26th February 2020
For the last few full days of our holiday in New Zealand, we booked in to stay with some family friends in Thames, New Zealand. Sitting to the edge of the infamous Pinnacles, I was buzzing to get some more good tramping in my legs before flying back to the UK.
Our amazing host, Karen, happens to be equally into walking and exploring, consequently she was really pleased to have the opportunity to show me some of her local bush trails, while we left the boys to their own devices. With the insight of a local, she took me on the Tararu Tramping Track – we didn’t see another soul for the next couple of hours! Perfect.
Getting to the start – Heading north, by car, into Tararu, we turned right off the SH25 (this road is worth a drive along in itself if you have the time!) on to Victoria Street. Say goodbye to the tarmac road for the next 20 minutes, as you cross a ford and continue up a gravel track, which follows a river upwards for the next 200m of ascent. There is a small area to park, just before you reach a private gated drive way.
The Department of Conservation suggests a couple of options on this trail:
To Dinosaur Rock: 20 minutes
To Crater Lookout: 1.5 hours
To Jam Tins: 2 hours
To Crosbies Hut: 3.5 hours
We only had enough time to go up to the Crater Lookout, which still meant a good climb up to the 600m lookout spot (from a start of circa 220m).
The track starts by cutting through a private meadow, whereby we came across and horse and dog; the latter deciding to join us for the rest of our walk from here.
After crossing some private fields and weaving along the well marked path, surrounded by manuka scrub on all sides, we started to ascend. Running parallel to the Tararu Stream and then crossing over it after a short while. There looks to be some awesome natural pools of water that looked very enticing for a quick dip, but as we were mostly sheltered by the thick forest there was no need to cool off; instead we we continued to head deeper in to the Coromandel Forest Park.
After two miles of walking, a mile of which is a steep ascent, the gradient flattens and the viewpoint is revealed and if you are lucky with the weather you are completely spoilt by overlooking the undulating Coromandel Forest.
On your way up or down you may spot some gold mining tunnels from the mining era. Take a peek inside!
Take a look at my short video:
Leave No Stone Unturned 