Auckland family 'pleasantly surprised' by Ohakune

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 30, 15 January 1985, Page 12

Auckland family 'pleasantly surprised' by Ohakune

The Cave family, from Forrest Hill, Auckland are an example of a family having a 'trendy' summer holiday this year. Rod and Janet Cave were loaned a chalet at A.H.I. Alpine Village and they and their children, Libby and Campbell — and their King Charles Spaniel intended to stay just a few days: A week later they are still here and plan to stay another week! The Caves have found that there is much more to do in and around Ohakune than they had expected. 1'm amazed at how much there is to do here," says Janet. One of their first activities here was the .'Three Falls' walk — one of the summer programme activities. It was a half-day walk with 32 people and the park ranger, Brian Norton. "It was a lovely day and really enjoyable," says Janet. "We caught a bus half way up the mountain road then walked from there. We had a super ranger who was very knowledgable about the area." Libby enjoyed the Children's Programme. "We went on a little walk up the mountain, then came back and played games. There were about ten of us, mostly between eight and twelve years old." Rod and Campbell's favourite activity so far has been their rafting trip with Ruapehu Outback Adventures. The 'boys' spent 2'/2 hours rafting the Tongariro River with five other

sightseers and a boatman. Coming down one rapid, the crew didn't carry out instructions quickly enough. The result was that the raft became wedged against a rock with the water pouring inside. Everyone carmmed together on the tiny rock in the middle of the rapid. Eventually the raft was hauled up and the water bailed out of it and they were on their way again. "After that we realised there was an element of danger and from then on, when we were given instructions, we knew we had to carry them out — fast." Rod noticed that for many of the people who run adventure tours, horseriding treks and suchlike, it is their second job, "so they don't have that hard professionalism that you'd get in the big towns." "But on the other hand," Janet adds, "the tours are very professionally done." The whole family enjoyed horse-trekking (Stokes). "It's a neat way of seeing the countryside — we went right up on ridges so we could see for miles," says Janet. "I liked crossing the streams," says Libby. Ron says he really enjoyed it too "when I had my eyes open!" All Campbell can say about it is "Dad, when can we go again?" The Caves enjoyed the bush walk around the centre of Ohakune. They also enjoyed picnicking by a stream near Raetihi. "We

asked the tarmer it nea mind us using it — it's the sort of place I'd dreamed about have a picnic beside," says Janet. "The children swam while we lay and read a book — and covered ourselves in dimp I might add!" "One thing we think the area lacks is a good place for the children to swim," says Janet. "We were also disappointed that there are not more fresh vegetables and fruit at this time of year, but we did like the strawberries." But all in all the Caves are very pleased they came here. Previously, the family stayed at their beach house at Coromandel Peninsula every summer. "You become very one-eyed going to the same beach year after year," says Rod. "We have sold our beach house and I don't think well bother buying another one, but instead we'll go on holidays like this." "I think it's been a really good experience for the children to see something different," Janet belieVes. "We've always been through Ohakune in the middle of the night, going to or from Auckland or Wellington like a bat out of hell and never thought it would be such an interesting place," says Rod. For the next week, they plan to visit the Tawerera Caves, Wanganui, Taupo, and to Karioi.