ROSS TRACK

We decided to walk up Parahaki again but this time did the loop from the Aquatic centre.  We walked up Dundas Road then the Ross track.  I think this is the best of the tracks about half of it is alongside a small stream with waterfalls.  We then walked back down the Dobbie and Hokianga tracks returning via Mair Park to Vale Road and back to the Aquatic Centre.

We didn't rush and it took us 1 hour 50 minutes including a 10 minute stop at the top.

                                                     The stream alongside the track

The waterfall and "staircase" alongside it.  A couple of years ago Doug helped to bring a gentleman down that on a stretcher.

                                                    The waterfall from the "staircase"

                                                         Looking up at the staircase

                           A couple of views from the top - nice sunny day today

                                                      Some nice Ponga on the descent

Rosemary asked what a ponga is - it is pronounced punga and is a New Zealand tree fern as shown in these photos.

MT. PARIHAKA DESCENT.

continued......................We had planned to take the Drummond track but decided to go right and take the Dobbie and Hokianga tracks for our descent.

The foliage is slightly different on this side.

                                More steps and ponga trees.

                                 


On the side of the track this would have been a very large tree.  Any trees that fall or are felled are left to feed the young seedlings as they appear.

Down at Mair Park

People feeding the ducks and others fishing.

It is good that they put the track around trees.

The track then leaves the park and the native trees give way to poplars and other exotics.  From there it was along Vale Road, down steps to Ewing Road and then along the boardwalk back to the Aquatic Centre and our car.  Two hours.  The weather was perfect for walking, not too hot. (On the news that night it said 25 degrees C.)