features rugged mountainous forests
with ideal habitat for large populations
of introduced species, hence hunting is
near as popular as fishing. There is over
85,000 hectares of public conservation
land within the region, providing
untold opportunities for hunting
pigs, deer and goats, or maybe even
just going for a bushwalk, if hunting
isn’t your thing. There are trails for all
levels of walkers and a great range of
experiences; from a simple stroll to
a thermal pool to extreme mountain
climbing on sheer precipices.
Nearby, Rotorua is a world famous
tourist destination only a bit over an
hour’s drive from WhakatƗne – that is
if you aren’t lured to stop at some of
the wonderful sights and places on the
way — including the waterways and
lakes that offer terrific trout fishing. It’s
a beautiful drive up State Highway 30,
beginning under the watchful eye of
PƗtauaki (Mt Edgecumbe), yet another
volcanic cone that seems to follow you
from the coast until you finally escape
its eye in the mountain ranges. You will
pass the Surtees factory on the left in
the lush green pastures surroundedby the foothills, where mountain
folk, farmers, miners, seafarers and
city slickers combine their talents,
producing their popular and award-
winning nautical offerings.
It’s hard not to be drawn to linger
around the beautiful Rotoiti, Rotoehu
and Rotoma Lakes, where we found
company founder Neil Surtees testing
his newly created jet boat amongst
the heavily forested and idyllic
backdrop. These lakes are scattered
with beautiful little hamlets and
settlements and provide the perfect
scenario for water sports such as skiing
and wakeboarding, or maybe just for a
freshwater swim in the crystal waters
on a summer’s day. There are many
offshoots to warm springs, waterfalls
and other pristine diversions along the
journey.
Eventually, you may succeed in your
adventure by making it to Rotorua,
however for me, the journey was the
highlight. Rotorua is known for its
beautiful lake, bubbling mud pools,
shooting geysers and natural hot
springs, as well as showcasing the
fascinating MƗori culture.I enjoyed circumnavigating the lake
and visiting the beautiful Okere Falls
with its white water rafting and historic
but now defunct hydropower plant —
sculptured in the briskly flowing river,
well over 100 years ago. This section of
the Kaituna River is extremely popular
with rafters and kayakers due to its
frequency of rapids and waterfalls, and
also lays claim to having the highest
commercially rafted waterfall in the
world (7 metres).BACK TO WHAKATANE
From the shopkeepers to council
workers, cleaners to historic residents
and everyone in between, we never
saw a sad face in WhakatƗne, nor were
we met with anything but a friendly
society.
We stayed at the White Island
Rendezvous Motel which is almost
directly opposite the marvelous
waterfront WhakatƗne Sports Fishing
Club on the edge of the WhakatƗne
River — only around 1 km from the
mouth and 500 metres from the multi-
lane boat ramp and facilities. You
needn’t actually leave this area for a60 tradeaboat.com.au