Peat Lakes of Ohaupo and over the Kaimai Ranges

 There was a free day at Ohaupo while our caravan was undergoing it's service, so we decided to check out the Ohaupo Peat Lakes.  We drove out to Lake Ngaroto, taking a picnic lunch with us.

Ngaroto is the largest of the many peat lakes found between Hamilton and Te Awamutu.  These lakes were formed about 19,000 years ago when sand and gravel carried in the Waikato and Waipa river blocked up small valleys.  Water loving plants thrived and thick layers of peat eventually built up within the lake and around the margins.

There is a walkway around the lake, including stretches of boardwalk together with dirt and grass pathways, about a 6km flat walk.  Self contained camping is allowed at the lake side, and there were several motor homes staying the day we arrived.  

Lake Ngaroto

Carved Maori Pou were erected in 2016 and marks the place where the  sacred carving Te Uenuku was lost during the Battle of Hingakaka.  The ancient carving represents the rainbow god Uenuku and is one of the greatest taonga (treasures) of the Tainui people.  It was re-discovered in 1906 buried close to the lake shore and now resides in the Te Awamutu Museum.

Pou marking the spot where the sacred carving was lost

By mid afternoon a phone call came to say our van was all done and ready to be collected.  Our day wasn't over as we had to drive over the Kaimai Ranges to stay overnight at Cvana Awings in Tauranga.  This was a 110km trip, and we finally arrived at about 5.30pm, tired and ready for an early night.  Our awning needed repairing, so we needed to be up bright and early the next morning for the work to begin.

Spending the night at Cvana Awnings

Boxing Day at the Beach

Boxing Day at the Beach is a Kiwi institution.  Kaye and Jan’s Christmas household full of rellies took off to Marahau Beach, and we followed them a little later after we had done a few things.  The day was hot and sunny, but the cool sea breeze cooled the temperatures down while we were sitting on the golden sand.  There was plenty of action happening off shore.  Several people were enjoying para--sailing, with the wind carrying them along at a great rate of knots. 

There they go

There were a few yachts sailing around, the sea kayakers were out in force, and we could see the Water Taxis tooing and froing as the carried people to various walks in the Able Tasman National Park.  And what’s better than paddling in the water on a hot sunny day?  Parents and toddlers were having fun, and adults were walking way out into the water, but the shallow beach combined with an outgoing tide made finding deeper water always just out of reach.  This is a very safe beach indeed.

Marahau Beach

With the cool breeze at the beach, we really didn’t feel that we were getting sunburnt.  Of course, we should have known better, and later in the evening many of us were sporting sunburnt legs, arms, and noses.  Kaye and Jan had spent many happy summers camping in this area when their children were younger.

At the end of the road is one end of the walkway through Able Tasman National Park, and is marked by a beautiful Maori  carving.  The name Marahau translates as “windy garden” and the whole area was an abundant food gathering area.  With cockle beds, plenty of fish available, and birds to catch in the forests, there was food galore.  The carved entranceway (Waharoa) tells the story of a group of families who journeyed to Marahau from the North Island in the 19th century.  The Waharoa is carved from totara, sourced from the West Coast, by Nelson carver Mark Davis.

 

The entranceway

On the way back to Richmond something stopped Robin in his tracks.  What is that thing, we wondered?   It was some sort of flying fox which started way up on the hill - maybe it is no longer operational, we presumed.

Flying Fox in the middle of nowhere

On Tuesday morning we were moving on.  The caravan tank was filled with fresh water, the steadies wound up, and the car hooked on.  We were presented with fresh new potatoes from the garden, and I was encouraged to take some of the abundant grapefruit from the tree – all very much appreciated.   It was time for thanks, and goodbyes, with promises to call in again on our return to the ferry.  We certainly enjoyed our five days spent here in this lovely rural property.  Next stop – Murchison.

Kaye and Robin