DOC completed a significant restoration programme on Rangitoto Island and its neighbor Tuamotu Island. The islands are now a safe pest-free haven for precious native flora and fauna to survive and thrive.
The popular summit track climbs through the world's largest pohutukawa forest. The peak is 259 metres above sea level, so you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. click here Rangitoto for more.
In 1993, Jane Campion’s Oscar Winning The Piano made Karekare an international star, with everyone talking about the beautiful black-sand beach.
Karekare beach is located on Auckland's west coast between Piha in the north and Whatipu in the south.
It is a 50 minute drive from downtown Auckland and a 20 minute drive from the Arataki Visitor Centre.
One of Auckland's most spectacular beaches and wilderness areas, and part of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, Karekare offers excellent surf, walking and picnicking.
Swimmers are advised to only swim between the flags.
Karekare waterfall, known by the Kawerau people as ‘Te Ahoaho' or ‘pendulous white thread', is nestled a short walk from the main beach arrival area.
Karekare has attracted some of New Zealand’s finest painters: Albrecht, Binney, Blomfield, Buchanan and Siddell.
Writers like Curnow and Stead have written about it, filmmakers like Jane Campion (The Piano), Barry Barclay and Niki Caro (Memory and Desire) have set major films there. The landscape is both magical and powerful, a magnet for photographers. click here Karekare for more
This short walk leads you under cooling shade of the forest canopy to the majestic Tāne Mahuta, New Zealand's largest living kauri tree.
Not far into the walk, a sweeping corner of the track suddenly brings you face to face with the ‘Lord of the Forest’. When you catch your first breath-taking view of this magnificent tree, you'll feel compelled to pause for a while. You can almost feel Tāne Mahuta’s strength and ancient presence, and its overwhelming size makes visitors look like dwarfs.
There is a wooden fence and a seat to view the tree. To get a broader view of Tāne Mahuta, you can move further along the track, which then leads to another viewing platform.
Getting there
The Tāne Mahuta Walk is signposted from SH12, which runs through the Waipoua Forest. The southern township of Dargaville is 65 km away and the northern township of Omapere is 18 km.
The road widens at the Tāne Mahuta car park to accommodate visitor vehicles. There is a picnic area, and toilets located 25 m back from the car park on the opposite side of the road from the track entrance.
Hi Lucy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for re-posting this information about Tane Mahuta, Karekare and Rangitoto. I would love to know where you found it. Could you please provide us with a link to the original site? That way we can visit the site and learn even more about these beautiful natural wonders.
Of the three places, which one would you most like to visit? Do you have a preference? Personally, I would most enjoy going to Karekare beach as I love to swim and go for walks along the beach. The sand at Karekare is dark black and really unusual looking.
I actually took my son, Aronui, to Karekare last summer for a swim. We had a great day but when we got home we accidentally dropped our beach bag and spilled black sand all over the floor! It took ages to clean it all up. Next time, I will be sure to leave the beach bag outside the house when we come back from Karekare.
Keep up the great work with your blogging :)
~Rachel