It took us ages to get to this part of North Island. There was always something stopping us from visiting this
region. Christmas with Fiona's family or holidays up north with friends were always good reasons. It was
not until Dec 2017, when we went together to Yusuf (Cat Steven's) concert held at The Bowl in New Plymouth,
that we became fully aware of the potential of the Naki.
So when the Tararua Tramping Club was organising a walking trip around Mount Taranaki we were the first ones to
join the group. At the same time, we decided to extend this adventure with a few extra days around New Plymouth
just to familiarise ourselves with the region. We took our time driving from home to Taranaki. We stopped for
the morning tea at the Woolshed Cafe and again at the Mud Ducks Cafe in Whanganui for lunch. From Whanganui, we
took the ocean scenic route. To actually see the ocean on this route we had to take multiple side roads leading
to different beaches. After 20 years of hearing about the famous Pungarehu surf beach, I finally saw the place.
It was calm as. Once in New Plymouth we easily located our rented accommodation, did some grocery shopping in
the local supermarket, had dinner and enjoyed the evening.
Walk 01
We had spent quite a long time the previous night trying to figure out if the 3 hours Coastal Walk was a one-way or return time for the trip. In the end, not being any wiser we decided to go all the way to the end of the walk and back. We started from Ngamotu Beach, situated at the bottom of Pioneer Rd, where we stayed while in New Plymouth and followed the Ocean View Parade to get to the beginning of the Coastal Walk (around the Lee Breakwater). We passed Todd Energy Aquatic Centre, The Wind Wand, the Surf Life Saving Club, and we walked along Fitzroy Beach. Once we reached the Waiwhakaiho Rivermouth we were welcomed by spectacular views of the Rewa Rewa Bridge. This unique structure was constructed in 2010 and it is perfectly positioned in front of Mount Taranaki. We were very lucky with the weather and our timing. With no one around the bridge, we were able to enjoy the views and take loads of photos. From the bridge, it took us another hour or maybe an hour and a half to walk to Tiromoana Crescent, Bell Block. After a lunch break, we started the return journey. And yes we discovered that the 3 hours was an estimate for the one-way trip, and maybe we were quite exhausted when we got back to our accommodation but was it worth it? Definitely yes. It is such a pleasant, flat walk with everything on the menu. We walked through parks, urban areas, beaches and rocky coast and we finished the day with fish and chips.
Walk 02
After the long Coastal Walk, the Opunake Walkway sounded like a perfect option for a more relaxing walk. We drove in the morning from New Plymouth to Opunake. We parked around Opunake Cottage Rest Home at the southern end of Opunake Beach and followed the well-marked track. The first stop of interest was Opunake Secret Cliff Top Garden, full of volunteers. The next stop was by Lion's Lookout from which we could view the Taranaki Bight. From there the track passes Middelton Bay and goes around Opakune Cemetery towards Te Namu Pa. Beyond the pa the track leads for some time behind dull industrial and urban areas. The better option is to go back to the starting point and walk around Opunake Lake and along the Waiaua River.
Walk 03
We said goodbye to New Plymouth and went on to further discoveries of the Taranaki region. The Three Sisters and The Elephant Rock were our next stops of interest. As we had some time to spare before the tide reached the lowest mark (the best time for getting close to the rock formations), we made a quick stop at Waitara Beach. Waitara Beach is a well-known Naki surf spot. The ocean was relatively calm but we managed to spot a couple of SUP-ers having a great time catching clean, long waves. From Waitara, it took us just under an hour to get to the Pilot Road car parking near Tongaporutu. From the car park, a short walk took us to the coast. We had no problem recognising the Elephant Rock. Although it lost its trunk to erosion a few years ago it still clearly resembles a huge elephant. It is a different story with the Three Sisters. An obvious choice were two distinguished, over 20 meters tall rocks looking very similar, but missing a third sister. And in the distance, at a certain angle, we could see another formation that looked like a group of three rocks. Later on, we discovered that only two of the Three Sisters still exist, so the first set was the real McCoy.
Walk 04
From the coast, we drove inland on Okau Road and did a short walk to Damper Falls. The walk starts in farmland and leads through the bush to a couple of viewing platforms that allow you to see the falls in their entirety. At the other end, the Okau Road joins the Forgotten Highway. We took the right turn towards Stratford, stopping for a drink at the famous Whangamomona Hotel. That night we stayed at the Stratford Motel and Holiday Park where we met with the other members of the Tararua Tramping Club group. The following morning we drove to Konini Lodge in Egmont National Park. The Lodge surprised us with great facilities that included electricity, a heat pump, fridges, stoves, cooking equipment, crockery and utensils, showers and a drying room.
Walk 05
Since we never walked in the Egmont National Park, we were very keen to see as much as possible in the next
two days. The hike to Pouakai Hut and Pouakai Tarns sounded like a very good option for the introductory
walk.
After breakfast, we drove to Mangorei Road carpark, at the start of Mangorei Track and started the 6
kilometers uphill. Most of the track is a boardwalk which makes the walks much easier. This track is famous
for panoramic views, but unfortunately, the rain and low clouds prevented us from enjoying those views. We
stopped at Pouakai Hut for lunch and a short rest, before continuing up to Pouakai Tarns. Again due to wet
weather, we had no chance to marvel at the well-known Pouakai Tarns reflections. Never mind, we have a solid
case to visit the place again in the future. Walking down the track was probably not faster than going down
as we had to pay attention to the wet boardwalk. After 5:30 hours we returned to the carpark tired but
happy.
Walk 06
Walking parts of the Around the Mountain Circuit and Dawson Falls Walking Track sounded like a good plan for the second day in Egmont National Park. The morning started with going up the Dawson Falls Track towards the Stradford Plateau Track. Both tracks are a part of the Around the Mountain Circuit and lead to Stratford Plateau Carparks situated on Pembroke Road. From the carpark we followed the Around the Mountain Circuit track through the lovely old bush, all way down to Waingongoro Hut. 5 minutes from the hut we crossed the Waingongoro Swingbridge which is 24 m above the Waingongoro Stream. Back on the track we went to see Dawson Falls. This 18m waterfall was named after Thomas Dawson, the first European to discover it in 1885. To Māori, the falls are known as Te Rere o Noke (the Falls of Noke), a Māori warrior who hid from his pursuers behind the falls. From there a short stroll on the Maiana Road took us back to the lodge.
