📌Base Camp Lake Rotorua (2 nights)

On the 18th-20th of July (Fri, Sat and Sun) we are going to Rotorua, to hike 4 different tracks not far from the city centre. We plan to stay at Rock Solid Backpackers in Rotorua CBD.

The basic plan is to drive down to Rotorua (about 230km) on Friday and hike around Blue lake, however this is optional to those who arrive early. Then on Saturday we will hike the Mangarewa loop, and finish with a shorter hike at Whakarewarewa forest. We finish the day with a group dinner at Rotorua town. Finally on Sunday we will hike a loop to Tokorangi Pa, before driving back to Auckland. A reasonable level of fitness and stamina will be required. There are no big hills to climb or long distances to hike this time. Regulars get priority but new comers are welcome.

As with all overnight weekend hikes, if it is your plan to skip Sunday's hike then please do not RSVP . On future hikes, you will also be unlikely to join the Going list.

🚩 Summary of details:
📌Duration: Whole trip is 3 days and 2 nights;
📌Friday hike : Blue lake circuit 1 hour 40 minutes (5.7 km) - optional hike
📌Saturday hikes :
Hike 1: Mangorewa loop 5 to 5.5 hours (9.7 km)
Hike 2: Tikitapu - Okareka loop 1 hours 30 minutes (4.8 km)
📌Sunday hike : Tokorangi Pa hike 3 hours 30 minutes return (11.2 km)
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale,
Friday: 2.5
Saturday: 3.0
Sunday: 3.0
📌Maps:
Friday: Blue Lake loop https://tinyurl.com/kjwkr89
Saturday: Mangorewa loop https://tinyurl.com/53jvzkmz
Tikitapu - Okareka loop loop: https://tinyurl.com/5n7me8wa
Sunday: Tokorangi Pa https://tinyurl.com/mrvd3nab

🚩Time Guideline:
📌 Friday:
10:00 Leave Auckland (Approx)
13:05 Arrive at Blue & Green lakes lookout car park
13:15 Start Blue Lake loop (optional hike**)
15:00 Finish hike
17:16 Sunset
** Blue lake is optional and you can arrive any time on Friday

📌Saturday:
07:27 Sunrise
08:00 Leave backpackers to start of hike
08:30 Arrive at Mangorewa track car park
08:45 Start Hike
13:45 Finish hike
13:50 Drive to Tarawera Road, Rororua
14:35 Arrive Blue Lake car park
14:40 Start Tikitapu- Okareka loop hike
16:10 Finish hike
16:30 Back at Backpackers
17:16 Sunset
18:30 Optional group dinner

📌Sunday:
07:27 Sunrise
08:30 Pack up and drive to Longmile Road
08:45 Start Tokorangi Pa hike
12:30 Finish hike
12:35 Snacks and drinks at Good Eastern Taphouse
14:00 Drive back to Auckland
17:00 Approx arrive back in Auckland
17:18 Sunset

🚩 These are the 6 important stopping points to note when driving:

👉 1) Rock Solid Backpackers 1140 Hinemoa Street, Rotorua CBD
(Where we stay for 2 nights)
https://tinyurl.com/mr2tp5r7

👉 2) Mangorewa loop track lookout car park
(Where we start & finish the Mangorewa loop hike)
https://tinyurl.com/2p9syasm

👉 3) Blue lake car park (North end of Blue lake)
(Where we start & finish the Blue Lake loop)
(Where we start & finish the Tikitapu - Orareka loop hike)
https://tinyurl.com/mnryj6aw

👉 4) Car park, Long mile Road, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua
(Where we start and finish the Tokorangi Pa & Pohaturoa loop tracks)
https://tinyurl.com/5k25s4nm

👉 5) The Fainting goat Gastrobar (TBC)
(where we have optional dinner on Sat night)
https://tinyurl.com/bddj2vyk

👉 6) Good Eastern Taphouse, 6 Tarawera Road
(where we have snacks and drinks -or late lunch- before departing)
https://tinyurl.com/5n8x272m

🚩 Friday : You can arrive at any time on Friday, however we have a short optional hike around Blue Lake at 13:00 for those that get to Rotorua early.

🚩 Saturday hikes: We drive for half an hour north west from Rotorua to the Mangorewa stream to complete a loop which the first part will be in a stream and you will get your feet wet. The stream is very slippery, so it is suggested to wear old socks over your shoes/boots for a better grip. Perhaps a hiking pole or a stick would be good for balance. It should take about 5 hours. We then drive to the other side of Rotorua to complete a short hike near Blue lake before heading back to the Backpackers. We plan to have a group dinner at 18:30

🚩 Sunday hike: The track is a loop from the Redwoods carpark
Some of the route is shared with, horse riders and mountain bikers. The route goes through Douglas fir, European Larch, Walnut and various Eucalyptus and leads to the site of an ancient Māori pa. The track then continues down to the valley floor along ‘The Wash’. On the way back we past the wastewater treatment ponds to return via Katore and Nursery Roads. About 3 hours 30 minutes (11.2km)

🚩Accommodation:
We stay for 2 nights at Rock Solid Backpackers in the Rotorua CBD, on 1140 Hinemoa street. Rooms booked are:

1. 4 bed dorm room $40/night x 2 = $80 each
2. 4 bed dorm room $40/night x 2 = $80 each
3. 3 bed dorm room $40/night x 2 = $80 each
4. 3 bed dorm room $40/night x 2 = $80 each
5. 2 bed room (twin) $55/night x 2 = $110 each
6. 2 bed room (twin) $55/night x 2 = $110 each

The beds booked are for 18 people, anyone who joins after all beds are taken then they will have to make their own booking, however there should be plenty of extra beds. Please mention that you are with Hiking Aotearoa, and you will have a bed in the same area as the rest of the group.

🚩Parking: there are 5 private parking spaces available for $5 per night. Street parking is also available but needs to be paid for until Saturday midday. The rest of the weekend is free. If you can not find parking, then there is parking near the Polynesian pools.

🚩 Payment: Make payment of either $80 or $110 by 2nd July. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Write "Rotorua" and your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name. Please hold on payment until booking has been confirmed and rooms allocated.

🚩Check list of Gear: https://tinyurl.com/2eh2ajey
🚩Costs:
$50 if car pool passenger (based on 2 passengers at 10c/km)
$80 or $110 2 nights accommodation
$130 or $160 Approx Total

🍔🍗🍷 Optional dinner on Saturday:
This venue will be announced.

🚩Please answer the 5 RSVP questions:
(1) What is your transport situation for carpooling:
(A) have transport, can offer rides
(B) have transport, can drive if needed, but prefer to get a ride
(C) Have no transport, need a ride
(2) So, carpooling can be assisted, which suburb (or part of Auckland) do you live in?
(3) Approximately what time do you think you will arrive in Rotorua on Friday?
(4) Would you be interested in joining the optional hike around Blue lake on Friday at 13:00?
(A) Yes
(B) Maybe
(C) No
(5) Rooms that are currently booked (costs TBC) are below. What is your preference? :
(A) x2 Triple rooms ($40/night)
(B) x2 Quad rooms ($40/night)
(C) x2 Twin rooms ($55/night)