The Tarawera Falls trip was memorable for two reasons:

• It was a long journey in two vans to get there and home again – 6 hrs total.
• It rained steadily for the whole tramp and I’m sure most people and their packs were sodden - I certainly was!

However, the beauty of the bush track and the spectacular Tarawera falls could not be disputed, and the rain added to the mystical nature of the walk.  After photographing the falls we followed the river through the bush, passing the swimming hole where I had previously swum, but unfortunately the weather was not conducive to swimming.  The wind blew the rain into our faces as we crossed a bridge and reached our destination – the Tarawera Outlet and DOC camp.   It was here we found a shelter where we attempted to keep dry as we ate our lunch.

We retraced our steps to return to the vans. On the way back we saw where the river disappears before emerging at the Falls.  After changing into dry clothes we headed home via Kawerau.

Mary