Napier Tramping Club

based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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A swim and camp at Mangamate Falls

December 21, 2009 by Julia Mackie Leave a Comment

Mangamate Falls, Saturday/Sunday, December 19-20 2009

Trampers: Paul Exeter, Ted Angove, Simon Hill and Julia Mackie

On a warm sunny day, Paul, Ted and Julia arrived at the Plateau car park in the Whirinaki Forest Park. Ted and Julia had decided to do the walk through to the River Road, Minginui road-end, and Paul would drive his car around and meet us coming out. The track was dry and clear of any tree falls left over from the few winters ago when we came in for a winter solstice trip to Central Whirinaki Hut (the Whirinaki six night out in the bush). We had morning tea in Central Whirinaki Hut, and then onwards. What a lovely bush walk along the Whirinaki river. The track is high above the river, and goes away from it for a short while before coming back.

Ted, at the new Vern's Camp shelter

We found the Vern’s Camp has a new shelter (see picture). This was once an old track cutters’ camp, and a good spot for an overnight camp on a circuit walk, we thought, as it was possible to put a sleeping mat on these benches. On to the Whirinaki Waterfall loop track is an option, and a good view of the falls from an opposite bank is possible in five minutes from the bridge over the river. However, getting a good photo is still difficult. The main track continues, crossing the Mangamate and then Morerangi Streams, before reaching the Te Whaiti-Nui-A-Toi Canyon.

You shortly reach the River Road-end, passing through giant podocarp trees. Paul was waiting for us. He had done a short walk to the waterfall, but his Achilles tendon was playing up, so he decided not to go further and returned to the car.

We drove to the Mangamate Waterfall campground and Simon soon arrived. After picking a camp site, we pitched the tent (for Julia) and fly between the two vehicles, away from the newly built shelter. A wash underneath the waterfall was a must on the hot day.

Mangamate Waterfall

On Sunday, the weather turned unkind, with rain. We explored the DoC recreation camp, which has cabins and a communal shelter for cooking – definitely a good option for another trip. We also walked the H Tree Track which is reached via Minginui Road, off Ruatahuna Road past Murupara on State Highway 38. Access is via Fort Road, off Old Te Whaiti Road. The main feature of this loop track is an unusually shaped rimu tree. The loop track runs through grand podocarp forest where birdlife includes rare species, North Island kaka, red and yellow crowned kakariki, robin and kereru.” It takes 45 minutes and well worth the time.

Simon decided to walk the Arohaki Lagoon track, and Paul, Ted and Julia headed for home. A good end to the year’s tramping.

Filed Under: Recent trips Tagged With: Mangamate Falls, Whirinaki Forest Park

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About us

We are a group of like-minded people who love the great outdoors. We tramp mostly in the Hawke’s Bay province, in remote areas such as the Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges; but we also travel longer distances to new places, for longer walks.

The Napier Tramping Club was established in 1974 and has about 70 members. We belong to the Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ Inc (FMC) and run Saturday, full-weekend and Wednesday tramps, every fortnight.

Interested in joining us?

Enjoy the great outdoors, keep fit and get to know others with similar interests.

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Useful links

  • Dept of Conservation
  • DoC Huts Use, Kaweka Forest Park
  • Federated Mountain Clubs of NZ (FMC)
  • Heretaunga Tramping Club
  • New Zealand Tramper
  • NZ Walking Access Commission
  • Wanganui Tramping Club

Useful links 2

  • Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society
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