Turangi trips

Ruapehu Bulletin, 21 December 1993, Page 10 (Supplement)

Turangi trips

Mount Urchin Grade 3 •♦ Climb through a range of vegetation types from lowland to alpine brings you out onto open tops for spectacular views and unique, beautiful alpine plants. 22km drive. Forest Experience Grade 1 O. Discover a forest you never knew. Using your senses and some props. Great fun and ideal for the whole family. Drive 5 km. Tongariro River Mouth Grade 2 ♦(!). Explore the lowest reaches of the Tongariro River and some of its diverse bird life. 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 Valley Grade 4 ♦^#. Fly 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. A short helicopter ride back to the bus and drive out via Poronui Station to Taupo Airport. Cost $65pp. Kaimanawa Wild Horses Grade 1 ♦•^. A unique journey into Army Defence Reserve and visit some very special landscapes within the Moawhango Ecological Region. Catch a glimpse of the wild horses. Meet at the north entrance, Waiouru Military Camp at 9am. Look for signs. Waimarino Waterfall Grade 2 O. An enjoyable scramble through untracked giant podocarp forest to an impres-

sive waterfall. See the remains of an old fortified pa site. What's in a Stream? Grade 1 O. See what lives in a small mountain stream. Armed with sieves, nets, containers and lenses, explore pools and rapids to find out about stream creatures. 20km drive. Early Days on the Desert Road Grade 2 ♦(!>. Within a whistle-stop of the Desert Road, hidden in the forest lies a forgotten lifestyle. An old coaching stable, an accommodation house and remains of an old sheep farm. Rangipo Desert 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. Drive 50 km. Waipakihi Heli-hike Grade 4 ♦•^. Fly by helicopter from the Desert Road up the beautiful Waipakihi Valley in the Kaimanawa Forest Park and retrace one's progress on foot down the Waipahiki River, crossing the river several times so take lots of warm clothes and swim gear. Meet at Waipakahi Road end. Cost $50 per person. Okupata Caves Grade 2 ♦^O. Into an underground world of limestone and glow-worms. Bring old clothes, gumboots, sandshoes, a torch artd raincoat. No Gollums or Hobbits but plenty of glow-worms. Drive 40 km. Tongariro Crossing Grade 4 ♦*#. From Mangatepopo Road end to the head of the valley and across South Crater to active Red Crater, the highest point. Pass the Emerald and Blue Lakes and rest at Ketetahi Hot Springs before descending through tussock-lands and totara forest to Ketetahi carpark. Transport included in price $22 (Adult), $ 1 1 (Children). About 7 hours walking. Ngapuketurua Grade 4 ♦•. A long walk rewarded by outstanding views across the tops. Climb through beech forest zones and study aspects of the forest ecosystems. Discover the vegetable caterpillar. Drive 20 km. Fire Patrol Grade 2 40. Spend a few hours in a fourwheel drive vehicle assisting fire-break checks, waterpoints and little used roads. Learn about rural fire-fighting and take in some great views in remote locations. $5. Tauranga Taupo Waterfall Grade 4 ♦•❖. An exciting trip through untracked beech and podocarp forest to the 30m Tauranga - Taupo Waterfall. Bring swim gear. Drive 20 km. Ruapehu Ice Age Grade 3 ♦•. See glacial features