Tallaganda National Park: Mt Palerang

General Information

Distance:   3.2 kilometers

Total climb:   336 meters

Time taken:   2 hours 10 minutes

Maps:   Bombay 8827-3S 1:25 000

Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:   60 kilometers

Start point map grid reference:  55H GA 35921 77365

Destination map grid reference:  55H GA 35938 76213

End point:  same as start

Route

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

This walk commenced at the intersection of the Mulloon, Gourock Range and Palerang fire trails in Tallaganda National Park, about 20 kilometers east of Hoskinstown. We had no particular walk in mind except that we wanted to climb Mt Palerang (1264m). We began by walking south along the Palerang Fire Trail, and after only 100 meters walking we came across an unexpected (and unmapped) walking track which seemed to be heading in the direction of Mt Palerang. Naturally we decided to follow this track which climbed quickly up one of Palerang's spurs. When we were nearing the 1200m elevation mark we noticed an indistinct track heading off in the direction of the summit, and after some discussion we decided to follow it rather than the more distinct track that we had been following. This took us up to the narrow ridge at the top of Palerang which we followed south through some moderately thick brush to the relatively impressive Palerang trig.



The views from the top of Palerang are limited by the surrounding bush, but in our case were even more limited by the weather conditions: mist and low cloud. Still, it was a great place to be, with no sound apart from birdsong and some beautiful bush surrounding it.




After lunching on the summit we headed back down, intending to take the spur to the southwest and eventually link up with the Palerang Fire Trail. As sometimes happens (at least to us) a rather cavalier attitude to navigation took us back to the walking track we had started on. Bowing to the inevitable, we decided to follow the track back down to the car.

Although the walk ended up being a lot shorter than we had planned, we decided not to do any more walking. Instead we decided to drive around the Tallaganda National Park and the Tallaganda State Conservation Area fire trials to scout out other walking opportunities. There seem to be plenty of options there, so it is likely that we will be back at some time soon.

New Zealand: Togariro National Park, Taranaki Falls Track

General Information

Distance:   6.2 kilometers

Total climb:   104 meters

Time taken:   1 hour 30 minutes

Route

Google Maps

Description

This walk starts in Whakapapa village in Tongariro National Park at the end of Ngauruhoe Terrace. This is a loop walk, and for no particular reason we decided to start along the lower track and return by the upper track. It seemed that most people we came across were going the other way, however, so there may have been some local knowledge at play.

The track is wide, easy to follow and very well maintained. It passes through alpine scrub...

...before reaching Wairere Stream, which is more forested terrain.


 

In time we reached the Taranaki Falls.

The trail then took us to the top of the falls before returning to Whakapapa. There were some alpine views along the way, but these were limited by low cloud.

New Zealand: Huka Falls Walkway

General Information

Distance:   6.4 kilometers

Total climb:   45 meters

Time taken:   2 hours

Route

Google Maps

Description

This walk commenced at the day use carpark at the end of County Avenue about 2.8 kilometers from the centre of Taupo. There are two alternative tracks to follow: a walking only track that follows the Waikato River or a slightly longer mixed use walking and cycling track a bit further to the east. We decided to take the shorter, and probably more picturesque riverside track.

We first followed the track down a path through a beautifully lawned area...



...to a thermal pool running into the Waikato River. This pool was full of bathers so we only stayed long enough to have a look.

Continuing on, the track rises above the river, giving some excellent views along the way.




The track itself is wide and perfectly maintained.



Eventually we arrived at Huka Falls, only to find it packed with sightseers who had taken the easy path over the bridge from the car park on the west side of the river. Nevertheless the canyon and falls were quite spectacular.




While it was open to us to return via the mixed use track, we decided that we would return by the same path.