Wanganui to the Motorist

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18900, 22 December 1923, Page 17 (Supplement)

Wanganui to the Motorist

A District of Pretty Drivel (By D. G. STRACHAN. Secretary 'Wanganui Automobile Association.) Wanganui district offers much to the touring motorist. Roads for the most part, though hilly, are good, with metalled surfaces in practically every direction. No matter which way the motorist cares to travel, he may traverse miles upon miles of good winding roads, running for the most part through fertile cultivated lands, or through some of the Dominion’s best pastoral regions. Scenery that is typical of New Zealand’s best, may bo glimpsed everywhere. Rivers, patches of native bush, prosperous farm lands dotted with beautiful homesteads, glimpses of the western shore, all combine in the making of a picture that cannot help but appeal to the motorist in holiday mood. To realise the enchantment of various motor trips about Wanganui, one must actually travel the roads. A pen is a poor medium when a th to pourtray the wonders which are \isilde about New Zealand’s river town. THE PARAPARA. To the motorist, as almost to everybody, there is something fascinating about exploring regions unknown; thus, when a new road is opened up for traffic, first one motorist, then another drifts through—marvelling. To Wanganui motorists, the Parapara Road, which links the sea to the hinterland, is at the moment something of an unknown region—something that has been there all the while, ami yet has passed unnoticed. It has had little significance up to now. so far as the ordinary motorist is concerned; but to-day it looms ahead, a gradually forming link inthe Dominion’s future —a connecting link between the northern and southern portions of the North Island. With the passing of the years, it will come more and more into prominence. and will rise from its past status of merely a road leading into some remote back-

block settlement, to become a national highway, carrying the traffic of three cities and their surrounding districts—Wanganui, Auckland and Wellington. Leaving Wanganui by the town bridge, the motorist turning to the loft, follows the river bank to the settlement of Upokongaro, a distance of 7 miles. A few chains past lhe Upokongaro hotel the road leaves the river, and starts its journey inland. The surface in this region is fairly good, the road passing through some of the best farming land in the Dominion. The climb is shortly commence.l over the Aberfeldie Hill, the top of which is roughly 17 miles from Wanganui. On the far side the Mangawhero Stream is sighted and the scenery in this, particular region is magnificent. The road commences to wind in and out round a number of particularly sharp bends and from a hill a magnificent view of the Mangawhero Falls may be obtained. It is well worth while for any motorist making the trip to pause a few moments and view the splendid forty feet fall, which thunders amid clouds of whirling spray. Leaving the Falls, it is not long before the motorist reaches the worst portion of the road. In fine weather the unmetalled surface is passable, although it is particularly rough. In the winter months this section of the road from a motoring point of view, is impossible. However, metalling work has already been commenced, and it is expected that in a very short space of time, both in winter anil in summer, the whole distance will be easily traversed and Wanganui will be but three hours’ distant from Eaetih.i. Distances. —Wanganui to Upokongaro. 7 miles; Pa rah u Junction, .14 miles; Aberfeldie (top), 17 miles; Otako, 29 miles; Kakatahi. 33 miles; Kakatahi Junction. 37 miles.; Ore Ore, 49 miles; Eaetihi, G 1 miles. TO MOUNT EGMONT (Dawson Falls Side) No motorist who includes the Wanganui district in his itinerary, should miss the pleasant drive along the west coast to Mount Lgrnont, the monarch of Taranaki. The trip for the most part is an easy one, the only part which calls for exceptional care being the up-grade on the mountain itself, and even that is nothing out of the ordinary. Leaving Wanganui at the top nf the Avenue, the motorist ascends St. John’s Hill.

Looking hack for a moment when at the top, he may glimpse a splendid view' of the river town, a rapidly rising commercial centre in the Dominion. From the top of St. John s the road is covered by a tarred surface which makes travelling exceedingly pleasant. At the top of the Goat Valley Hill, roughly six miles out, the road breaks into the shell rock area, and continues through more or less hilly country, passing in <urn the townships ot Kai Iwi, Maxwelltown, and Waitotara. From the top of the far Waitotara hill the road continues on a level run past Moumahaki to Waverley, twenty-nine miles distant from Wanganui. Practically the whole way the sea may be kept in view on the left. Leaving Waverley the trip follows an undulating road to Patea, and continues through the main street to a stretch through the M’anutahi Gorge. Some fairly steep grades mark this area, and some sharp bends, which want watching, have to be negotiated before reaching the town of Hawera. Crossing the railway, the trip skirts the town by continuing over what Hawera folk term the south road, which leads to Manaia. A 101 l gate is passed before Manaia is reached. At Manaia the motorist turns to the right and heads for Kaponga over a tarred surface road, which is a splendid example of Tara naki’s best. At Kaponga the journey crosses the Fltham road, and bends away towards the left, and at Rowan crosses the StratfordOpunakc road, and continues up the mountain to the Dawson Kails. Distances.—Wanganui to Hawera. 58 miles; Manaia, 68 miles; Kaponga, 74 miles; Accommodation House, SI miles. SHORT RUNS Besides numerous trips along lhe more or less main roads of the Wanganui district, the motorist can en joy some splendid short country runs, which are noted for their scenic attractions. Notable among these are the valley roads of the OKoia district, the Long Acre, the Kaukatea, and the Waikuyi. Ail three of these roads are blind, but nevertheless, their surfaces are in splendid condition, and they travel through some of the most glorious bush country in the Dominion. Passing a little further up the river mention must be made of the Makirikiri valley, which leaves the main road to Upokongaro just before the bridge of that name is reached. This is another blind road, which winds in and out

amid prctlv country bordering the Makirikiri stream. A trip to Kaiwhaike pah, which is reached by following the river bank road on past Upokongaro, is also well worth while. The surface at th<* far end of this road is unmetalled however, and is not tuo good in the wet seasons. Another pretty trip well worthy of mention i•. that from Wanganui io Mangamahu. The ,’uirney commences with the climbing ot Durii Hill, and continues over the level No. 2 Line to Fordell. From there on it folows out to the, Wangaehu valley, and bends in and out along the banks of the Wangaehu river. Kventually at Ngaturi the Alangawf oro stream is crossed and the road, with a id .-tailed surface continues on to ’Mangamahu township, which is lIU miles distant from Wanganui. Nearer the sea too, some pleasant runs may he. taken. The trip to Kai Iwi beach is one .f a number. The road passes over St.John’s dill at the top of the Avenue, and about three and a-half miles out it turns to the lett at- what is known as Cutfield’s corner, and runs past the Westmere lake, over a shell rock surface to Rapanui, a prosperous dairying centre. From there it continues down a short, steep grade, and rising a few chains on the far side, runs directly to the sea shore. Kai Iwi beach is one of the safest bathing beaches in Now Zealand, and the fact that grass lands conn* practically right down to the shore, make the locality doubly attractive from a picnicing point of view. A pleasant change in the route on the homeward journey may be made by bearing to the right at the Westmere school, and travelling back to town via Mosston and Springvale. If time permits it is also well worth while to bear out to the right and visit Jastlecliff. There are numerous other trips which could be mentioned in detail but for the fact, that space is limited. It is the intention of the Wanganui Automobile Association to publish at a later date a complete list of the roads in the Wanganui district, with detailed descriptions, in the hope that motorists who have hitherto not availed themselves of privileges of making tour locally, will do so in the future. The Association extends its best wishes to everyone for a Merry Christmas and a Bright and Happy New Year.