Korokoro Falls – Lake Waikaremoana
This time last year we were about to set off on a journey to the Urewera National Park which lies between Rotorua and Gisborne on New Zealand’s North Island. There is about 100 km of winding unsealed road from the Rotorua end to reach Lake Waikaremoana deep in the park area. Urewera is the land of the Tuhoe people, a Maori tribal group known as “The People of the Mist”.
One of Lake Waikaremoana’s claims to fame is its round the lake walk, which usually takes about 4 days to complete. On a previous visit to walk around the lake we encountered four days of continuous rain. We were thus able to enjoy the wonderful native forest dripping with water and enveloped in the mist for which it is so famous. We didn’t however, get to see the glorious views from the highest levels on the walk along the ridgeline that leads to Panakiri Bluff. Last summer’s trip with a group of friends presented us with a wonderful spell of fine weather and thus the spectacular views were seen at last.
A side trip from the track around the lake leads to the Korokoro Falls. During our wet trip water was cascading over the lip as a result of the sustained period of rain that we experienced. This time we saw the falls without the cascade, but bathed in late afternoon sunlight.
Sony Alpha DSLR – A200, 1/25 sec, F 6.3, ISO 200, Sony DT 18-70 mm lens at 26 mm
Kiwi Summer
This image was also taken on New Year’s Day and typifies how many New Zealanders spend their summer holidays. Takapuna Beach on Auckland’s North Shore is approximately 1 km long, very accessable, safe and popular with local families and visitors alike. At the northern end there is a volcanic reef, camping ground and boat ramp. At the southern end there are sandstone cliffs. The view from the beach looks out on Rangitoto Island as well as other numerous small islands dotted around the Hauraki Gulf. All international and local shipping passes through the Rangitoto Channel.
Sont Alpha DSLR – A200, 1/320 sec, F 11, ISO 100, Sigma DC 18-200 mm lens at 18 mm
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