BEAUTIES OF ROTORUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19231, 21 January 1926, Page 11

BEAUTIES OF ROTORUA.

THE NEW ROUND TRIP. AN EVER-CHANGING SCENE. BUSH LAND AND THE LAKES. Tho new round trip, which embraces the Lakes Rotokawa, Rotoiti, Okataina, Tarawera and Green and Blue Lakes, has come to stay, says the Rotorua Chronicle. The wonder of it is that it has not been exploited before. Tho outward journey follows the beaten track to Tikitere, where an opportunity is given to see the weird wonders of a thermal area. Leaving Tikitere a run of less than a mile brings the voyager to the beautiful crater lake of Rotokawa, set in virgin bush, its steep sides c-.lothed in fern, through which bold precipitous rocks thrust their faces. This road demands the exercise of skill and caution. Retracing our steps the familiar Whakatane Road is reached. The journey is over wellknown ground and covers magnificent views of Rotoiti. Half-way down this lake a sharp turn to the right is taken and for six miles tfr\ car passe, l ; through 1 bush which is a dream of loveliness. Deep gullies below and high precipitous bush and fern-clad hills above hem in the narrow track, which is much better going than the main road. Magnificent trees are in the pockets in the hills and little lakelets in the hollows. The clear note of the tui rings out of the bush-clad slopes. Winding in and out on a devious track, every moment brings a change of colour and contour. A Tunnel of Verdure. Lifting over a narrow saddle, the car slides downward into a tunnel of verdure. For over a mile the road runs through an arch of trees and ferns, completely shutting out the sun and sky. Tho undergrowth is delightful, the smell of the moist, cool earth an inspiration. The flickering shadows of the covering leafage make a kaleidoscopic fairyland. It is quite permissible to think that fairies do exist in these perfect environments —they could not help but come there. This bush journey has no equal in this district, and the only comparable one is that over the Motu. With startling suddenness Lake Okataina comes into view, a dream of blue, flecked by white-capped wavelets roused by the unsleeping wind. Here numbers of trippers have gathered and under a canvas shelter is dispensed very acceptable cups of tea. Luncheon baskets arc brought out and under tho cool overhang of fern a meal is made under delightful scenic conditions. The launch is fast. The shore of Okataina is very restricted owing to the rise of the lake. The old beach is eight feet under water, and tho water over almost the entire shore line beats upon precipitous .cliffs. Through the bush area tho red blossoms of the beautiful rata light up the forest trees, but on the shores of tho lake the pohutukawas- aro ablaze with bloom. An Old Burial Cave.. The journey round this lake is full of interest. Leaving the. landing, is an old burial ground on the east side of a beautifully picturesque peninsula. A mile onward brings us to an old burial cave where the fall of a big rock discloses the bones of the Maoris who at, that time made the lake shore populous. High against it, on the opposite side of the lake, is an old Maori pa, like all the ancient home sites of this splendid race, chosen with a view to maintenance and defence. Deep-indented bays, rich in colouring and hemmed in by steep bush-clad hills, run in from the main waters o:i the lake. Here and there a vertical gash in the foliage shows where the rains have brought down an overhang, which has swept a track to the water's edge. Ducks shelter under the cool overhanging rocks and fly as the launch approaches. The whole aspect of the lake, its shores and high, frowning, dark green slopes, is beautiful, primeval and inspiring. It is with regret that we reach the landing, or what was the landing, but is now submerged by two feet of water. The launch is skilfully manoeuvred to the steep bank, the passengers disembark and prepare to take the track that leads to Lake Tarawera.