Lake Waikaremoana Track Day 4

Day 4 was a fairly short 7 kms to the water taxi pick up. But we left early again as it was now a 10 am pick up. Again a bit undulating.

A nice view of the last hut as we went around the track.

Nice and easy track here.

Opening up a bit.

Again so many beautiful lakeside views.

This is where the water taxi picks us up. I went swimming for around 20 minutes before it arrived and wow was it a great way to end the tramp – very refreshing.

This is the view from the water taxi of the climb on Day 1.

Got back to the holiday park where I had a much needed ice cream and pie!

The original plan was to get the water taxi at 4 pm and stay overnight in Wairoa. But as I got out at 10.30 am I decided to just drive back to Wellington that day. I offered to pay for the night I had booked at Vista Motor Lodge (where I had left spare luggage) but the owner kindly refused and said they were just glad I had a great time. Definitely a good place to stay at in Wairoa.

I went into the tramp with similar views to many that the Great Walk was going to be inferior to others, and this was due to the Tuhoe taking over management of the Ureweras. But I was pleasantly surprised by how good the track was, and I actually really enjoyed hearing from the Tuhoe wardens and water taxi skipper about the area.

Like many I was aghast at the removal of private huts in the area (they explained they want to plan where huts are needed in the future, but my view is they should leave the current huts in place until they have such a plan), but this didn’t extend to the Great Walk, and despite tensions the partnership between DOC and Tuhoe in running it is working.

I would definitely recommend doing the track. I’d happily go back and do it again.

Next summer is Great Walk No 10 – the Routeburn!

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