River Overnight 1

We begin our Waikato River Journey on Tuoro Island at Mercer (just off SH1) In the early 1900's Tuoro Island was the home of Caesar Roose, the pioneer riverboat man of the Waikato. We drift down the river past the cliffs at the end of Pioneer Road (named after the military gunboat Pioneer one of five armoured paddle steamers from the Land Wars of the 1860's when the river was the main access to the fertile lands of the central Waikato).

As we paddle quietly down the river away from the noise of the motorway it is easy to imagine what early journeys were like with todays stands of native bush while the hills have been cleared for farming.

After lunch we pass under Tuakau Bridge. Soon 18 km of easy paddling is over and our first night is spent in single and double tents (supplied) on Kaiwaka (no 2) Island, alongside an old duckshooters' hut (that we use for shelter and cooking in bad weather conditions.

After a hearty breakfast we paddle past the Elbow and head into the islands of the Waikato River Delta. The islands are home to many species of duck and shags (cormorants) plus native fantails, kingfishers, pukeko and the Austalasian bittern. These islands hide the dozens of duckshooters' maimais and whitebait stands that are inhabited by many keen locals during the open seasons. We will rest at a maimai for lunch.

There are a number of opportunities for photo stops throughout the trip - bring your camera (we can supply waterproof bags).

A short paddle after lunch brings us to Hoods Landing near the old Awaroa Stream that was the portage route to the southern Manukau Harbour and later the town of Waiuku. After two days and 33kms of gentle paddling our journey finishes with a short drive to Waiuku.

Those of you that are continuing on will be transported to SH1 at Bombay to catch your transport to Auckland, Hamilton or Rotorua *Those of you that are staying over will spend the night in Waiuku at the Kentish Hotel.

The Kentish was opened in 1853 by Edward Constable and holds the oldest continuous “Publicans Special Licence (No 47) for the sale of spirituous liquors” in New Zealand. Dinner and breakfast are available in house or at a number of nearby restaurants and cafes. *Approximate additional cost $50 to $80 . (accommodation and food)

StressFree Adventures shuttle to SH1 at Bombay the next morning to meet buses going North, South or to Coromandel leaves at about 8.30am.