Whirinaki FP, Saturday and Sunday 28-29 September 2024
Banner Photo: Whio seen in the Whirinaki stream
Three cars left Park Island at 7am for the Plateau Road car park in the Whirinaki Forest Park. Once we were off the Napier-Taupo road, we found the road along the Waipunga River and through the forestry a challenge as ever, with even more ruts and potholes than before. It took us 2 hours and 15 minutes to reach the car park from Napier.
Six in the group were doing the overnighter to Mangamate Hut, while the other five, including myself, had opted for the day tramp. We started off going all together to Upper Whirinaki Hut. Soon after departure, our track branched off from the main Whirinaki Track to climb up and over a ridge and descend to the Whirinaki River, which at this point is only a small stream.
Upper Whirinaki Hut sits in a sunny clearing
We carried on for another 15 minutes to reach Upper Whirinaki Hut, where we had morning tea/early lunch. The weather was so nice that many of us were tempted to spend the rest of the day here, but duty called. The overnighters left to follow the track along the Taumutu stream towards Mangamate Hut, while we enjoyed the sunshine before retracing our steps to the Whirinaki River.
The cave is well worth a look
From here we followed the track along the river, crossing the water many times, and each time it became a little bit deeper or wider. This track was done up earlier this year, and it is now a true gem in the forest park. It is not difficult to walk, although there are a few fallen trees to climb over, but these now all have steps cut into them. On the way we saw three whio, two of them close by – a real treat.
The track ends at the bridge near the cave. This is where we had lunch, or what was left of it. Two adventurous souls went to explore the cave in some more detail, and it was difficult to pull them back from their adventure and onto the track again.
The final stretch back to the car park via the Whirinaki Track is a bit of a slog, mainly uphill, but the many beautiful trees, including massive beeches, lush tree ferns, mountain cabbage trees and dracophillia made it worthwhile. We arrived back at the car park at about 3.15pm, ready for the rough ride home.
Track junction at Whirinaki stream
Two of us had never been to the Whirinaki Forest Park before. For two others, the Upper Whirinaki Track and hut were new, as was the river track. A very rewarding experience for everyone.
Many thanks to Juliet for the long drive out and back home again.
A few timings, breaks not included: Plateau Road car park to Upper Whirinaki Hut: 1h 30m; Upper Whirinaki Hut to cave: 1h 30m; cave to Plateau Road car park: 1h 30m.
Day trampers: Keith Gore, Paul Hendy, Juliet Gillick, Phil Shakespeare and reporter Elly Govers
Simon Hill reports on the weekenders’ trip:
Mangamate Hut
We six took the Taumutu stream to the turn-off to Mangamate Hut. New steel signs have been installed on several track junctions. We went up the muddy creek, under and over big logs, arriving at 4pm, and settled in for the night. It had been a warm day, and we didn’t need to light the fire.
At 8.30 next morning (and now on daylight saving time), we went back down the muddy stream to the turn-off. From there, it was downstream to the Whirinaki Track and the cave. Lots of bird song on the way.
We then followed the track uphill to the Plateau car park, arriving at 1.30. It was an hour’s drive on the dusty, potholed road to State Highway 5. A great weekend in Whirinaki with two fine, warm Spring days.
Overnight trampers: Fiona Bryant, Mark Jenkins, Doug Matheson, Bryan Powlesland, Shona Tupe and reporter Simon Hill
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