lovely bush make the uphill walk worthwhile. The track is well-defined. Bring lunch. Depart 7.30am. Return 6.30pm. Cost: A $18, C $9, F$45. Aramoana - Lunch on the Tops, Monday 3 January. A pleasant outing close to Wanganui. Bring lunch. A 7 km walk on open hill tops and some bush, good views. Depart Ilam. Return 4pm. Cost: A$5, C $2.50, F $12.50. Lismore crossover Tuesday4 January. A walkthrough Lismore Forest starting at Mangamanu finishing on the Parapara Highway, with former member of the Lismore staff. Climb out of the Whangaehu catchment and into the Whanganui, on metalled tracks. Bring lunch. Depart 9am. Return 4.30pm. Cost: A$13, C$6.50, F$31.50. Drop Scene walk,Thursday 6 January. The bus travels via the historic Whanganui River Road to Pipiriki for morning tea. The walk to this well known river scene follows an old roadline and then crosses farmland. Bring lunch and a mug for billy tea. Depart 8am. Return 6. 1 5pm. Cost: A $15, C$7.50, F $37.50. Whareti Peak to Coppermine Creek - Ruahine Forest Park, Saturday 8 January. Drive to the TV translator on Whariti Peak for glorious views. Then a bush walk of 3-4 hours down to Coppermine Creek to look at the old ' mine area. Boots required, steep in places. Not suitable for young children. Bring lunch. Depart 8am. Return 5.30pm. A $19, C $9.50, F $47.40. Kaimanawa Country Tuesday 1 1 January. Entry is restricted to this scenic area of tussock land and native forest remnants, the home of wild horses. Very little walking. Bring lunch. Depart 8am. Return 6.30pm. A $24, C$12, F $50. Koriniti - Parapara crossover. Wednesday 12 January. From the Whanganui River Road through farmland with some bush. Climb on farm tracks for great views of Ruapehu and district. Walk 6-7 hours. Bring lunch. Depart 8am. Return 5.30pm. A $16, C$8, F $40. Aramoana - Hipango Park - Kaiwhaiki. Saturday 15 January. A downhill walk from the Aramoana car park and boat across the Whanganui River to Hipango Park for lunch in the Puketarata Scenic Reserve. Return across the river and walk to the bus at Kaiwhaiki. Bring lunch. Depart 10am, return 5pm. A $14, C $7, F $35. Ahuahu - Another Way of Living, Tuesday 18 January. Travel by bus to Atene, cross the Whanganui River by jet boat and walk the track to the Ahuahu settlement. Our hosts talk of life in this isolated community. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea included. Crafts and local produce may be on sale for the local school. Be prepared for a scramble at the river bank getting in and out of the boat. Depart 8am. Retum 6pm. Cost: A$34, C $17, F $85. Mangaweka - Bush and Boulders, Saturday 22 Janu-

ary. Split into two groups when we get to Mangaweka. One group will take in the bush and rail tunnel walk while the other takes a 10-minute trip down the Rangitikei by jet boat to see the amazing round boulders which have 'grown' on a terrace above the river. Lunch beside the Rangitikei then swap over. Afternoon tea at Mangaweka Domain. Bring lunch. Dep 8.30am. Ret 6pm. A $22, C $1 1, F $55. Beach walk - Mowhanau to Castlecliff, Sunday 23 January. A popular walk with stops to look at cliffs, dunes and coastal life. A one- way walk, 3.5 hours with bus at each end. Dep 1pm. Ret 5.30pm. A$7, C$3.50, F$17.50. Matemateaonga Walkway, Friday 28 - Monday 31 January. A not too difficult tramp along the Matemateaonga track, then a river trip down to Pipiriki. Accompanied by experienced DoC staff, on day one you will be transported to the Kohi Saddle in East Taranaki and then walk to the Omaru hut. Day two to Pouri Hut - for the more energetic, a side trip to the summit of Mt Humphries offers breathtaking views of Mt Tongariro and Mt Taranaki. Day three ends at Puketotara Hut, high above the Whanganui River. On day four you descend to the river and board boats to Pipiriki. Transport returns you to Wanganui. There will be a briefing for participants on Wednesday 26 January at 7.30pm. Packs, boots, etc are available for hire. Cost $3 1 5 includes transport to Kohi Saddle, jet boat, transport to Wanganui, food and hut fees. Whitiau Scientific Reserve, Saturday 29 January. Although modified by human influences, this recently renamed area inland of South Beach still has many of the plant species which grow naturally around our coastline. Depart 1 pm. Retum. 5.30pm. Cost: A$5, C$2.50, F$ 12.50. Evening talks. These will be held at the Department of Conservation' s office on the comer of Ingestre and StHill Streets, Wanganui at 7.30pm. Whanganui Journey Monday 3 January. John Lythgoe gives an illustrated talk on the Whanganui National Park and the Whanganui River. Southern Hikes, Tuesday 4 January. John Barkia gives an illustrated talk on tramping the South Island's National Parks. A Land Apart. Wednesday 5 January. Arthur Bates who has just come back from a further trip to the Chatham Islands gives us his views and shows slides of this eastern outpost of New Zealand. Volcanic Wonderland, Monday 10 January. Rudy Tetteroo, Field Centre Manager, Stratford, gives an illustrated talk on Egmont National Park. A Crowded Land Wednesday 12 January. Brent Lovelock has recently visited China He gives an illustrated talk on the environmental impacts of 1.2 billion Chinese on their country. The Longest Night, Monday 17 January. Rex Hendry gives an illustrated talk on Antarctica in winter. Bird Words, Tuesday 25 January. David Merrie, visiting omithologist, gives an illustrated talk on Scottish birds and a conservation project with artificial nests for loons (grebe-like waterbirds that make floating nests).