NSYY Taupo Times 21 October with Ruth and Jude

Join up with the Taupo ‘club’ and explore three different areas of the Lake and its waterways, by kayak, foot or bike.

Being spring we expect to enjoy the kowhai floral display and the aerial antics of tui, plus the thermal delights of Lake Taupo including a hot swim at Wairakei one evening.
Suitable for Intermediate paddlers (or strong and determined beginners).

Friday night 21/10 – after grabbing some takeaways on the way down and settling in to your accommodation we’ll gather at Jude Sherning’s place, (directions will be emailed after registration), sort out any car- pooling or changes to the programme (nothing is fixed in stone – all is weather dependent)  and socialize.

Saturday 22/10 - meet 8.30am at Jude Sherning’s place. Drive to Jerusalem Bay, paddle around to see the Maori carvings, then onto Kaiapo Bay for lunch. 20km return. Keen paddlers could continue on to Whakaipo Bay (extra 5km). Less energetic could stop sooner.

Sunday 23/10 - meet 8.30am at Jude’s place. Drive to Whakaipo Bay. Either kayak around to Kinloch and return (25km total) or cycle the W2K track (2 hrs ea way grade 3, could also do the headland loop) or hikers can walk the 14.3km. (Options here are to either swap with a kayaker and paddle back to car or arrange to start at Kinloch and get a car ride back to base.)

Monday 24/10 - meet 8.30am at Jude’s.  From Taupo drive on Broadlands Rd to Earnslaw Farm on the Waikato River, and paddle to Mihi bridge (22km – would need to car shuttle).  

Dinners - pot luck dinner at Jude’s. We’ll make up two cooking groups. One to provide food and cook on Sat and the other on Sun nights.  BYO nibbles and drinks.

Plan B’s -

Alternative for a super windy day. Drive to Hatepe on the eastern side of Lake Taupo and paddle the sunken forest on the Hinemaiaia Stream.

Alternative paddle from the Taupo town centre to Two Mile Bay, then onto Five Mile Bay. 18km return.

Plan C – De Brett Hot pools and slides or Wairakei Park and Thermal Valley

Accommodation: Jude can accommodate eleven others in two dble beds and three mattresses, plus 2 pup tents on the lawn, plus 2 on own mattress’s in garage. BYO bedding. Alternatively: freedom camp at Reeds farm (long drop and tap); stay at Top Ten Holiday Park 07 378 6860 or De Brett’s 07 378 8559. Both have camp sites, cabins and motel style units.