They come near and far each year to explore the high tussock and farmland of Moawhango, between Taihape and Waiouru. Murray Taylor has the story.
The Moawhango School & Community’s annual fund-raising 4WD Safari/Trek/Tagalong (north-east of Taihape) is always well supported so I didn’t waste any time when I received my entry notification for the 2018 event.
That was back in August so you can imagine the sense of anticipation as the November 24 date drew near.
Registration took place as a morning cup of tea was served, with friends old and new meeting in familiar surroundings. Then, after a brief outline of the day’s programme, and parting comment to all about enjoying the day, and taking care on the tracks, it was a case of mounting up to follow the lead vehicle to the first property.
There were 84 4WDs in total with control vehicles splitting the large group into smaller groups of 10 or so vehicles.
Our first right hand turn off the tarseal was into Oruamatua Station’s front gate and up the track towards the Airstrip, passing a crop of Kiwi Quinoa. For those who don’t know, Quinoa is an Andean grain, (health food) the first crop being harvested here in 2016. I know this because it was written up in the Safari info pack every entrant received, with pages matched to numbered 20 litre drums set by a gate so you could work out where you were.
First track
The first track that led across the property eventually came back out on Makokomiko Road with a hard left turn heading up an otherwise No Exit road, before crossing Mangahoata Stream on the way towards Big Hill, then turning left up another farm track away from the road. It was at this stage we started climbing upwards, with the odd spit of rain as we got higher, the altimeter showing we are over 800 metres as we travelled along a ridge top.
Although great, the views are limited to when one can take one’s eyes off the track, and as we passed just under Mt Turiohineterangi the lead came to halt. Time to regroup. Once everyone was present and accounted for we started moving again over the crest of the ridge with views down into Mangahoata Stream and Makokomiko Station.
Back on Makokomiko East road we made our way east past the station buildings and the airstrip before again heading up, up and away along another ridge, elevation this time 845 metres before dropping down again. The notes indicated “steep decline - Low Gear please” on a steep section of track which had not had rain on it; good to see, because it would have been fun otherwise..
Not long after the steep decline, it was off track to go below a dam. The main track did actually cross the dam itself but it was felt that the sheer number of vehicles taking part could have damaged it (the dam) so off we trundled downhill below through a rougher damp crossing which was getting muddier by the vehicle, and, after the odd one got stuck the remainder headed further down the paddock to cross over.
Shangri-La!
The next thing you know we are down in the valley bottom, admiring the Shangri-La (aka the old Shepherd’s stay out/fishing huts) which were on our right as we left Makokomiko Station and entered Erewhon Station via a rocky creek crossing, quite rough, but solid underneath.
Immediately afterwards we are back climbing again as we sidled up under Makokomiko at 783m for a view point looking down the Rangitikei River towards the historic Springdale suspension bridge in the far distance.
On the move again we continued to climb, eventually joining Erewhon’s main inland track to this area of the station where the altimeter read 845 metres as we drove past the latest in mobile kitchens for the farm staff.
This was our lunch stop too so we dropped down into Erewhon’s main yards and around to the woolshed, parking up along the access driveway to partake of an excellent brown paper bag repast, which was most welcome and filling, along with tea/coffee.
With the weather still very undecided, and the forecast forever changing if one looked at the sky, the decision was made that we would skip the afternoon’s itinerary because if the rain arrived early it would make life difficult to say the least.
So it was on to a less weather-dependant track and not long before we were heading off the main road north where we enjoyed a pleasant drive with lots of farmland, and bush hills on our way to a ridge before dropping down into the Kapanga Stream.
On the valley floor we then turned right and climbed again before turning off the marked track to bush bash across a few paddocks alongside Aorangi Stream, before crossing the stream on a heavy duty bridge to head upstream on the true right.
As we topped the ridge, the view was towards the Kaimanawa (Three Kings) Swinburn bush and the Stowman range, all on army land, it was that close. As it turned out the rain held off and the track was in good condition since it has been used recently by logging trucks for hauling timber out of the valley.
We were still quite high at this point as when we headed up hill on a different track to exit the valley a quick look at the altimeter showed 695m before we heading downhill again. This time it was through a set of deer fences with deer all around as we slowly dropped down the hill, and past a small pond with hut and wharf, looking like the perfect set up for a little bit of duck shooting.
Finally it was through another set of gates and we were back on the Taihape-Napier road, with just a short trip into Erewhon Station and the main woolshed where dinner was being prepared on the BBQ.
Following a short presentation, another round of thanks and the drawing of the raffle, it was time to eat. And, as usual, all I can say is, what a spread, with beef, pork, sausages, venison and mutton to go with the potatoes and salad, followed by cakes if one was inclined. Plus hot drinks and a bar for those that required something else to drink….
To all, including those who supported the event, thanks for a great day…..
To read the full story in the February 2019 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (January 21) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.
