Lake Waikaremoana

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LAKE WAIKAREMOANA An Irishman, an Englishman, a Scots- we were to walk around the southern man, and a Kiwi met on the seaward half of the lake to Onepoto. The side of the Railway Station on Friday, light of the trip being the view high- from 2nd June, 1967. Our transport was a the Panekiri Bluffs, some two thousand Volkswagen 1300, which proved just feet above the lake. big enough for three passengers and four packs. We lost no time in reaching Lake Tutira, spending the journey reminding Our trip leader, Mr Lindsay Cuth- our Kiwi friend that he was a guest of bertson, had corresponded with Bill three Pommes. Sanders, the Ranger of Urewera National We camped at Lake Tutira, where Park, and arranged for a launch to our sleep was rudely disturbed the take us from the Motor Camp at Lake morning sun. Although this lake is by close Waikaremoana to Te Puna Bay at the to the main road, it is western end of the lake, from whence and makes an excellent very camp picturesque site. We were sorry to leave so early. With safety and met two old-timers on a hunting belts fastened, we sped on to Lake and fishing trip. The offer of some good Waikaremoana Motor Camp, arriving at shooting was accepted by our Scot, but 11 a.m. Half an hour later we were on in the interests of the party we dragged the launch, which took an hour to take him away and up, up for a 24 hours' us the length of the lake. The owner slog to Puk Hut which we are convinced of the launch, Peter Ash, charged four is more than 2000 feet above the lake. pounds ten shillings for the service and The weather had now started to drizzle also drove our car to Onepoto, where and although the hut was occupied, we we picked it up on the Monday. elected to sleep on the floor despite our trip leaders offer of a rock bivvy only The hut at Te Puna was occupied by half an hour away. fishermen, who had caught several trout. After lunch and some sunbathing, we There was no change in the weather wandered round the lake to Mauruiti, the next morning and we hastily arriving 11 hours later and an hour descended in the mist along the terraces earlier than expected. Here we met two above the lake. Some two hours later shooters from the Wairarapa who we found the rock bivvy which was dry showed us a new game of cards. How- and only half an hour from the road. ever, luck was with the beginners. Those intending to travel to this park We left Mauruiti sometime the next would do well to contact the Ranger and morning. The native bush is most attrac- Peter Ash who runs the launch. The tive and there were those amongst us huts are generally not new, but provide who, wishing to enjoy it more, found ample reach accommodation of and are within easy each other. The an old blazed trail which led upwards. I am assured is good and the shooting, We persuaded our trip leader to take should be superb, as we saw fishing of this short cut. However, several hours trout. The tracks are in plenty and thousands of feet later we found large dition and generally easy to good follow. conourselves, compass in hand, at the foot However, the track we followed did of bluffs. Mr Green swore. Neverthe- too far inland in order to the go less, he forced his way to the top of creek, whereas a short swim would cross the bluffs with an energetic piece of saved much time. We saw one hut have five monkey climbing and the rest of the minutes away, but after negotiating the party joined him after much pack pass- various, creeks, we arrived half our ing. To surprise we found on top an hour later. The area is nearly suitable a well-disked track which we followed. for any which is very This track is not marked on the map, salubrious party Those in the looking for a and we were fortunate in that it led Bill McLennan, trip. Paul Green, party. were: us in the right direction and back to the Cuthbertson. Lindsay lakeside. We arrived later than expected at Waiopapa Hut where we had lunch * -Bill Cronin.