CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND TRACK OVERVIEW
TOP PICKS
WAITOMO TOP SPOTS
> Continued from p.43
Setting off from the Grey Rd car park, the trail climbs pretty steadily through forest, including some impressive stands of tawa. Follow the track to Wharauroa Lookout, stop for photography, then press on for another 30min to Mahaukura. The track undulates as it goes and is often uneven under foot so take special care. From Mahaukura, the track descends a way before climbing towards the Pirongia summit viewing tower which is found 959m above sea level. This track can also be accessed off O’Shea Rd via the Wharauroa Track.
Glowworms at Waitomo Caves © www.hamiltonwaikato.com LEFT: Exploring Mt Pirongia Summit © Mark Hamilton
WAITOMO CAVES The caves you see today have been 30 million years in the making, formed by underground streams carving out silent routes through the limestone rock. The caves include deep caverns, luminescent glowworms and dark waterways, as well as amazing limestone formations. This fabulous subterranean world is both eerie and captivating. Don’t worry, it’s entirely safe and you won’t be alone. Tour guides deliver an informative commentary, sharing natural history and cultural legends. WAITOMO THRILLS Because Waitomo farmland hides such a big underground playground beneath its fertile, with giant chasms and explorable chambers, local company Waitomo
Adventures will eagerly lead anyone brave enough into this dimly lit lair. A choice of spinetingling trips range from abseils down 60m shafts to ziplining through narrow passageways with stalagmites tickling at your ear lobes. Daredevils can even tube down an underworld river on pitch-black water. THE LOST WORLD Dangle your way into a cool underground chamber via a 100m abseil, the highest commercial one of its kind in New Zealand. Led by an experienced guide in groups of four, once you’re in, squeeze, jump and slide your way further into the abyss. If ‘dropping in’ isn’t your jam, there’s staircase access to the Lost World grotto, removing the need to abseil.
One of New Zealand’s great cycling Trails is also one of our great walking Trails
EXPERIENCE NEW ZEALAND’S LONGEST RIVER, THE MIGHTY WAIKATO
An adventure of discovery along New Zealand’s longest river with something new around every corner
TAKE IN THE STUNNING SCENERY ON A RELAXED DAY TRIP OR OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE OUR FRIENDLY EXPERT TEAM HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED Ph 0800 874 978 | www.waikatorivertrails.com | 44
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