| Lake Waikaremoana |
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| Friday, 03 November 2006 08:18 | ||||||
Page 1 of 3  The New Zealand Lake Waikaremoana Track, located within Te Urewera National Park, is a 46 kilometre, three to four day tramping track of moderate difficulty following the lakeshore for most of its length. Magnificent forested scenery and plenty of opportunity for swimming and fishing are features of the walk. It can be walked at any time of the year.The vegetation of the Waikaremoana area is like a great green cloak, mantling countless ridges and valleys. There are more than 650 types of native plant present in the park, some very rare such as Dactylanthus, green and red mistletoes and ngutukaka. The vegetation pattern is ever changing; volcanic activity, fire, storms, possums and deer have modified the forest in many areas. The forest is regenerating along the shore where the lake level was lowered for power generation. Many birds live in the forest. Among the more notable are tui, bellbird, fantail, tomtit, kaka, kakariki, North Island robin, New Zealand falcon, rifleman, and at night, morepork and North Island brown kiwi. Grey, mallard and paradise ducks are common on the lake edge, and New Zealand scaup, kingfishers and white faced herons are found in sheltered areas. Visitors may get a sight and hear the sound of the endangered blue duck (whio) at the Aniwaniwa stream. Both of New Zealand's rare native bat species, the long-tailed and short-tailed, are present in the park. Deer, pigs and possums are found throughout Te Urewera National Park. They compete with native wildlife for food. Possums also eat young birds and eggs. In addition rats, stoats and ferrets abound, and in areas where predator control is not taking place they decimate native bird, reptile and invertebrate species. Getting There Waikaremoana can be approached from two directions. State Highway 38 links Wairoa and the East Coast with the central North Island and passes the lake and the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre. The highway is unsealed for about 80 kilometres (2 hour drive as the road is very windy) between Murupara and the village of Tuai. There are well-marked side roads to the main boat ramps and Lake Track entrances. Big Bush Holiday Park (06) 837 3777 runs a variety of transport services around the lake, including a twice weekly service to/from Rotorua and an on demand service to/from Wairoa. Waikaremoana Guided Tours (06) 837 3729 offers a water taxi and shuttle bus service to either end of the track. This runs on demand in winter and to a timetable in summer.
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| Last Updated on Friday, 03 November 2006 08:37 |
