Last year we spent Christmas in Tongariro National Park. This year we did our fourth Great Walk at Lake Waikaremoana. Only managed to book the hut and campsites 3-4 days in advance and the earliest we could start was on Christmas Day. Set off on the first day at 9.45am. It was quite a tough climb up with heavy packs.


D1 Onepoto to Panekire Hut


We have to climb up there? Gulps.


Still in good spirits - so far so good.


Slightly after an hour of ascent we came to amazing views of the peaceful lake


Merry Christmas at Panekire Bluff!


View of Lake Waikaremoana from Panekire




The German boys were skyping their family to wish them a Merry Christmas


Reached Panekire Hut at 3.15pm, took us 5.5 hours. Huts usually have gas and toilet paper but this one didn't have.


Everyone went into this lie flat position upon reaching the hut.


I thought no camping allowed at this hut?!


German boys carried a big tray of meat, a whole red capsicum, a whole onion, a full bottle of cooking oil, big pot and pan all the way up here to cook a Christmas feast!


Chose the wrong beds got toilet smell. Going to bed at 6.30pm with sore back.


Didn't sleep well due to noise. Chinese couple beside me kept fidgeting at night and went off before sunrise. Started day two at around 8am. Descent was not as steep as depicted on plan, mainly passing through the forest. We were early this time, taking 2 hours 45 mins to get to the next campsite.


Camo scarf draped by me, nice?


D2 Panekire Hut to Waiopaoa campsite


Native ferns and flowers


Stretching while taking a break

Everyone came prepared with swim wear except us. We still went into the lake in our undies anyway because we hadn't shower for a few days and needed a wash. It was quite refreshing after a dip and shit out.


Lazed around for a couple of hours listening to music, massaging each others limbs, lying down watching the clouds move and swatting flies while waiting for wet clothes to dry.


The noise continues with people talking loudly around a campfire near our tent at night. He wasn't putting up with it; popped his head out and told the group we were trying to sleep. Itchiness from sandfly bites disrupted my sleep further. We were one of the last few to leave Waiopaoa on the third day at 9.15am.


I was about to drop my pack at the Korokoro Falls sign when the China gal appeared and vaguely said we could go in further and drop our packs inside. I didn't want to heed her advice because we would be coming back to the same point anyway. He chided me for it and I was quite mad because we still came back to the sign anyway.


1 hour return side trip to Korokoro Falls


Korokoro Falls


D3 Waiopaoa campsite to Maraunui campsite


Maraunui campsite with cooking shelter


Herbal tea and cookies


Pleasantly surprised to find Maraunui campsite has access to the lake. A boat was docked there and had a chat with the couple for awhile. Nancy gave us each a cup of hot tea and avocado sandwiches. We were starving and thankful for the treat.


Put up the tent and went for a wash in the lake again. We didn't really see anyone else around and enjoyed having the lake to ourselves. Washed clothes and left them on the tent fly to dry. Played with my light stick and turned in at 8pm.


D4 Maranui campsite to Hopuruahine Landing was mainly flat but very long (17km) and not much to see on the last day.


Must have lost the Canon lens cover when he slipped and fell.



Grumpy ending to this Great Walk due to my leaky shoes on several very muddy sections towards the end which slowed me down tremendously (again). Reached water taxi point at 1.45pm just in time for the 2pm boat! I tried my best to enjoy the final 15 mins boat ride at the end. It was really amazing looking at the amount of distance we've covered these 3.5 days.


Hopuruahine Landing



Braced the cold shower at Big Bush. Feet were sore and red from scratching sandfly bites. Nongshim ramen with luncheon meat and egg were daebak after going hungry for a few consecutive days.



Poor sleep, fatigue and hungriness led to more grumpiness and eruptions. He wasn't feeling well and went into the tent earlier. I cooked my first pot of water with the gas burner and was ashamed I only started this late and guilty for being over reliant on him.


Sunset at Big Bush Holiday Park