Short Summary
Friday 4th November
Pete, the guy who picked us up hitch hiking, dropped us at the bottom of the gravel Ruaroa Road where we thanked him and went on our way.
We made our way along, passing a small hamlet sorta thing called Takahue along the way. There was a camp below Takahue Saddle which we were planning to stay at, but lunch was eaten at the side of the road, the full resupply coming in handy in Kaitaia.
Beautiful scenery and the first good hill climb up to the campsite where we met Rob, having resupplied and walked up before us. We pitched our tents and enjoyed the afternoon and evening, chatting, reading and eating food when the time was right!
Saturday 5th November
We set off early. There was a tonne of condensation on all of our tents and so packing them up meant stuffing wet tents into our bags. Fun times. Extra weight. However, setting off in the sunrise was wonderful.
We made it up to Takahue Saddle and took the 4×4 track down towards Broadwood, having to do a deep river crossing along the way. Raetea forest was closed due to Kauri dieback, by the way. In Broadwood, not wanting to walk a 20km road, we stuck our thumbs out but after an hour with no success, we started walking anyway.
20km along a road isn’t always fun, but honestly the scenery was quite beautiful. We criss-crossed the road and waved at cyclists and cars as they went past and the sun was rather hot overhead, making us sweat rivers. After several hours, and having had lunch in front of a farm gate, we arrived in Mangamuka where we pitched our tents out to dry behind the radio station and stretched out the muscles. The Dairy was closed though, so no burgers or drinks, sad.
Coming down from Takahue Saddle
Distracted by a turkey
Sunday 6th November
Kevin’s foot was bad, a big blood blister on the arch of his foot, so he left us here and hitch-hiked his way to Kerikeri. That meant that Rob, Reid and I carried on up Omahuta Road and into Puketī Forest.
Today was a small day and we arrived into the DOC campsite for lunch without too much effort. There was a small open-sided shelter where we hung out whilst our tents were pitched out to dry. People started trickling in and before we knew there were 12 people in total camped out in this tiny space.
We met plenty of new people here. We nursed our sore feet and I read for the afternoon whilst Rob and Reid went hunting for a river to go for a dip in. It was a quiet day for sure, with Max and Lynn making the most noise.
Morning dew
Monday 7th November
A short day on Sunday, but a long day today. We got up and set off, coming across Daphné as we were leaving, which was nice. She had camped 4 kilometers back along the track.
The muddy trail led down into the Mangapukuhukuhu Stream where the map then told us to follow it along for about four kilometers. This was enormous fun, splish splashing our way down a river with a beautiful rainforest towering over us and groves of Kauri trees thrusting up here and there.
We then emerged out into Puketī Forest and started climbing up the ridge, walking through Kauri groves. When we did this, then the trail always turned from mud and dirt to a beautiful boardwalk with signs telling us not to step off, since they’re trying to preserve one of the oldest tree species in the world. That was such a beautiful hike though.
But before long, we emerged onto a track and bombed down into Puketī Recreation centre where I set up camp just as the rain was coming on. We had a nice dinner along with Niv and Daphné where we ate some biscuits and drank some tea. How civilised.
Posing for Daphné
Tuesday 8th November
Buckets of rain overnight, and it didn’t stop when we got going and so we were in full waterproofs for the entire day. Sideways rain greeted us as we set off down the road and our bags were heavy from being soaked through.
We followed some roads, going around some farms, before stepping off and heading cross country towards Kerikeri, now tantalisingly within sight. We got lost and redirected by a farmer before clattering down a valley, from the source of the river Kerikeri. This was an amazing valley filled with a fern forest and the rain kinda added to the atmosphere more than anything else. We descended down to end up walking along the Kerikeri river and into town. Along the way, we passed the thundering Rainbow falls which were swollen from all the rain in the last 18hrs.
We got into Kerikeri town and went and got some pies and Subway as the rain intensified. Soaked thoroughly through for sure. We made our way to the hostel where we were welcomed with a cup of tea and a chocolate bar – winning. The afternoon was spent drying everything, having hot showers, having a shave (!!) and buying some food for an evening TA potluck where I made a much acclaimed pasta bake. What a great evening!
Rainbow Falls Rob’s a goof
Pot luck
New People I have Met
- Mel and Aub: A couple of rangers from Norfolk Island who sleep in separate tents since Aub’s snoring is terrible
- Keith: Kiwi who gave me some Earl Grey tea and is wanting to watch the Black Ferns in the final this coming Saturday
- Peter: Older Kiwi guy from Auckland with a blue Osprey (woo)
- Max and Lynn: Dutch friends who watch 15 minutes of Lord of the Rings every evening. AKA, the Dutch Party Squad.
- Luke: 19, big army pack, cool hat and big blisters on his feet
- Marie: Japanese lady hiking in Vivos. My respect is through the roof for her
- Chris: Swiss guy, gave me chocolate
- Sarah: Plant scientist from Stewart Island who walks and sees only the weeds in the bush
- Melissa: At the hostel, feet destroyed by Ninety Mile Beach and used to work on super yachts.
- Tallulah: Was making a playlist of everyone’s favourite song. I contributed Still Young
Status
- Physical: 9/10, chapped lips and blister is still there, but going down
- Mental: 9/10, road walking to Mangamuka was sapping, but some shinrin-yuku in Puketī fixed it all. And a zero day in Kerikeri.
- Distance covered: 110km, Kaitaia to Kerikeri; 225km total
- Most memorable moment: River walking the Mangapukuhukuhu Stream and entering the Kauri forest in Puketī
- Toughest Moment: Road walking to Mangamuka
- Burnt-o-meter: 3/10 – but Niv thinks I’m more
- Song suggestion: The Passenger, Iggy Pop
What’s Next?
After a zero day in Kerikeri, I’ll be heading down the east coast towards Whanaki, and eventually Auckland in a couple weeks. I’ll be heading to Paihia and then onto Ōpua where we can then kayak across the Waikare Inlet where we’ll then continue along the east coast, pretty much hugging the coastline, towards Whanaki. Probably another 4/5 days? Maybe less. We’ll see!
Map
I don’t know how I’m gonna do this, but I guess I’ll make it on On the Go Maps and then link it, for you viewing pleasure? Let me know if this works. Two people have let me know they want a map, so this is for Flora and Niv! Haha
https://onthegomap.com/s/a792n6cl
Ishbel