Five of us rocked up at the Les Batkin Reserve by the Tuakau Bridge to meet up with Kay & any others for our day's adventure (thanks Joy for transporting us). As it turned out we were the only group!. The rain had ceased & amazingly the rest of the day remained fine & very mild. The plan was to drive up to Harker Reserve Onewhero do a loop walk, view the Vivian Falls then onto Port Waikato & come back to see Alexander Redoubt. 

Harker Reserve is only short driving distance over the Tuakau Bridge, this reserve is on private land & the Harker family protected 25 hectares of bush on the northern side of the track under Queen Elizabeth ll covenant in 1982. It is a key ecological site looked after by a group of local volunteers with support from Councils & QEll Trust. This track wound thru lovely bush & eventually came out to a lookout area & from there down to Vivian Falls only a short way off the road. Access via small man made stone stair case. The falls were very impressive in fact you could hear the roar of the water quite a distance away as the falls were in fine flow. These falls are 12m high Maori name Te Wai Heke O Maoa & the area & falls steeped in Maori history quite blood thirsty in fact. Pics attached. This reserve & falls is referred to as a 'Hidden Gem' & I certainly agree with that. 

After doing the loop walk back & a break for morning tea it was off in the cars & out to Port Waikato which is on the south bank of the Waikato river at its outflow into the Tasman sea. Was also an important Port during the NZ Wars of 19th century. The weather a lot quiter so seas not too rough but we could see how Sunset Beach is ravaged by erosion with obvious signs of recent extensive damage most probably from the recent storm. We could see where the sea came right up the sandbanks & up & over the top into the dunes. Pics attached. We enjoyed a walk along the beach then returned & went to Cobourne Reserve for lunch. 3 acres of beautiful gardens donated & again cared for by volunteers. Good views could be had from here of the Waikato river & looking back to mouth to Tasman sea. We felt like tourists tripping from place to place & having good walks as well. Quite muddy on some tracks so we were glad to have our boots. 

Our final stop at Alexander Redoubt 2km south of Tuakau. This redoubt sited on a bluff giving expansive views of the Waikato river & beyond. We enjoyed another good bush walk, it was obvious the latest winds had roared thru here with trees & branches down. This area is regenerating forest full of many NZ natives. It was also interesting to look at the trenches etc dug. This area was built in 1863 the fortification was not attacked although the 65th Regiment were involved in a nr. of battles while based at the Redoubt. Some pics attached & view from the area looking down on river & bridge. 

Thanks Kay, a neat day, saw new sites, still plenty walking & lots fresh air with a fine day to boot! 

Colleen W.

Click here for photos from Colleen