WAIROA STREAM WALK

After going to the Bluebell Wood we decided to walk alongside the Wairoa Stream.  This track was hidden for more than forty years and has only recently been re-opened and some new bridges built.    At the start of the track Doug was thrilled to see this Kumarahou - apparently there used to be a lot of it growing but it likes poor soils and with townships spreading it has started to disappear.  It has many uses including as a soap.  see here

After a short walk alongside the river we could see that there was a sudden drop

and this is the waterfall, The Wairere Falls

The track was quite good but one had to watch out for tree roots - this swimming hole would be very inviting in the heat of summer.

It was a one hour walk which brought us out to the Stone Store and Kemp House, two of New Zealand's oldest buildings.  see here

As we have been here many times we just spent a few minutes and then made the return walk.  This is what most of the track was like.

It was then time for the drive home after a very pleasant visit to Kerikeri.