Adventure 234

#3
Kiwi Saddle Hut, Kaweka Mountain Range
#1
Abel Tasman National Park
"Thanks to modern tents and sleeping bags, more and
more of us are getting out there and discovering the thrill
of overnighting in places as special as these. I know there
will be even more exceptional and memorable locations
that others can name, but at the end of the day we just
need to get out there. And most adventures are even better
when they are shared."
#3 : Kiwi Saddle Hut, Kaweka Mountain Range
Dawn Chorus 6 | Setting 7 | Sunrise 7 Sunset 9 Accessibility 7
Where else can you view nightfall in a blaze of colours over the rugged
profile of Mount Ruapehu and at the same moment a full moon slides up
over the vast expanse of Hawkes Bay. Then next morning, witness the
first rays of dawn light sparkle on the Pacific Ocean.
Also placed in a beech forest, it’s a short walk from the tent sites to the
exposed ridge with wide vistas east and west. Plenty of hard work is
going into making this forest a haven for birds. Trapping is widespread
and the results are already obvious.
#4
Caroll Hut Arthur's Pass National Park
#5
Caves Campsite, Whatipu
#6
Bog Inn, Pureora Forest Park
#4 : Carroll Hut, Arthurs Pass National Park
Dawn Chorus 4 | Setting 9 | Sunrise 5
Sunset 8 | Accessibility 7
My enduring memory of the visit to this site was
the feeling of solitude. This is a bit hard to justify
because it is only 3 hours hiking from a sealed
road. At night you can see the glow of reflected
light from the township some 500 metres below.
Located on the West Coast side of Arthurs Pass,
in a wide and exposed hanging valley with a
precipitous drop to the Otira Gorge. Perhaps the
feeling of remoteness comes from thick but low
alpine shrubs that surround the camping area,
offering little cover if the weather turned foul.
Perhaps it is also the expansive views across
the valley to the jagged peaks which gives a
feeling of settling down high up in the mountains.
Whatever the reasons, overnighting here will be
a memorable experience for anyone who can
appreciate it.
Typical of the West Coast, the track begins in
lush and humid forest. The first two or so hours
are steep with plenty of exposed roots and
some treefall to negotiate, but well within the
capabilities of most trampers. And it’s only 3
hours.
#5 : Caves Campsite, Whatipu
Dawn Chorus 3 | Setting 8 | Sunrise 5 | Sunset 9 | Accessibility 8
The rugged west coast is full of unique and unforgettable places to explore. Even
though this site is some distance across a wide expanse of sand dunes from the
beach, the distant roar of those huge swells exploding onto the beaches helps make
this a special place. A rugged cliff to the east of the site is covered in huge cabbage
trees, nikau palms and flax bushes, adding to that wild-west-coast feeling.
There is no hint that a huge metropolis sits just a few miles to the east as the crow
flies. The trail itself is a relatively easy walk from the car park, past the famous
Whatipu Caves. Be aware that there is no water, so plan to lug in a few extra kilos.
#6 : Bog Inn, Pureora Forest Park
Dawn Chorus 3 | Setting 8 | Sunrise 4 | Sunset 3 | Accessibility 7
Ancient. That is the overriding feeling as you settle back for the night in the heavily
wooded site alongside Bog Inn. The history of the area is a mix of plunder, extreme
hard work and endurance, followed by conflict, sacrifice, financial hardship, and
heartache. Thankfully though the final chapter is one of considerable foresight
which we can get to enjoy and value.
When forestry activities were halted all those decades ago, with the obvious impact
on the local economy and those who survived off the industry, it left behind some of
the most ancient trees now standing in New Zealand. Be inspired by the massive
matai, rimu, totara and miro – mere seedlings in the 13th century. When it comes
to “forest bathing” Pureora can’t be beaten.
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