places to go in takaka region ?

kdub104 · Post by **kdub104** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:03 pm

hi all

got a family 50th up in takaka area soon so looking for some local info on some decent tracks (harder)to suit a couple of vehicles with winches etc,its always good to get local knowledge.

may look at doin a nights camping aswell

cheers guys

oldblue · Post by **oldblue** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:38 pm

Go for a drive thro the Aorere Gold Field road.
Go in from Rockville, past Druggans Dam, and comes out at Plain Road.
Would give it a grade 3

Smurf · Post by **Smurf** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:38 pm

I think the Goldfields is shut down. The land is now owned by a large mining company that has closed it down. I'd ring DOC to confirm this though. I have only heard this through word of mouth.
Its a good drive though. Got my first dents in my Surf in there.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:18 pm

If you want to do an overnighter a trip down to Kahurangi Lighthouse would be cool. We went down there over xmas.
It's a great drive on the road around the Whanganui inlet, then a couple of easy fords (depending on recent rainfall obviously) then it's south down the beach to the Anaweka (IIRC) river that you cross on the beach, be real careful here, walk it first to check for soft sand. A few k's down the beach is Big river, We parked up there & walked 40 min to the (awesome) hut, but with 2 vehicles (I'd pack a ground anchor that works in sand too) & a thorough scouting of the best route you should be able to get across OK. You want to be at Big River 1 hr after low tide & at the Anaweka not too far either side of that.

Judging by all the seals around there's probably some good fishing to be had off the rocks, & apparently the beach can be driven a little way south of the lighthouse at low tide.

Cheers
Clint