Bell Rock and Lake Opouahi, Wednesday 24 June 2026
Banner Photo: Bell Rock
Predicted rain in the afternoon influenced our decision to start with the Bell Rock tramp.
A view of Bell Rock we don’t usually show on the website
A climb through the bush soon ended with a break out onto open tops and then on to the famous rock. The scenery was stunning and the clouds created a moody atmosphere, offering good photo opportunities. The warning: “don’t go too close to the edge” was issued more than once, and no one fell off.
After a quick morning tea out of the wind, we headed via the alternative route back to the car. Along the way, our trio snacked on some tasty feijoas, growing in the wild.
The next move was a walk in the Bellbird Bush. Up again we went to Spooners lookout. No bellbirds were heard or seen, but kereru, tui and fantails made themselves known.
Selina and Keith on the jetty at Lake Opouahi
By now, it was just after midday. Where to have lunch? “Let’s head back to the car and go to Lake Opouahi, where we’ll have shelter and a table”.
After lunch and a nice walk around the lake, we drove to the Tutiira store for a traditional post-tramp ice cream. We arrived back at Park Island around 3.30, having taken a detour into Lake Tutira en route. The forecast rain was just beginning to spit and we were grateful for a great (and dry) day out tramping.
Trampers: Selina Chilton, Keith Gore and reporter Sue Trotter
To avoid confusion, the photo “A view of Bell Rock we don’t usually show on the website” was taken a hundred metres north of the rock on an alternative unmarked return route through a small valley. Very primeval!