Walk #107, Waitangi Day February 2023
This is a lovely bush fringed lake in the Taranaki Hills east of Eltham. Its got a pest proof fence which means the bird life is prolific. We saw Saddlebacks and Robins on the track.
The lake was noisy as it was Waitangi Day and there were people out on boats and jetskis. Their use is seasonally limited so if you want a quiet walk go after May.
Walk: Taranaki 14
Links
Walk #106, 22nd January 2023
This walk is between Turangi and National Park on SH47.
This beautiful lake is on the slopes of Mount Pihanga – the smallest of the mountains. It’s really a hill. The lake is named after greenstone, Roto means lake and Pounamu means greenstone.
According to Maori legend the volcanos in the central North Island including Ruapehu, Tongariro, Ngarahoe and Taranaki all fought over Pihanga. Tonagariro blew his top over her and Taranaki left, moving south and west, gouging out the Whanganui River.
Lake Rotoaira, a much larger lake, is at the bottom of Pihanga.
On this walk we were lucky enough to see a NZ Robin, the Maori name is a Toutouwai.
We saw a Huhu beetle on a tree by the style as we were leaving.
Walk: Turangi 41
Links
Rotopounamu Pihanga Restoration
Lake Rotoaira and Lake Otamangakau
NZShortWalks 