Waikato River Trails
Encyclopedia
The Waikato River Trails is a combined walk- and cycleway along the Waikato River
. Originally conceived and started by local politicians and trustees, in 2009 the trails became one of the seven Quick Start Projects that form the beginning of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. The trail is proposed to be 100 km long, out of which 50 km existed before the NZCT scheme was created. In mid 2011, work on the last sections of the cycle trail project sections was begun, while the official grand opening occurred early November 2011.
. They pass through the districts of South Waikato
, Otorohanga
and Taupo
.
At present, seven trails exist. They are:
Arapuni Village to Arapuni Dam,
Arapuni Dam to Jones Landing,
Whakamaru Dam to Whakamaru Reserve,
Ongaroto Bluffs Trail,
Whakamaru Christian Camp to Snowsill,
Dunham Creek Mobility Trail and the
Atiamuri Trail
The Whakamaru Christian Camp to Snowsill trail is approximately 3 km long and takes around half an hour to walk.
In 2004, a 3 km trail from Arapuni Dam to Jones Landing was opened, marking the start of the construction project.
On 10 November 2009, Prime Minister John Key
officially launched the construction of the first New Zealand Cycle Trail project at the Little Waipa Reserve adjacent to the Waikato River. This site, on Horahora Road, has now gone down in history as the spot where turf was first turned on the first of seven of the Government’s Quick Start projects. The first contract was signed in April 2010, assigning $3.4 million from the cycle trail fund to construct the last 41 km of the 100 km distance. In addition, it is estimated that volunteer and in-kind work was donated to a total of $1.5 million.
The opening is scheduled in time for the 2010 World Rowing Championships
at Lake Karapiro
, near Cambridge
, New Zealand
from 29 October – 7 November. The trail is conservatively attract about 20,000 people per year, with much of the visitors coming from the Auckland and Waikato regions.
As of early 2010, 30 km of trails are already open for use, 23 km are built but yet to be opened, 6 km are under construction and a further 41 km are planned to be constructed during 2010.
As at 2 Sept 2011 - The section of the WRT between the Mangakino Lakefront Reserve, and the new swing bridge over the Mangakino Stream is nearing completion. From the swing bridge, the trail is completed through to the Whakamaru Reserve and onward to the Whakamaru Dam.
There is a shuttle available between the Whakamaru Dam and Mangakino, or the swing bridge and Mangakino using the 1907 Otunui Paddleboat.
The trust also planted 6,000 native trees as part of riparian restoration along the trail, as well as erecting 18km of fencing to protect the river from direct impacts of dairy farming.
meaning for various local Māori tribe
s including the large Tainui
, who regard it as a source of their mana
or pride.
There are several hydro lakes along this stretch of the Waikato River:
The Arapuni Suspension Bridge
, a popular tourist destination with a span of 152 m, is located just downstream from the Arapuni Power Station.
Waikato River
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. In the North Island, it runs for 425 kilometres from the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, joining the Tongariro River system and emptying into Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. It drains Taupo at the lake's northeastern edge, creates the...
. Originally conceived and started by local politicians and trustees, in 2009 the trails became one of the seven Quick Start Projects that form the beginning of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. The trail is proposed to be 100 km long, out of which 50 km existed before the NZCT scheme was created. In mid 2011, work on the last sections of the cycle trail project sections was begun, while the official grand opening occurred early November 2011.
Location
The trails are located in the Waikato Region along the Waikato RiverWaikato River
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. In the North Island, it runs for 425 kilometres from the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, joining the Tongariro River system and emptying into Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. It drains Taupo at the lake's northeastern edge, creates the...
. They pass through the districts of South Waikato
South Waikato District
The South Waikato District is a municipality in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located between the cities of Hamilton to the north, Rotorua to the east, Taupo to the south and Ruapehu District to the west....
, Otorohanga
Otorohanga
Otorohanga is a north King Country town at the southern end of the Waikato region in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 53 kilometres south of Hamilton and 18 kilometres north of Te Kuiti, on the Waipa River...
and Taupo
Taupo District
The Taupo District covers 6,350 km² of land, as well as a further 610 km² of lake area, both in Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, and also in the smaller Lake Rotoaira. The district stretches from the small town of Mangakino in the northwest to the Tongariro National Park in the...
.
At present, seven trails exist. They are:
Arapuni Village to Arapuni Dam,
Arapuni Dam to Jones Landing,
Whakamaru Dam to Whakamaru Reserve,
Ongaroto Bluffs Trail,
Whakamaru Christian Camp to Snowsill,
Dunham Creek Mobility Trail and the
Atiamuri Trail
The Whakamaru Christian Camp to Snowsill trail is approximately 3 km long and takes around half an hour to walk.
History
In September 2003, the South Waikato Economic Development Trust established a Waikato River Trail Management Group. The Waikato River Trails Trust managing the trail was incorporated on 3 February 2006.In 2004, a 3 km trail from Arapuni Dam to Jones Landing was opened, marking the start of the construction project.
