River attracts more visitors

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 32, 31 January 1984, Page 4

River attracts more visitors

Not only has the summer walks programme in Tongariro National Park been a great success this year (as we reported recently) but another potential park in the area has also seen increased activity this summer. Former Wanganui River Reserves senior ranger, John Ombler — he left last week to take up a new appointment in Fiordland — reports that 1 1 1 canoeists were counted on the river near Pipiriki and upstream to Retaruke within the space of a few hours on a single day. And over another 3-day period 60 canoeists set out to paddle the river. These head counts which are conducted every two days, indicated a slightly above average number of people using the river — Which may soon become part of the Wanganui River Park — at this stage of the season. About half the canoeists were on commercial guided

trips whilst others were paddling their own canoes. But waterborne activities are not the only ones to show an increase this summer ... the Wanganui River Nature Walks have also proved popular, said John Ombler. About 200 people have joined the various walks provided in the Department of Lands and Survey summer programme, with the Atene Skyline half-dj^ walks proving the h^p popular. Mr Ombler said that he was very pleased with the success of this year's programme and gave an assurance that it would be repeated next year.