Lake Waikaremoana Day 1

We left Wairoa at 10 am after a restorative cup of coffee. The day is sunny and warm, and is the sort of day that everything is possible.

The road, which started off as bitumen eventually changed to a narrow gravel road. This road had not changed in 45 years. We had a quick look at Tuai, which still has a power station, but now only has a few houses and an upmarket lodge. Once this was a bustling place, and filled with workers from the power station, and their families. The cinema, church, closed store and school still remain but there are no people! I found it quite unsettling and spooky so was pleased to drive out of the place.

When we arrived at the site of the Lake House (see picture above), there was the same circular drive way but no buildings! We walked around and I pointed out to Walter where the buildings used to stand. We then walked along the path to where the staff quarters were placed and the path was the same but no buildings. There was the same view of the camping ground too. What a weird experience! This area is now known as Waitiri Point.

We drove down the hill to the camping ground, which has been redeveloped and extended and looks much better. We are beside the old toilet block. The new chalets and cabins are very smart and the store is at the front rather than at the back of the camping ground. There is a very modern amenities block with a very large kitchen. Sadly the toilets could be a little cleaner (full of leaves and dust). The old path up to the Lake House is still there but I know how steep it is so am not attempting to climb up. The Lake House was on the top of the hill on the right in the picture below. The staff quarters overlooked the camping ground.

We walked along the old road, now a walking track, to the Information Centre which was closed as it is Saturday. Typical! The collection of buildings and large car parks which now make up the Park Headquarters are much improved from the old Department of Roads buildings that used to be the Park Headquarters. We had a look at some of the waterfalls (Aniwaniwa) that I particularly liked and they are still stunning. Tomorrow we are going back there, in order to go on a longer walk up to a small lake, Lake Waikareti, which will take us on a round trip of about 2/3 hours.

Lake Waikaremoana is very beautiful and not just a figment of my imagination, in that I have made the area sound better than it really is. I am certainly not disappointed and Walter is enjoying being here also. The people who run the camp gave us some books to read and it certainly brought back lots of memories for me and has also given us much historical information about the area.

I have also read all the information about what to do if there is an earthquake, landslide or volcanic eruption. At least we don’t have to worry about a Tsunami!