Gone is the ‘rustic charm’ at Mangatainoka Hot Springs

Te Puia Lodge and Mangatainoka Hot Springs, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 14 April 2021.
Banner Photo: Enjoying the new tubs at Mangatainoka Hot Springs

Sixteen headed into Te Puia Lodge at the north end of the Kawekas. The last-minute unavailability of a van meant there had to be a bit of ringing around on Tuesday night to arrange transport by cars instead. Fortunately, the water level at the ford was down and the road was in good condition.

The weather forecast was for rain in the afternoon. We ended up getting several light showers but also a bit of sun as well, so not too bad at all. Arriving at the road end at 9.15, we headed up the track along the Mohaka River, arriving at Te Puia Lodge around 11.20 am.

Most of the party carried on up the track for another 40 minutes or so to have lunch at the hot pools. These have been upgraded with three separate tubs and lots of decking around them. Gone is the ‘rustic charm’ of the old ex-freezing works fibreglass bath at the base of the bank where the hot mineral water comes out.

After lunch and a bit of a dip by five of the party, we made our way back the same way. Some of us headed off the track at one point to climb up to the hole in the rock where a water course had eroded through the rock to create a tunnel around five metres in diameter. We were all back at the cars by 4 pm. It had been a very nice day in the hills.

On the way back into town coming over the hill up at Poraiti, we were treated to a grandstand view of a giant water spout that had formed offshore during freak weather conditions. From that vantage point, it look like it was right on top of Napier hill.

Special thanks to Alison, Jenny, Margaret and Simon for making their cars available at short notice.

Trampers: Margaret Palmer, Alison Greer, Jenny Burns, Sue Trotter, Marie Deroles, Keith James, Jane Thompson, Dorothy Sole, Ted Angove, Lynette Morgan, Sue Nugent, Barry Doak, Simon Hill, Julia Mackie, John Bennett and reporter Doug Matheson