Living in Christchurch, I travel a lot around in the South Island. A couple of hours drive (or even less) and you’ll find some really cool stuff to see and do. I call Christchurch the perfect location! Now and then the boyfriend and I fly out to the North Island, like we did a month ago.
It was time to visit a part of New Zealand we had never ever been to! Exciting! I felt butterflies in my belly, it felt like travelling again. I realize this maybe sounds weird to you guys, because I live in New Zealand, where I find myself every weekend in stunning places. Basically I’m travelling every weekend. But discovering a new spot in my new home country really gave me goosebumps again 🙂
Place to be this time: Mount Taranaki (also called Mount Egmont), an active volcano on the west coast of the North Island. It’s last eruption was in the 19th century, it is 2518m high and it’s the second highest mountain on the North Island.
When we drove closer and closer my eyes were searching the mountain, but there was nothing to see… The big bad volcano was invisible. What there was though, was a bunch of clouds in the shape of a… you can guess it…mountain.
The next morning luck was more on our side and the clouds disappeared. There it was! Mount Taranaki, the Mount Fuji-look-a-like, the big and impressive volcano, right in my face! Did you know the mountain was the backdrop for the movie the last Samurai? Because of its resemblance to Mount Fuji. What do you think yourself?
Then it was time for a little hike. Because it was already quite late, we went for the easy option (yes, we’re lazysometimes). We walked about 2 hours up to Pouakai Hut. The bush is so weird and cute that you feel in a fairytale. Once you cross the bush line, the hut is only 20 minutes away. Pouakai hut has a cute little fire where you can warm up at night and there are 2 rooms with big bunkbeds (you can cuddle up with 5 people in one bed), but most of all, there is a good view on the coast.
To face Mount Taranaki, you have to hike a tiny bit more. So we just dropped our bags and walked to a little tarn. Nico and I had seen many photos of Taranaki and its reflection in the tarn, they all looked photoshopped.. We thought it couldn’t be possible that there really was a tarn with perfect reflections. Haha, I can assure you, those photos are not photoshopped. There is really a cute little tarn that has a perfect reflection of Mount Taranaki. I love life.
Of course we couldn’t miss the sunset in front of this giant. We took our wine and cameras and stayed put. Taking photos and shooting video means often being patient. Not one of my biggest features, but for a sunset in front of a volcano, I don’t mind. Then it’s just enjoying (until it really gets to cold).
And then it happened… Around sunset the wind stopped blowing and there it was: the perfect reflection in the little lake.
Interested to check out the hut and easy walk? All the information on the site of Dept. of Conservation.
If have some extra time, go to New Plymouth and visit the Puke Arike Museum. It’s free, there are some cool exhibitions and there is free wifi!
Excited?
Hi there!
Can i do the track for 1 day trip? and go back to stay at hostel near the car park (Mangorei road) or i should rather stay there for 1 night?
You can do it in one day for sure. The track to Pouakai hut doesn’t take very long, about 2.30hours. You could leave in the morning, have lunch up there and return in the afternoon. Do take enough time to have a bit a browse around the tarns. It’s gorgeous. Happy hiking!
Hi there,
Which walk / route did you walk to the tarn? And how long is that from the hut?
Hi Anniek, the tarns are just a short walk up behind the hut onto the Pouakai Track. You’ll arrive at a plateau (with wooden walkway) and then the tarns will be on your left side. I’d say it’s not more than 20 minutes to get there.