Recent posts
02 Day hike
Lake Ōkataina Walking Tracks: Cascade Falls on Te Auheke Track
There are plenty of short walking tracks at Lake Ōkataina - I usually combine them if I want a longer day in the bush. I recommend downloading the NZTopo50 - North Island app as the tracks are loaded on there. Te Auheke Track is an easy 1.8km loop, …
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From The Archives
Hiking the Western Ōkataina Walkway
First published June 2021: No matter how quiet you try to be at 5.30am, everything just seems louder somehow. It was an early start because I was on my way to Rotorua to meet up with Senior DoC Ranger Mayer (has quite a nice ring to it doesn’t it?),…
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Day hike
Matatā Scenic Reserve track
I do love it when locals give me recommendations for hiking tracks - I first heard about the Matatā Scenic Reserve Track back in April 2021. Uncle Google wasn’t much help at the time and whoever had told me about it wasn’t exactly sure where the tra…
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Day hike
Hinehopu/Hongi Track at Rotoehu Scenic Reserve
At the entrance of the Hinehopu/Hongi Track on SH30 stands a 28m tall sacred mataī tree (black pine tree). People call it the ‘wishing tree', with some placing a leaf at the base before making a wish, while others beep their horns for safe trave…
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Multi Day
North-South Track (Part 4/4): Poupou Stream to Motutapere Hut
First published January 2022: The wind and rain had slowed down overnight - I didn’t even get wet on my usual toilet mission in the middle of the night. I have to remember to start packing my glasses on overnighters, as putting on my contact lenses …
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That curious optimist who’s always up for a day in the mountains over a round at the pub. Let's go hiking before our knees expire.
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