Other stuff to do

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 667, 17 December 1996, Page 26 (Supplement)

Other stuff to do

Why not explore some of the other acti vities in the Tongariro National Park? Looking for a short walk? Why not try: Near Ohakune: Mangawhero Walk (1 1/2 hours round trip) The Mangawhero Forest Walk begins opposite the Ohakune Ranger Station at the bottom of the Ohakune Mountain Road. The walk crosses the Mangawhero River from which it gains it's name. Running over a bed of red tinged rocks, this river starts high up Mount Ruapehu and descends over two giant waterfalls, carving its way through the debris of previous eruptions. The track leads into a forest of kamahi, broadleaf and five finger, with giant rimu, matai and kahikatea trees reaching thirty metres or more above the forest floor and past several old volcanic craters. Near Turangi: Maunganamu (40 minutes, return via same track) The track begins at the bush edge, about 4 km from Turangi in the Maunganamu Scenic Reserve beside the Tokaanu Lake Rotopounamu (2 hours round trip) 11 km from Turangi on SH 47, carpark signposted on the south side of Te Ponanga Saddle. Rotopounamu {'greenstone lake') nestles on the side of Mt. Pihanga. This beautiful lake is a special favourite for tree lovers, birdwatchers, walkers and swinmers. Rotopounamu was formed by a landslide about 1 0,000 years ago, is nine metres deep and covers one square kilometre. There is no visTurn to Page 12

Other stuff to do

From Page 10 ible outflow and the lake possibly drains via an underground stream. Near Whakapapa: Taranaki Falls (2 hour round trip) The walk starts 100m below Whakapapa Visitor Centre at the end of NgauruhoePlace. The walk sidles across open tussock and alpine shrubland and through patches of beech forest with excellent views of Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu along the way. Taranaki Falls tumble 20 metres over a 1 5000 year old lava bluff before twisting through the water-worn gorges of the Wairere Stream. Ash deposits from the volcanoes and pumice from the T aupo eruption are seen in the banks along the track. Tawhai Falls (20 min. return) A short walk off State Highway 48, 3.5 km below Whakapapa Visitor Centre through montane vegetation to a spectacular waterfall which tumbles over the edge of an ancient lava flow. The adventurous kayak over the falls! Near Taupo Craters of the Moon (1 hour - loop track, Signposted in Wareek Tourist Park just north of

Taupo. This is a walk with a difference. The area owes its name to its lunar-like landscapes. It is an active dynamic thermal area formed when drilling began nearby at the Wareek Geothermal field. The walk crosses sizzling and bubbling craters, mud pools and steam vents. Please keep to the tracks as constant changes in thermal acti vity can make

the ground unstable and possibly dangerous. Spa Park-Huka Falls Walkway (2 hours return) The Walkway is reached from the Spa Thermal Park, off Spa Road in Taupo. Near the start of the walkway, a bridge crosses a natural hot stream. A well defined track winds along the river bank and offers lovely views on the way. The walk finishes at spectacular Huka Falls, on the Waikato River.