There is nothing quite like rounding the corner and spotting the hut. Even a hit that's only a short wander from the road. This weekend we took a day trip out to the Apiti and beyond to take toddler to his first hut. We picked Alice Nash Memorial hut as I knew we would all would manage to walk there and back. Truly, it's a wander. The hardest part is getting there. It takes an hour or so from town. The walk itself is (at non toddler pace) half an hour. However, it's worth it. Our first amazing view was of all four mountains - Ruapehu, Ngaurahoe, Tongariro (well, we know he was there hiding behind Ngaurahoe), and Taranaki. After much admiring, we set off down into the valley. At toddler pace, the walk took us about an hour or dawdling, stopping to "schump" over rocks, pretending to fall off the side of the track into the bushes, pointing out manu, smelling bushes and taking the obligatory photo at the bridge. Further along the way (before the hut) there is a Kiwi Guardians medal post if that sort of thing will entice your children to follow you into the wild! The hut itself is a goodie. Non bookable so first in first bedded. We didn't stay over (that's a whole other adventure!) but ate our lunch out on the deck, checked out the intentions book, explored the site (longdrops are always an adventure). This particular hut isn't a DOC hut but built and maintained by the deerstalkers. Remember to leave but in better condition than you found it and always pay (for overnights). We chatted to some through trampers heading in to Iron Gate and some trig descenders who'd found the tops very misty.
If you need more, but not quite Iron Gates, there is always the descent to the Oroua River for some whio spotting. Today we didn't make the trek down. It's about half hour down plus explore time and then back up. Recommended if you are staying over or if you aren't travelling on toddler time. Our return walk was much quicker with toddler on my back. Much closer to the 30 minutes on the sign. On the way home there are some glomworms to see at the Limestone Creek Reserve (I don't think I've been before so we'll have to go on another adventure!) Alice Nash is a good little taster of a Ruahine hut. It's close to the road but far enough away to get the isolated nature feeling. Recommend!
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We needed somewhere for a lunch stop on the way up country. We had packed food and drinks but wanted something more than a road side tree. Mangaweka Scenic Reserve popped into the map. We took a left turn just before the township and two corners up the hill, we parked in a small gravel pit on the right hand side of the road. The entrance is in the left hand side of the road, just to the left of the signage. We wandered in and, as has become the norm, our two mountain goats, bounced off up the track. I wandered along at toddler pace as he lurched from one side of the track to the other, over rocks, trampling through grass and weeds. The track is a little overgrown with a few little slips here and there but not dangerous. After traipsing up some steps, we found the picnic spot. Simply a chair at the top of a hill with lovely views. We enjoyed hot drinks with our Jetboil (just because we can!) and a full array of picnicking foods! The spot is really sunny and warm. The loop track carries on up the hill a little and back down a raft of steps. It takes about an hour from start to finish. Today, though, we headed back the way we came. Fortunately we did as we got to see a really long train heading through with about 40 carriages! Toddler was pretty impressed (so were his parents - we’re train supporters!). Would recommend Mangaweka Scenic Reserve for a nice lunch stop on a journey from Palmy or even for a nature day out. It’s a good, basic, get into nature spot - no frills, no charge. There is birdlife, bug life and many of my favourite tree - the tall, useful beauty, kahikatea.
A little further down the road, at Hunterville, is Bruce Park, which has a Kiwi Guardians medal too. How lucky are we to have these beautiful spots right on the side of the road? Maybe combine the two for an epic nature adventure? We finally made it down to the Urban Eels.
We have been watching the project since last year and waiting for the eels to arrive for a few months. More on the project here and here. We saw a post recently mentioning the some eels had arrived and BBQ meats would be suitable to entice them out into the open. So yesterday, in the warm afternoon sun, we headed down the track to see if we could find them. We took some visiting friends down and had all fingers and toes crossed that they wouldn't leave disappointed. The track down to the eel platform is half shaded, half full sun. Sunhats and drink bottles recommended at this time of year! We were not disappointed! The meats were definitely required. Without them, I don't think we would have seen any. Our little one dropped a big hunk of meat in (rather than small bite sized bits) and it was quickly preyed upon and dragged back into the eel lair. The rest received small chunks. Once all meat was distributed and eaten, the eels all high tailed it back into their hiding spot. It was a lovely afternoon adventure. Remember There is a permanent rahui in place. Let the tuna live peacefully. Enjoy learning about these amazing creatures! How to get there Cross He Ara Kotahi Turn right. Follow the limestone track along the river (don't head left at the fork). follow the signs for Linton. The platform is about 1km down the track and there is some tuna fin sculptures and colourful bike rack to guide you. If you cross the bridge (you've gone too far)... look down and you'll see the platform in the stream on the left. Today we found a family of worms. Big mamas and teeny tiny baby worms.
We peered under a piece of old manky carpet that we found. We disturbed a family of worms. They all scattered. We moved them each carefully into a punnet of soil (Hold a bug in your hand!) being certain to collect up all the little tiny guys too. We put them into the garden (along with the carpet in case we missed anyone) and they burrowed down into the warm soil. I hope they like their new, expansive home! We were driving home from an adventure. Toddler asked for a swing. (I had mentioned going to a park "later". I guess he decided this was "later"...). We saw the sign post for Papaioea Park and had nothing specific going on so why not stop for a swing.
