📌Spring Base Camp Lake Rotorua (2 nights)

On the 14th-16th of November (Fri, Sat and Sun) we are going to Rotorua, to hike 3 different tracks near Rotorua. We plan to stay at Thermal Holiday Park, at the South end of Rotorua.

The basic plan involves travelling to Rotorua, which is approximately 230 kilometres from Auckland, on Friday, followed by a hike on the near our accommodation to Mt Ngongotaha; however, this hike is optional for those who arrive early.

On Saturday, we will embark on a hike near Green and Blue Lakes, utilizing some of the running trails, although certain sections of the route may present challenges. We will finish the day with a group dinner at the Cobb and Co restaurant. Finally, on Sunday, we will hike the Pohaturoa track in the Whakarewarewa forest, which starts from the Holiday Park.

A reasonable level of fitness and stamina will be necessary, as parts of Saturday's hike may be demanding. Regular participants will receive priority, but newcomers are encouraged to join.

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 : Pohaturoa track 2 hrs 45 min (9.7 km) - optional hike
📌Saturday hike : Green/Blue Lake 5hr 45 min to 6.0 hours (14.5 km)
📌Sunday hike : Mt Ngongotaha hike 2 hours 30 minutes return (6.2 km)
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale,
Friday: 2.5
Saturday: 3.5
Sunday: 2.5
📌Maps:
Friday: Mt Ngongotaha https://tinyurl.com/5c8mwdvj
Saturday: Green/Blue Lake loop (For the route ask me for a GPX file)
Sunday: Pohaturoa loop https://tinyurl.com/pd38che5

🚩Time Guideline:
📌 Friday:
10:00 Leave Auckland (Approx)
12:45 Arrive at Thermal Holiday Park
13:15 Meet at Communal lounge
13:25 Start Mt Ngongotaha hike (optional**)
14:45 Finish hike
19:42 Sunset
** Mt Ngongotaha hike is optional and you can arrive any time on Friday

📌Saturday:
06:18 Sunrise
08:00 Meet at Communal lounge for briefing
08:05 Leave backpackers to start of hike
08:20 Arrive Blue & Green Lakes lookout car park
08:30 Start Hike
14:15 Finish hike
14:25 Drive back to Holiday Park
14:45 Back at Holiday Park
18:30 Optional group dinner
19:43 Sunset

📌Sunday:
06:17 Sunrise
08:30 Meet at Communal lounge for briefing
08:35 Gear all packed up and start Pohaturoa hike
11:15 Finish hike
11:30 Snacks and drinks/early lunch at Mitchell Downs Tavern
12:45 Drive back to Auckland
15:30 Approx arrive back in Auckland
17:18 Sunset

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

👉 1) Thermal Holiday Park, 463 Old Taupo Road, Springfield, Rotorua
(Where we stay for 2 nights)
https://tinyurl.com/56bdy67p

👉 2) Mt Ngongotaha hike car park
(Where we start & finish Mt Ngongotaha hike)
https://tinyurl.com/5yznxmzz

👉 3) Blue & Green Lakes lookout car park
(Where we start & finish the Blue/Green Lake hike)
https://tinyurl.com/4azbkwkk

👉 4) Cobb & Co. Rotorua
(Where we have optional dinner on Sat night)
https://tinyurl.com/9b84etpz (7 minute drive)

👉 5) Mitchell Downs Tavern, 12 Goldie Street, Pukehangi, Rotorua
(where we have snacks and drinks - or late lunch - before departing)
https://tinyurl.com/4t7wh4t9

🚩 Friday : You can arrive at any time on Friday, however we have an optional hike to Mt Ngongotaha 13:15 for those that get to Rotorua early. Before we depart the Holiday Park we shall meet in the Communal lounge for a quick briefing.
The start of the track is about a 10 minute drive from The Holiday Park and features some virgin bush with a very large Rata tree known by the locals as "Pat". Sadly there are no views at the top as there once was in the past.

🚩 Saturday hikes: We will drive for 20 minutes to reach the Blue and Green lookout car park. From that point, we will follow the Tikitapu forestry road, and other tracks creating a loop before returning to the car park at the beginning. The local iwi considers Green Lake to be Tapu, and therefore, it is prohibited to swim, fish, or boat in it. Additionally, a section of the track that runs along the Northern lake edge is now closed to the public, necessitating avoidance of these areas. The estimated duration of our hike is approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes, including breaks. If anyone has a navigation device and would like a GPX file of the proposed route, please let me know. We intend to have a group dinner at 18:30.

🚩 Sunday hike: Pohaturoa track - We start at the Holiday Park and head towards the Round about to cross over the road. We then head south parallel with the State Highway, until we arrive at Whakarewarewa forest. This loop has yellow track markers which we need to follow to avoid the Mountain bikers. We climb up to a panoramic lookout over the Whakarewarewa geothermal valley, and to Te Puia across the city and to Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island. A mix of different tree-types, single track, stairs, forestry roads and some nice viewpoints. We return along the path to the Round about and to the Holiday Park.
About 2 hours 30 minutes (9.6km)

🚩Accommodation: TBA
We stay for 2 nights at Thermal Holiday Park, 463 Old Taupo Road, Springfield, Rotorua
The option are:
4 Basic cabins with two bunks. One bunk has a double below and a single above. The other has a single below and a single above, so there are 4 people to this cabin. The cost for 2 nights is $82.50

1 log cabin has a double bed and one bunk so there are 3 people in this cabin. The cost for 2 nights is $100.

All bedding and towels are provided. There is basic kitchen gear in both cabins but no running water. Bathroom & kitchen facilities are close to these cabins. Only the log cabin has a small fridge.

As we will be spread out in different cabins, then we will need to meet in the communal lounge before we depart the Holiday Park for different hikes. We will have a briefings and organise car pooling here before we leave. Please look at the timetable for meeting times.

The holiday park has hot pools which are free to use. There is a New World Supermarket about a 4 minute drive from the Holiday Park on the Old Taupo Road.

Note: If you plan on staying elsewhere please do not RSVP.

🚩 Payment: Make payment of $82.50 or $100 into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Write "BCRotorua" and your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name. Please make payment by the 22nd October.

🚩Check list of Gear: https://tinyurl.com/2eh2ajey
🚩Costs:
$50 if car pool passenger (based on 2 passengers at 10c/km)
$82.50 or $100 2 nights accommodation TBA
$132.50 or $150 Total

🍔🍗🍷 Optional dinner on Saturday:
This venue will be Cobb and Co, on Fenton Street, which is a 7 minute drive from the Holiday Park.

🚩Please answer the 6 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 up Mt Ngongotaha on Friday at 13:15?
(A) Yes
(B) Maybe
(C) No

(5) Rooms that are currently booked are below. What is your preference? :
(A) Basic Cabin $82.50 TBA
(B) Log Cabin $100 TBA
(C) No Preference

(6) Please give me your cell phone number for car pooling or in case I need to send everyone a text for a last minute change of plan. Numbers will not be made public, and your number and RSVP answers are only
visible to yourself and the organizer. They will also not be passed on, unless myself or someone in our group needs to contact you for car pooling etc. No made up numbers please.