Oamaru-Tussock Loop – Kaimanawa Forest Park

Thursday 6th Feb Making the most of a 4-day weekend, we set off early from Wellington and enjoyed a scenic drive up to Helisika (Poronui Station) on Taharua Rd, off SH5. This location is in Hawke’s Bay, near Taupo. With the Desert Road closed for maintenance, we made detoured through Tongariro National Park and enjoyed the … Read more

Kaweka Kaleidoscope – exploring the remote Manson Country in the Kaweka Forest Park

A 3-day hike through the Manson Country in the Kaweka Forest Park

Kaweka Kaleidoscope – exploring Manson Country in the Kaweka Forest Park A 3-day hiking trip through the Kaweka Range including the remote Manson Country It nearly makes the squatters weep, It takes five acres to a sheep, And each year sees these smaller flocks, For sheep don’t thrive on snow and rocks. (An anonymous poet … Read more

Kaweka Kaimanawa Traverse

Are we on the right track? Our journey began with a traffic jam at Kaimanawa Road end. Being Labour Weekend, every man and his dog (literally – we were joined by a gorgeous kelpie) was out tramping. After a skillful 100 point turn, our shuttle driver deposited us at the beginning of the Umukarikari track. … Read more

Studholme Saddle Hut

Labour weekend was a good chance to venture further afield so four of us set off from Wellington for the Kawekas on the Friday evening. Kuripapango campsite, on the Napier-Taihape road, is a long-way from Wellington and with holiday weekend traffic and a pizza stop in Carterton we didn’t arrive until 11.45 pm.  Kuripapango campsite … Read more