480855

Whakaipo Bay Tree Planting

Bring a spade and help plant another 600 native trees at Whakaipo Bay on:

Sunday 10 August 10.30am

As well as adding to the June gully plantings we'll be planting several mature trees along the foreshore road and getting a team together to help 'release' plants along the foreshore - ie weeding! Join us for a hot drink and sausage at the Girl Guide camp at the conclusion of the event.

Last month's effort saw 2,600 trees planted in less than an hour, it was a great event and we're looking forward to this one, albeit on a smaller scale.

Regards,

Lianne Fraser

Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai, Turangi Taupo Area

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

T: +64 (0)7 386 9263

M: +64 (0)27 452 5456

Posted: Sun 27 Jul 2008

480843

Iconic Cycle Track

Media Release

Taupo could soon be welcoming another great cycle track into the stable of tracks that makes the central North Island such an exciting cycling destination. Local cycling advocates Bike Taupo are welcoming news that the Ministry of Tourism has granted their bid to undertake a feasibility study into a track from Whakaipo Bay through to Waihaha on the western side of the lake. The new track will extend the current track from Kawakawa Bay to Waihaha.

After the initial seven ‘quick start’ trails picked to get ‘Nga Haerenga- The New Zealand Cycle Trail’ started, the Taupo track has been identified as part of phase two of the national cycle trail project. Granted as one of 13 projects from across the country to be funded by the Ministry of Tourism, a feasibility study is now required to be undertaken by Bike Taupo. This study will involve pricing and checking the visions proposed in the concept plans to ensure the tracks can be built and will deliver what they promise.

Bike Taupo will develop this study, which will involve consultation with landowners in the area. “This consultation process is already underway, and has been for some time, so it is really important for us to continue to work with landowners in making this happen” says Alan Vane from Bike Taupo. “We have already been talking to some landowner representatives in the area, as well as the Department of Conservation, and other organisations. Ongoing discussions are important for us to achieve what will be a fantastic cycling experience in a part of the region which is otherwise hard to get to and has stunning scenery.”

The overall vision for “Nga Haerenga - The New Zealand Cycle Trail” is to generate lasting economic, environmental and social benefits for local communities by providing a network of “Great Rides” through some of the country’s most beautiful scenery.

The proposed new track would offer exciting new business and tourism opportunities including overnight accommodation, ferries to and from Taupo to connect with the cycleway, boat trips, track drop off and pick up, camping, biking, walking, events and kayaking.

This is promising news and exactly the type of development Taupo needs to continue to build on its reputation as a year-round summer and winter playground.

If the feasibility study is accepted by the Ministry of Tourism it is envisaged the track will take several years to complete. Some sections will be able to be utilised from an early stage which will allow maximum opportunity for local businesses to get up and running before the track is complete.

Posted: Thu 11 Mar 2010

480847

Pete and Pete's Progress Report

October 09

We are still banging away on Kawakawa Bay track been getting a bit of a soaking at times but a bonus is the track packs down fast We are up to the main steam crossing working our way out of the gully. This will bypass the stairs once we have shifted the bridge.

September 09

With DoC we have started upgrading the Kawakawa Bay track. The grades will be more like W2K so the whole track is able to be ridden but at the same time we are hoping we can retain the character of the track going through the rock areas and the stream crossings.

Posted: Thu 29 Oct 2009

480844

Why do it?

The idea behind this project is to create an epic ride of the Central North Island.

Imagine:

riding down to the Taupo boat harbour after breakfast in town
catching a shuttle with your bike and tent
getting dropped of on a beach to start a 100km ride, through native forest with spectacular views of the lake and the mountains
your tent and gear will be waiting for you somewhere at the half way point
ride back to Kinloch or Taupo the next morning with a daypack, leaving your overnight gear for the shuttle

Read some more detailed information on the National Cycle Way project (Nga Haerenga) here: http://www.tourism.govt.nz/Our-Work/New-Zealand-Cycle-Trail-Project/

Press Release by The Greens: http://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/nga-haerenga-new-zealand-cycleway-takes-shape

Posted: Sat 13 Feb 2010

480836

Green Light for the Lake Track

Funding Approved for the Lake Track

BikeTaupo Media Release

The Ministry of Tourism advised today that Government funding will be made available to Bike Taupo to construct the Lake Track Cycle Trail on the western shore of Lake Taupo.
The track as proposed is one of the National Cycleways Projects and will be approximately 100 kilometres in length.

The first part of this track, approximately 35 kilometres, has already been constructed by Bike Taupo and includes the popular W2K Track.
The funding now made available by the Government is to construct the remaining 65 kilometres of the track through to the Waihaha Road bridge on State Highway 32.

“Bike Taupo is absolutely delighted that the Government has seen the wisdom of making funding available for development of the Lake Track” said Bike Taupo Chairman, Thomas Schwarz.
The track will mainly pass over and use public conservation land, but will also pass over and use some private land. “Approval in principle to pass over and use the private land has been given by some of the private land owners” said Mr Schwarz “but consultation continues with other private land owners. We are hopeful that such approval will be given over the next 2-3 months.”

If all approvals are given, then construction of the remaining 65 kilometres of the Lake Track could commence early in 2011.
Once completed, the track will be multi stage with shorter stages more suitable for beginners, and others for intermediate cyclists. Primary access to the track will be by road and/or water taxi. It is proposed that there will be 5 places on the lake where cyclists can be dropped off or picked up by boat. Two of those places, Kinloch and Boat Harbour, already have existing accommodation of some form.

The complete track will take 3 days to ride from start to finish. Using water taxis, cyclists will be able to choose separate sections of the track to ride depending on their level of experience and time available.

ENDS

See also:

Extract from the Feasibility Study
Map of the proposed track
Stages of the LakeTrack
Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail Project on the Ministry of Tourism Website

Posted: Tue 06 Jul 2010