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GREAT
BARRIER
ISLAND
is one of New Zealand's largest offshore islands north
of the Coromandel Peninsula in the Hauraki Gulf. A two hour
boat ride from Auckland, or a quick plane ride, it has beautiful
beaches, swimming, boating and great fishing..
- but its main attraction for me is the Forest Reserve in
the centre of the island.
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A
RUGGED LANDSCAPE
with rocky bluffs rising steeply from the sea,
the interior forest is an excellent place for tramping, with
tracks winding through mixed hardwood and Kauri forest, hot
pools, dramatic landforms and interesting driving dams dating
from the old kauri loggers.
I walked over the forest park, which contains the last remnants
of the original forest that once cloaked the island, breathed
in the sea air, took a number of photos, and took in the sights.
And what sights there are. The forest and topography is interesting
and varied, and from the tops you can see for miles.
I enjoy walking in forest, up steep hills and down gullies in
rough scenic country.. the Barrier has it in spades,
all compacted into a small area in which you can linger for
days, or like me, cover it in one
day...
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