ORAKEI-KORAKO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 234, 2 October 1937, Page 1 (Supplement)

ORAKEI-KORAKO.

NEW THERMAL WONDERS. SOME UNIQUE FEATURES. (By DOUGLAS A. DA VIES.) Interest in the Rotorua thermal regions should receive a fresh and increased impetus among both New Zealand travellers and overseas tourists during the approaching holiday season as a result of the Government's decision to make available a sum of money for immediate ex[>enditure on improving the access road from Atiamuri to the Orakei-Korako valley, an area considered by Dr. A. L. Day, the worldfamous authority on hot springs and geysers, to be unique among thermal attractions. On a recent visit to the valley, Dr. Day was greatly impressed by the thermal activity, particularly the white silicated terraces, which he stated were the largest in the world.

Although Orakei-Korako was well known more than 40 years ago, when the locality was approached by the old coaching road through to Taupo, little has been heard of the valley in recent years because of the disgraceful state of repair into which the access road has been permitted to fall. In the early days of Kototua history, Orakei-Korako was famous because it boasted the biggest and most spectacular geyser in New Zealand with the exception of Waimangu. Much historical interest attaches to the valley, which was the original ancestral home of Ngati Taliu.

At the time of the eruption of the Tarawera liountain on June 10, 1880, the ground at Orakoi-Korako was. said to have trembled violently, and the panic-stricken inhabitants fled for their lives, finally to settle again at Reporoa. One member of Tabu remained, and to-day, in the solitude of the deserted valley he lives a peaceful life, acting a*s guide to the occasional visitor whom he takes on a precarious canoe journey across the swiftly flowing river. Journey From Rotorua. The journey from Eotorua to OrakeiKorako provides one of the most interesting and varied tours, in the district. After leaving the town the road winds round the famous Whakarewarewa thermal reserve, and one mile further on the main Taupo highway is left behind to follow the Atiarnuri road through the Horohoro native settlement, where tree-studded farms have replaced the scene of barren desolation of a few years ago. Dominating the landscape is the huge flat-topped Horohoro bluff, the subject of great interest to geologists. Passing from tlie farm lands, the road leads through thousands of acres of exotic forest. The most interesting item on the road is the historical "witches rock." famous in Maori mythology as the spot where the chief Hatupatu, pursued by the dreadful ogress. Kurangaitmku. for eating her pet birds, repeated an enchantment which caused the huge stone to open and receive him.

Finally, before leaving the main road 011 the last stage of the journey to Orakei-Korako, a great peak, called by geologists the '"rhvolite plug," comes into view. An exceptionally steep anil rugged mountain, the summit its covered in green trees where forestry employees planted young saplings years ago as an experiment. At Atiamuri, where the Waikato plunges through a rooky gorge, there in a splendid view of a stretch of rapids.

A dilapidated sign-post, almost completely covered by fern, point* a lonely finger to an uninviting track, covered with boulders and broken with deep potholes at frequent intervals. The road is uphill for the first part of the way. but when the summit is reached probably the most magnificent panorama of the whole thermal areas is opened up. From the beauty of the view the locality has derived its name of Inspiration Point. Far down the steep scrubcovered hillside, the Waikato appears like a glinting ribbon, as it winds its way round sharp points and down through straights. White Silicated Terraces. Continuing round the narrow road, frequent glimpses of the river prevent any possibility of monotony, with wild duck and swans attracting the attention at every turn. Down now to the river level, the road skirts the gushing waters, the far flung spray splashing the wind screen of the car. From the rainbow effect, as the waters flash over the varied and brilliant hued rocks, the rapids have been named Aniwaniwa or Rainbow rapids. At the river side the old Maori resident approaches with his rouglilv hewn canoe, a craft which appears painfully inadequate for crossing such a stretch of angry waters. The scenery in this locality is eminently picturesque, the beautiful river winding its headlong course at the bottom of the valley, enclosed on both sides bv high irregular and fern-clad hills. Across the water a small rise is mounted before the most amazing sight of all is witnessed. Nature has been at work making experiments with a great scheme of water works and the result is the greatest formation of white silicated terraces in the world. Silica is the predominating mineral at Orakei-Korako. and all pools are silicabearing. with brilliant colourations. The pools situated on the terraces are of exceptional beauty and from them is derived the name of Orakei-Korako, meaning "place of adorning, for lien Ngati Tabu inhabited the area the Maori maidens made a practice of adorning themselves in the reflections of silica pools.

The scene over the river is really 'extraordinary, for, in addition to the manv steam'columns, there are features altogether peculiar to the locality. Exactly opposite is a remarkable formation of silicate deposit, so fragile and intricate in pattern that it Is hard to believe it to be the sole handiwork of Xature. Hanging down over the perpendicular bank, from a height of from 20 to 40 feet, and nearly' down to the water's edge, in festoons is a cluster of stalactites, about 30 yards in width, looking like a section of an immense fringe. These stalactites are in the «audie»t colours, dark reddish pink predominating. varied with copper green and isolated strr-«.«_» of white and bright orange yellow. Another of the outstanding features of the locality is a geyser situated within a ca"e. It is invisible from the

outside, but it plays every two or three minutes with great violence against the rocky walls and ceiling; then the boiiing water gushes out and runs down to the river. The water at Orakei-Korako is regarded as having medicinal value. It is pleasant to bathe in, leaving the skin with an ivory-like smoothness due to the silica deposits.

Over a long period the water has been allowed to escape in various directions, but stejis will be taken intelligently to control the streamlets so that new terraces will be formed.

Unlike the majority of thermal areas where sulphur and pumice tend to give drabness to the surroundings, OrakeiKorako is situated in very picturesque settings, high above the river and facing densely bush-clad mountains. The dominant tone of the valley is the framework of green and the relief provided by the river panoramas. In many places also the action of the continually rising steam an the cliff faces has been responsible for unusual colourations and the whole combines to make the area an artist's paradise.

Into the Alum Cave. Continuing the journey through the region it is necessary to climb a rather steep pathway to arrive at the alum cave, at the foot of which is a remarkably coloured green pool. To the left is another cave containing beautiful sulphur colourations. Where the pool is to-day there was previously another cave with an entrance through a narrow aperture. It is told that when the cavern was ■entered in the early days hundreds of bats were disturbed, but with tlie disappearance of the cave, which has been replaced by the pool. 7ione of these creatures is left. The pool owes its existence to the seepage of water from other surface pools. Reached by following a pathway through the abundant and luxuriant native ferns and bush. the alum cave is of remarkable beauty. At its mouth magnificent pungas and other ferns Hourish. stimulated by the gentle warmth emanating from the warm pools and the humidity of the cave. It is only after descending the path into the cave, however, that one realises the great dimensions of the cavity and its singular and inspiring beauty. The ceiling is composed of blocks of almost pure alum and, as it rises to great heights in the centre, it gives the whole caw* a cathedral-like effect—a cathedral built by Mother Nature.

Future of Orakei-Korako. Orakei-Korako will become an important attraction in the Rotorua district and soon ths wonders of the vallev will be seen by many. Visitors over the holiday period, however, will not be required to cross the river in the dugout paddled by the old Maori. A pontoon attached to cables will he erected and the barge will transport large parties across under its own power/ Pathways are to be formed so that it will be easv for visitors to walk over the vallev without fear of stepping on to unsafe ground. As a further advantage new virgin fishing waters will be made easily accessible. This fact will be appreciated by anglers and it is anticipated that numbers of fishermen will visit Orakei-Korako during the coming fishing season to pursue the sport in surroundings unequalled in their beautv and without parallel in their thermal features.