A SCENIC REVELATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 88, 9 December 1912, Page 3

A SCENIC REVELATION.

THE REREPAHUPAHU FALLS

A MAGNIFICENT SCENE

(‘Taranaki Herald.’)

For many years, the existence of a large waterfall in the Tangarakau has been known to the Lands and Survey Department, whose officers, when working in the Ohura, have heard the roar of the water, but the fall was considered to bo inaccessible. Mr. H. M. Sheet reported to the department the existence of these falls in 1907, and whilst he did not actually explore them, he got sufficiently close to got a glimpse of the fall through the bush, and, we believe, that upon, Mr. Sheet’s recommendation the country round about was declared a scenic reserve. The falls were named the Rerepahupahu falls. Quite recently the falls were explored, arid, from information we have gathered, they are really remarkable and form a beautiful picture. A few days ago Mr. Larkin, assistant Government Surveyor, and party, were exploring for the purpose of getting a road down the Tangarakau Gorge, and when they came to the junction of Mangakahikatea and Waitaanga rivers they were attracted by the enormous roar of a waterfall. On making their way through the bush for about a mile they were rewarded with the magnificent sight of a fall of water some 30 feet wide and with a visible drop of about 280 feet. At the bottom of the fall there is a lake about 1-J acres in extent. The water is very deep and the wave on it resembles a miniature sea made rough by a huge water spout. Around the falls is a basin about 15 acres in extent with cliffs rising at certain points to a height of over 1000 feet. In the basin there is a capital site for an accommodation house, consisting of about 5 acres of level land, which goes from the foot of the falls to the edge of the slopes The Waitaanga at its junction with the Mangakahikatea is a cataract and widens out into a valley, through which a road can be made and the best of metal can be obtained all along. On each side of the river are cliffs about 600 feet high. The road is well worth construction as, the gorge, as well as the valley, is well worth seeing, and, leading as it would to these magnificent falls, would open one of the finest scenic drives to bo found in any part of New Zealand.

Apparently Mr. Larkin reached the falls from the Ohura side, but it is possible that access Will presently be obtained from this side up the OkauaMangaroa Road, which traverses the Waitaanga Valley. The falls are about' ten miles from Mangaroa, but much nearer the proposed railway route through the Tangarakau Gorge on the west or coast side.

The falls . are, situated just about midway between Taumarunui and Pukearuhe.