Main trunk leads to Great Outdoors

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 241, 3 May 1988, Page 41 (Supplement)

Main trunk leads to Great Outdoors

There was once a little ditty about Taumatanui on the Main Trunk line. It was written neither for the quickstep nor the foxtrot; rather for Main Trunk passengers catnapping on those stiffly laundered railway pillows - their slumber broken for the umpteenth time when the Express or Limited crawled to a halt at the Taumaranui station. But times have changed, and the town's promotions officer, Margie Snow, wants the whole of New Zealand to know about it. She wrote to the New Zealand Herald as a relative newcomer to the town. Her first taste of life in Taumarunui has whetted her appetite for more. "As you are possibly aware," she writes, "Taumarunui does not have the greatest of reputations. I personally cannot understand this, but think it must be a hangover form the days when people traveled by train and their memories of Taumaranui are of a cold, wet, foggy night and a short stop for a semiwarm meat pie and a lukewarm cup of tea. "Well, those days have

gone, although they leave behind them a wealth of colourful memories and tales. "As you are possibly aware," she writes, "Taumarunui does not have the greatest of reputations. I personally cannot understand this, but think it must be a hangover from the days when people traveled by train and their memories of Taumarunui are of a cold, wet, foggy night and a short stop for a semiwarm meat pie and a lukewarm cup of tea. "Well, those days have gone, although they leave behind them a wealth of colourful memories and tales. "Another misconception is that Taumarunui is the straight piece of road you pass through (probably at night on your way to the skifields), that has coloured lights, shops on one side and the railway line only half-hidden by gardens on the other." Not so. The county of Taumarunui is the second largest in New Zealand and encompasses the western shores of Lake Taupo, parts of the Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks and Pure-

ora Forest Park, and about nine scenic reserves. Pretty amazing eh? "Taumarunui township sits at the confluence of two rivers, the Ongarue and the Wanganui. The Wanganui, on its course from Taumarunui to the sea, draws back a veil on bygone chapters of the most fascinating Maori and European history. A peppering of Maori villages and famous battle sites tell the tales of centuries of thriving habitation and conflict with the European pioneers. "Early European history of the area is equally fascinating, tinged as it is with strong elements of nostalgia and tragedy: none so poignant as the famous 'Bridge to nowhere' an enigma standing in the midst of thriving second growth bush. On the hills behind are a few collapsing shells of houses, rusted iron tanks and remains of Upturned pails - mute reminders of the shattered dreams of brave pioneering families. "In the early 1900's the Wanganui River was one of THE tourist trips to do in the world. Literally thousands of visitors

came from all over the world to ride the scenic Wanganui by steamer and stay at Pipiriki House and the famed houseboat, which was built in Taumarunui, and moored at Reta ruke and Maraekowhai. "Today, by jetboat or canoe, you can rediscover these places, enjoy the scenic grandeur and generally just get away from it all. "If you wish to learn more of the history, you can visit some of the museums in the area which contain pioneering relics and, generally

someone who remembers those days, who can tell you all about it. "The hospitality of Taumarunui people is greatly renowned and now can be enjoyed by anybody booking a farm-stay holiday. You can jufet relax by the fire or join in farm activities - go for a horse ride or leap on a farm bike. "If you're in the mood, you can enjoy one of the beautiful bush walks in the area. They are numerous and contain some of New Zealand's best specimens of native trees, and take from an hour or

two to days on end. If you're here in winter, of course, the skifields - Whakapapa and Turoa - are just down the road. "By mixing and talking to the locals, you will discover that the Taumarunui district offers some great hunting, and some of New Zealand's best trophies have come from here. "The fishing is also excellent. Ask Peter Mclntrye (the renowned artist). Fish in solitude the Whakapa, upper Wanganui, Ongarue and other streams. John Thompson, Turn Page 43

Main trunk leads to Great Outdoors

From Page 41 our experienced and inexpensive local guide, can show you where to go. "The Tarrangower golf course is one of New Zealand's best-kept secrets. Situated 3km from the Taumarunui Post Office, it is a first-class 18hole course. It possesses several outstanding features which include its unsurpassed beauty, views of Mt Ruapehu and its self-draining terrain, which makes it one of the few all-weather courses which is never wet underfoot. (This area was showered during an eruption in AD130.) And you can

enjoy a game without having to wait a long time to tee off. (It s not just our hospital which doesn't have waiting lists.) "For the general sightseer there are many scenic drives around Taumarunui with views of rivers, lakes, mountains and the unique King Country hills. And for those interested in the great engineering achievements that have shaped New Zealand, there is the world-famous Raurimu spiral and the old and new viaducts that cross the deep gorges of the central plateau. "If you're still looking for

things to do, how about a look at a million-dollar gun collection, a trip to a snail farm or a round of the Ultimate Game?" Margie Snow concludes: "I know I've raved on. I don't know how much of this is new to you or whether or not you'll be able to use any of it, but I certainly feel better for having got it off my chest. Thank you for reading all of this (I trust that you did). "PS: I've only lived in Taumarunui for a relatively short time, and came from a city - so I cannot be accused of hometown bias."