We had a lovely day for this very beautiful walk through some old bush. We set off from the carpark to explore all the trails contained within the Park, previously known as the Wainuiomata Recreational Reserve. We started on the Gums Loop Trail following the Wainuiomata River before turning right onto the Nikau Track, a short 30-minute return track through some very lovely bush. It climbs gradually following the Nikau Stream before coming to a stop at 2 bench seats. It is an area that kiwi has been found roaming in. I had expected this track to be quite muddy from all the rain we had over the last week, but it was in good order. We retraced our steps back to the Gums Loop Track and came into the open area surrounded by the gum trees that the track had been named for. A bit further along we turned right and proceeded up our challenge for the day! This track, the Tama Umaga, wasn’t named after one of Wainuiomata’s most famous sons for nothing! It went straight up and at times was rather slippery. ¾ of the way up we passed what had once been a viewpoint but now overgrown by vegetation. The Regional Council seems to have a policy of not trimming native trees. It is a shame when you have made the effort to climb a hill, to be offered no view. We rounded a horseshoe bend and down a bit to join onto the Sledge Track. This track led us back down the hill gradually through more beautiful old bush. The Tana Umaga and Sledge Tracks were originally a logging track created in the 1880’s. We made our way back to Gums Loop stopping to look at the end swimming hole before heading across the swing bridge (last time in May, the old swing bridge was still there but had now been taken away) and followed the road up to the Lower Dam. This is one of New Zealand’s oldest dams and there were a number of information boards to read. It is now a wildlife reserve and very pretty area. After lunch it was a quick walk down the road to the cars and then off to California Garden Centre for a cuppa.

Trip Leader - Judith
Walkers: Christine, Helena, Lorraine and Mark Hillhouse