On 10 November 2009, Prime Minister John Key
John Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
officially launched the construction of the first New Zealand Cycle Trail project at the Little Waipa Reserve adjacent to the Waikato River. This site, on Horahora Road, has now gone down in history as the spot where turf was first turned on the first of seven of the Government’s Quick Start projects. The first contract was signed in April 2010, assigning $3.4 million from the cycle trail fund to construct the last 41 km of the 100 km distance. In addition, it is estimated that volunteer and in-kind work was donated to a total of $1.5 million.
The opening is scheduled in time for the 2010 World Rowing Championships
2010 World Rowing Championships
The 39th 2010 World Rowing Championships were held at Lake Karapiro, near Cambridge, New Zealand between October 29 – November 7. The annual week-long rowing regatta was organised by FISA . Usually held at the end of the northern hemisphere summer, they were held later in the year in the southern...
at Lake Karapiro
Lake Karapiro
Lake Karapiro is an artificial reservoir lake on the Waikato River in the North Island of New Zealand. The lake, near Cambridge and some south-east of the city of Hamilton, was created in 1947 to store water for the Karapiro Power Station, the last of the eight hydroelectric power stations on the...
, near Cambridge
Cambridge, New Zealand
Cambridge is a town in the Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand. Situated 24 kilometres southeast of Hamilton, on the banks of the Waikato River, Cambridge is known as "The Town of Trees & Champions".In the 1840s Cambridge had a Maori population but in the 1850's missionaries and...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
from 29 October – 7 November. The trail is conservatively attract about 20,000 people per year, with much of the visitors coming from the Auckland and Waikato regions.
Trail description
Originally, the trail was envisaged as a walking track only. When users started cycling the sections that had been opened, the scope was widened for the trail to be of dual use for pedestrians and cyclists. For cycling, the target market is family off road usage with a mountain biking grade of 2-3. One section of the trail at Dunham Creek is suitable for wheelchair access.As of early 2010, 30 km of trails are already open for use, 23 km are built but yet to be opened, 6 km are under construction and a further 41 km are planned to be constructed during 2010.
As at 2 Sept 2011 - The section of the WRT between the Mangakino Lakefront Reserve, and the new swing bridge over the Mangakino Stream is nearing completion. From the swing bridge, the trail is completed through to the Whakamaru Reserve and onward to the Whakamaru Dam.
There is a shuttle available between the Whakamaru Dam and Mangakino, or the swing bridge and Mangakino using the 1907 Otunui Paddleboat.
The trust also planted 6,000 native trees as part of riparian restoration along the trail, as well as erecting 18km of fencing to protect the river from direct impacts of dairy farming.
Attractions
At 425 km, the Waikato River is New Zealand's longest river. The Waikato River has spiritualSpirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
meaning for various local Māori tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
s including the large Tainui
Tainui
Tainui is a tribal waka confederation of New Zealand Māori iwi. The Tainui confederation comprises four principal related Māori iwi of the central North Island of New Zealand: Hauraki, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa and Waikato...
, who regard it as a source of their mana
Mana
Mana is an indigenous Pacific islander concept of an impersonal force or quality that resides in people, animals, and inanimate objects. The word is a cognate in many Oceanic languages, including Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian....
or pride.
There are several hydro lakes along this stretch of the Waikato River:
- Lake Atiamuri was formed behind the Atiamuri Power StationAtiamuri Power StationAtiamuri Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, in the North Island of New Zealand. It is the third of eight hydroelectric power stations on the Waikato River. The station can easily be seen from State Highway 1 between Taupo and Tokoroa.Atiamuri Power Station is ...
. - Lake Whakamaru was formed behind the Whakamaru Power StationWhakamaru Power StationWhakamaru Power Station is a hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River, in the North Island of New Zealand. It was the fourth hydroelectric power station on the Waikato River to be installed....
. - Lake MaraetaiLake MaraetaiLake Maraetai is one of several artificial lakes formed as part of a hydroelectricity scheme on the Waikato River in the North Island of New Zealand...
is a sheltered and scenic lake of 4.4 km2 close to the town of MangakinoMangakinoMangakino is a small town on the banks of the Waikato River in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the hydroelectric power station at Lake Maraetai, southeast of Hamilton. Its population in 2001 was 1257...
. At the lakefront reserve in Mangakino you will find the Bus Stop Cafe, and the fully licensed Otunui Paddleboat offering scenic lake and river tours. There is plenty of parking and free camping for tents and campervans. BBQ, power and toilets available. - Lake Waipapa is located where the Waipapa River flows into the Waikato River.
- Lake ArapuniLake ArapuniLake Arapuni is one of several artificial lakes formed as part of a hydroelectricity scheme on the Waikato River in the North Island of New Zealand. It is located 65 kilometres southeast of Hamilton, to the north of Mangakino....
is formed by the Arapuni Dam. - Lake Karapiro was the last of the eight hydroelectric power stations built on the Waikato River, created in 1947.
The Arapuni Suspension Bridge
Arapuni Suspension Bridge
The Arapuni Suspension Bridge is located just downstream from the Arapuni Power Station on the Waikato River in the South Waikato District of New Zealand...
, a popular tourist destination with a span of 152 m, is located just downstream from the Arapuni Power Station.