Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey continues downstream from Mangawaiiti, stopping at Mangapurua Landing before hiking above a spectacular gorge to the Bridge to Nowhere. From the bridge we return to the landing and continue downstream to Ramanui Camp, opposite the Tieke Kainga marae.
Today's Journey
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View of the silently flowing river through the gorge viewed from just below the camp at Mangawaiiti. |
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After packing up camp, we continue our journey downstream through the gorge under spectacular rimu forest. |
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Passing a small waterfall plunging from a hanging ravine into the river. |
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Following the leader downstream as we approach the top of a small rapid running around a bend in the river. |
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Not long after the rapid, we stop at the Mangapurua Landing. Here we follow a walking track for a couple of kilometres through the dense forest. |
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Reaching the Bridge to Nowhere, built as part of a road which was supposed to cross the central North Island, but only reached to here and along the track we have just followed before the farming settlements here were abandoned. The road quickly deteriorated to walking track leaving this bridge as the only evidence of the road that never was. |
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View down the Mangapurua Valley from the middle of the bridge, which crosses the ravine over a very deep ravine. Much of the forest here was cleared when farming was attempted in this area, but the bush is now regenerating. |
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Returning to the landing, we return to our canoes for lunch and continue downstream. |
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We eventually reach the camping ground at Ramanui, just across the river from the Tieke Kainga Marae. This is the first outpost of civilisation in three days. |
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We watch the dramatic sunset as we have dinner before turning in for our final night on the river. |
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