Ruth's blog: Day 34 - Monday 9th July - Hawera to Opunake via Dawson's Falls

Friday, 13 July 2012

Day 34 - Monday 9th July - Hawera to Opunake via Dawson's Falls

Today we had to take some washing to be dried at a laundrette in Hawera town so we decided to treat ourselves to a climb up the towns water tower. From the views of Mt Taranaki (the active volcano) and the coast can be seen. It was very high up. Unfortunately the cloud came down to nearly the snow line on the mountain so we couldn't see it all.

The Taranaki volcano and Hawera township from Hawera water tower

Hawera Water Tower

From Hawera we drove to Dawson's Falls which are on the south eastern side of Mt Taranaki. From here we did a few walks. We walked to the actual Dawson's Falls via a look out and the small hydroelectric power station which powers the visitor centre.

Luke outside the hydroelectric powerstation

The inside of the powerstation

Dawson's Falls

Ruth beside the Dawson's Falls

The second walk was a loop walk to Wilkie's Pools, a series of small waterfalls, down the river, which fall into small pools. In the summer they are suitable for paddling in, but a bit cold today!!

Wilkie's Pools

The beautiful steps we walked up

The river with the very red and black volcanic rocks

We finally drove onto Opunake where we will spend the night at a beach campsite. We had a lovely walk along the beach as the sun was beginning to set to take some beautiful photos.