Stretching Your Muscles in Tararua Forest Park

There are times that simply looking at nature’s wonders simply don’t do it anymore for you. Conquering the rugged terrain and dangerous trek is the only thing that can sate you appetite for adventure.

Tararua Forest Park in New Zealand offers you a variety of track ranges to go tramping with your friends, families, or anyone.

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LOCATION

Tararua Forest Park or Tararuas extend beyond the New Zealand State Highway and is the three-quarters of the Tararua Range. This Forest Park is the first of New Zealand founded in 1954.

Managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) under the Conservation Act, this part of the Wellington region is a protected area.

Tararuas has total square miles of 450 and rose above sea level with the highest peak called Mitre that reached up to 1571 meters.

CLIMATE

The temperature in Tararuas is cold but the coldest is in the month of July in which it drops to 8.4°C. However, the temperature still varies as the elevation increases.

Months from January to February are relatively less cold with 17. 4°C to 17.5 °C.

TRANSPORTATION

Tararuas is located at Wellington New Zealand. One can go straight to Wellington International Airport and then travel through the “Pahiatua Track.”

This track is the only all-weather road that connects Palmerston North and Pahiatua. This road is directly across the Tararua Ranges where the Tararua Forest Park is located.

ATTRACTIONS

Tramping Routes

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Tararua Forest Park offers number of tramping routes from beginners to experts and from sports to a simple family activity. Here is the list of track ranges:

Gentle Annie Loop Track is a three to four hour round trip popular in the park. It starts with the climb to Mountain House Shelter cradled by the silver beech. It continues upon the Rocky Lookout until the junction in Totara Creek track up to the upper Atiwhakatu valley where you will see popular huts in the park, which are the Powell and Jumbo.

Totara Creek track leads to Totara Flats Hut where Waiohine River and Totara Creek meets. Dipping in the swimming hole is another activity you don’t want to pass. Arranging a shuttle for return transport is an option if you prefer not walking anymore.

Beyond Mountain House Shelter is the Mount Holdsworth track approaching Powell Hut that gives a panoramic view of High Ridge and Totara Flats. This trip requires seven to nine hours.

Mount Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit is a two to three day loop that requires trekking through the beech-podocarp forest and alpine tops travel. The tracks are well-guided with marks and signposts.

Suspension bridge in the Waiohine Gorge sets a beautiful back drop in one of the areas in Taratuas. This amazing view was due to Waiohine River bisecting the landscape.

Watching Wildlife

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Taratuas has a rich wildlife; however, it was dramatically reduced to birds due to pests.

Still, you will find different species here such as fantails, tui, bellbird, riflemen, whitehead, kereru, kakariki, the North Island kaka, the kakariki and ruru. Short-tailed bats also reside here.

Camping Site

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Taratuas is also a popular camping site. Tourists tramping here usually stay in huts especially if the trip requires more than a day or two.

Powell hut is one of the famous huts in the park. Getting tickets for your huts before camping is a must to avoid inconveniences that are sure to spoil the trip.

Images:

(1) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/View_over_Horowhenua_from_Tararua_Forest_Park.jpg
(2) http://www.doc.govt.nz/global/images/places/wellington-kapiti/tararua-forest-park/tararua-southern-crossing/tararua-southern-crossing-1200-3.jpg
(3) http://www.wholesalebirdandcage.com/bird_info/kakariki/kakariki.html
(4) http://www.doc.govt.nz/pagefiles/218/kakariki-565.jpg

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