Off to the snow!
We'd had a winter blast from the south so the Tararua range east of our place had a good dusting. Mish shot a phone image as we began the drive north.
Dawson Falls is at the foot of Mt Taranaki, about 300km north of Raumati. We've stayed in the national park in a mountain hut years ago and this time we had a bit more comfort at the old fashioned Dawson Falls Lodge. Met some interesting people and even talked to them.
Here's the view from our room.
And at sunrise. Glorious. Taranaki is a dormant volcano, due to go off again sometime soon.
Dawson Falls is a pretty 18mt waterfall close to the lodge. Our first walk was to the bottom on a cold morning. No-one else around.
The road into the mountain, walking down from the lodge to Dawson Falls. Foot of that misty mountain in the background. We're about to dive into the thick native bush on the right and walk down to the foot of the waterfall.
Did the Wilkies Pools walk again. It's such a great walk, we've done it now several times: alone in cold misty rain, on a busy summer day, and now a bit of snow. So scenic: dense cool temperate forest of beech, tree fuschia, etc, plus lava rocks, creek crossings, waterfalls, swing bridge. Snow was soft ice, no more than six inches deep. Best 90 minute walk in NZ!
Wilkies Pools, forming at the bottom of smooth lava shutes.
And, whio! The native blue duck is rare and endangered. Reported this pair to the DoC ranger, who knew about them. The male has been here for about four years, so he's found a mate which is awesome as there's only about 1000 breeding pairs in the country. We've never seen whio before. They were really keen for us to depart the scene, so fluffy ducks are on the way.
Crossing a small waterfall. Practising using the poles for walking, they're quite useful.
Not sure where my pole has gone.
Tracks around the mountain. Taranaki is surrounded by native bush in Egmont National Park, farmland and sea.
Then we headed up to New Plymouth for a couple of nights so we could pose with the Len Lye wind wand. And walk the waterfront boardwalk and check out rhododendrons in Pukekura Park and do a bit of shopping and visit Misha's art gallery to drop off a couple of felted works.
Then scenic drive home through paddocks like green carpet, with lambs.
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