It's a good park here with a wide open field, a pavilion and a broad range of activities in the playground - including outdoor gym fun! The playground area is far from the busy roads so feels pretty easy to play at. Somewhere worth a visit and a slow wander is Te Marae o Hine - right in the centre of the city.
Te Marae o Hine was central, both in location and in spirit, to the development of our city. It remains central to our city as a place we gather and celebrate. Until the 60s this was where the trains came in and the area was lined with hotels and shopping. It was truly the heart of our city. Now it is still surrounded by good shopping and food options and the old department store now houses our wonderful city library. We spend time here each year remembering the sacrifice of war, welcoming the new year, attending fairs, concerts and celebrations of our city's wealth of beautiful cultures. Even without an event or memorial service, it is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. My children have spent many hours wandering through the quadrants of the square, always finding ways to entertain themselves. All I have to do is follow and provide them time and snacks. Today we grabbed a sushi lunch and sat under the clock tower to eat. Of course, it didn't take long for toddler to wander off towards the duck pond. He was content to watch the ducks today and not hop in the water. No doubt the request for a swim will come someday. Should I say yes??!! In true toddler fashion, we then zig zagged over the grass mounds, back past the clock tower, through the trees, where we collected sticks, and took an exploratory mission through the Ladies Rest. I love the Ladies Rest; it smells so good and is such a calming spot to take a rest. To me, it is the window into history and I always feel nostalgic (for the good bits only). Aside from the usual facilities, there is a great space for mums, which has changing and feeding facilities including highchairs, and a wee kids loo. There is also another parents room around the corner so dads doing child duties have facilities too. Back outside, my big girl found a shady spot to read and toddler wandered up and down the steps of the King Edward II fountain, climbed across the benches, followed the pathways, and fluffed the hedges and hydrangeas. While he wandered we did a little wild art project - some temporary tagging using our stick collection. Next we found the horse hitchings and the mini hills. Toddler wasn't keen to roll down but more than confident to carefully step down a really big hill... After some more zigzagging, wandering, running, and joyously shouting, and we ended up back at our car, ready to go home. Going slow and letting our wee one decide what's next makes for a relaxed and interesting adventure. It's also nice to let him have a say in when the adventure is over - he knows his limits and knows when his adventure mode is satisfied. Te Marae o Hine is full of history and has a surprising number of spaces to play. I can't recommend it enough if you're looking for a slow, non-specific adventure that can happen in the middle of the city bustle. Today we again planned to head down to the urban eels. But decided because of the wind and rain, it would be more fun, and less cold, to go bush. We headed to the Te Apiti Manawatu gorge. It was pretty rainy on the way there with a big downpour. We suited up - proper raincoats and a one piece rainsuit for Mr 1 - and everyone got a handful of jet planes to eat at their leisure. It truly helps minimise the complaints about the hill, the path, the air... and the inevitable "how much further?!"... To start, the rain was light but constant. Mr 1 enjoyed running between puddles. Everyone enjoyed walking under the road. The stream was running strong. A while back we visited and found a family exploring the streams and checking out some really big koura. The big girls scampered up the track to the fork. Honestly I never know what zone these two will be in - usually there is one or both who want to go home from the get go. But today, pleasantly, both eagerly participated. In fact, I and the little one hardly saw them. At the fork, we made the democratic decision to go left. Personally this is my favourite way up - quick but steep. Today it was unanimous, which is rare. We were swooped by a kererū who then watched us wandering from a branch a few metres above. We watched a tui crack open a seed pod not two metres in front of us. We also noticed piwakawka and tauhou dart through the trees and tui fluff themselves after a flight. Manu out in great numbers today. Mr 1 wandered up all the way to the rapids lookout. I offered the backpack at various points but he said "No way!". We explored the big tree around the corner and decided it would make an excellent sleeping spot. It was very dry inside despite the morning of rain. At the top we ate lunch. We brought the Jetboil for hot drinks which always feels like a little luxury when it's a rainy walk. Remember: there is a Kiwi Guardians medal password and a Passport to Play Palmy etching to collect up here. The rain started to become a bit heavier and we were in the clouds so we packed up and headed off down the loop.
Mr 1 wanted to run, which is always a little terrifying for me. But he had it all under control, navigating tree roots and slippy patches with ease. Maybe it's a skill ingrained in children from years past and we just need to step back and trust that they know their bodies and have (usually) got it under control? It was a little boggy and slippy in places but nothing too bad. My least favourite spot is the set of steep stairs. Fortunately by this time the babe was on my back so didn't have to help him navigate them. He napped while me and the eldest chatted about positive thinking and self belief. Deep but important. Before long we were back at the fork where Miss Tween informed us she had been waiting for-basically-ever before charging off again. Back at the carpark, which, by the way has moved slightly to the right and up the hill, the rain had eased so we could remove our jackets and jerseys before hopping into the car for the ride back to town. Today was a good adventure. It goes to show that the weather shouldn't be a factor in whether to venture out. |
AuthorI'm Kate. I have 3 children - 2 bios and a steppie, 1 under 5 and 2 tweenagers. I am determined to spend more time outside this year and share more of Palmy's wonderful places and free play activities. Categories
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