After enjoying my share of Palmerston North’s urban enticements, Manawatū’s big backyard was calling. The corrugated dragon-like spine of the Tararua and R
Mike Yardley: Manawatu’s Big Backyard
Mike Yardley: Manawatu’s Big Backyard Sat, 13 Mar 2021, 1:30PM
After taking my fill of Palmerston North’s urban enticements, the big backyard was calling. The towering dragon-like spine of the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges, beckon as a billboard for outdoorsy adventure and my first playground date was at Arapuke Mountain Bike park. Formerly known as K-Loop, the Arapuke Forest Park is the premier mountain bike destination in the lower North Island with over 30kms of well-formed trails, in a growing network. Spanning all grades of difficulty, the Grade 2 trails are the ideal option for beginners and families. From the Scott’s Road entrance, I struck out on the Icebreaker trail which threads you through Douglas Fir trees, before switching onto the Swamp Monster trail which looped me back to the car park. I then headed to the Kahuterawa Road car park to strike out on the region’s beloved Sledge Track.
New Zealand s best swimming holes, beaches and outdoor pools to visit this summer
27 Dec, 2020 05:16 PM
8 minutes to read
By: Ewan McDonald
Summer is bliss. Or Bliss , if your coming-of-age memory is Th Dudes gig at the Soundshell.
It s the rosy beginning, burnt-orange middle and fading end of the golden weather, when life is a beach, a surf break, lakeshore, swimming hole, whitewater raft-ride, sit-down or stand-up paddle bay; when New Zealand becomes a country of sails.
Aotearoa has 15,000km of coastline, which means that each of us gets 3 metres to find a tree, spread out a towel and moor a gently defrosting chilly bin.