Waitomo Winter Solstice 2011

24 June, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, the first day on Garth's 2011 Winter Solstice Tour, dawned somewhat foggy.

This was at Haggas Lookout.

Photo : Athol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The road disappears somewhere off stage right behind Helen.

Photo : Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This sign reckons that, on a fine day, you might see the dramatic volcanic mountains of the Tongariro National
Park in the far distance.

Photo : Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These guys were looking for guidance from the sign in front of them,
but the mountains proved to be a little reclusive.

Photo : Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop was at the rather impressive Mangapohue Natural Bridge.

Photo : John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climbing to the top.

Photo : Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DoC's website says,
"Mangapohue Natural Bridge is a highlight on the scenic drive from Waitomo Village to Marokopa.

The 5 minute track to the left is pushchair-friendly and follows a boardwalk through an impressive limestone gorge that
brings you underneath a natural bridge.

The 17 m high limestone arch, which spans the Mangapohue Stream, is all that remains of an ancient cave system. From here the track becomes stepped and passes under the bridge giving a superb view of the ceiling studded with stalactite-like formations and an excellent view back down the gorge. The track continues for about 15 min over farmland.

Follow the marker posts around to the right and up the hill where you can see 25 million year old fossilised oysters exposed in the limestone outcrops. Follow the marker posts until you cross a stile back into the reserve heading back to the car park."

 

Photo : Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As there was no café Garth, with the assistance of several pack-horses carrying thermi, made sure there was
coffee for our re-fuelling before we left the Natural Bridge.

Photo : Ron

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop : the 35m high Marokopa Falls.

Photo : Athol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was back a couple of k and in to the depths of the Piripiri Cave.
The black hole seemed to go down a long, long way.

Photo : John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The way out.

Photo : John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner at Curly's Bar.  The Farmers Pie was a favourite.

Photo : Arnold

 

 

Photo : Arnold

 

 

 

 

 

Index Page Photo : Ron

 

 

 

 

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