Lake Rotorangi March 09

Lake Rotorangi March 14-16, a Venture into the Wild (yeh right!)

By Alan Clarke

Lake Rotorangi, longest man-made lake in New Zealand (46 kms) with over 100kms of coastline, was formed when the Patea river was dammed in 1984. The resulting lake is a sparkling gem in south Taranaki.

We, a group of 6, set out from Wellington at 5.30pm Friday evening for the expected 3-4 hour trip but were only at Levin after 3 of those hours. An accident, not our fault, caused the delay. Famished, Liz decided it was tucker time so, with a brilliant bit of sharp cornering, we entered the restaurant. Three courses later, we carried on for a coffee at Wanganui which, at 10.30pm, was closed for the night. The camp site was reached shortly after midnight. Isolation, what isolation. Among a cast of hundreds we set up camp, consumed a little more, then kipped.

The next day revealed all. What a sight. Apart from 364 jet skis and 273 tow boats there in front of us was a beautiful lake surrounded by native bush. This lake was a cross between the Marlborough Sounds and the Whanganui river minus the bad bits, gales and pests. Ace I thought. Off we went.

The first days paddle was a mixture of headwinds and tailwinds which arose, not because of unsettled weather, but because the lake keeps doing 180 degree turns. The water was flat and warm, safe enough for someone to have put a caravan on a raft and called it a houseboat. There were of course a few more than a few speed boats, but not enough to spoil the placidity of the lake or that of its many side arms. Up these we met locals, pighunters, and fishermen armed with home brew in sunny possies moored to the shore with not a fish in sight.

Our campsite for two nights was very basic but brilliant. Judy, having a restless desire to explore and also having spent a rested day in the front cockpit of a double, decided to climb. On return, covered in mud, Judy described the views in glowing terms and access to the tops and return as “easy”. Rubbish. The views were awesome but having got significantly lost on return, I will always treat Judy’s term “easy” with suspicion.  Tim in the meantime, devoted to Janets every need, had decided to construct a manuka bench for two. The endeavour took two evenings and many iterations but the final product was worthy of the creator and an entertainment for us all. Firewood was dry and plentiful, the wind dropped on command as the sun set for the fire to be lit. Morning mists produced surreal dawns.

The campsite was so good, Liz slept through the second days paddle. This paddle took us away from the bush to pastureland and a water ski club. Again light winds and flat water. The third days paddle on Monday was the best. Normal folk had returned to work so the lake was ours. The day dawned to a mirror lake and that’s how it stayed. Magic reflections, good company and no wind on a flat lake, can it get better? A late lunch, loading boats, easy banter and away to Wellington brought the trip to an end.

To those who paddled, Neil, Judy, Liz, Janet and Tim, a big thanks. Liz’s words at Otaki, lets turn around and go back sums it up. If you are reading this and think the lake sounds worth a trip, do it.

To any Taranaki clubbies reading this article, what else are you geezers hiding?