The Valley View side tracks
Looking for a simple, shady stroll? The lower Valley View Track is a great place to get away from it all.
The canopy of exotic pines and macrocarpa mean the Valley View Track is always relatively dry, sheltered and shady – great for a springtime walk. Improvement works over winter have levelled many of the ruts and improved drainage. Well-placed picnic tables and seats offer panoramic views across the lower lake and numerous side tracks offer a wide variety of interesting loop walks.
While birdlife and plantlife are not as diverse as in some areas due to the dominance of exotic pine trees, native plants have been quick to re-colonise. Keep an eye out for epiphytic ferns and lianas growing in the pine boughs; native iris (mikoikoi) and hound’s tongue ferns (kowaowao) on the track sides; mahoe, five-finger and lacebark in the understorey and emergent species like rewarewa, titoki and kohekohe. Animals often seen along this track include kaka, whitehead, weka, robin, fantail, kingfisher and tuatara.
Here are three short walks around the northern end of the track. All walks start and finish at the Visitor Centre. Walking times are approximate.
Morning Star Mine loop
Walking time: 35-45 minutes. Grade: Walking-grade tracks
Take the first left past the Operations Yard. After a relatively steep ascent, the track is easy-going as it skirts the eastern slope. Seats and a picnic table at the second bend offer a welcome breather and fantastic views across the lake. Keep an eye out for New Zealand’s largest native iris (mikioikoi) and the hound’s tongue fern (kowaowao). The latter is one of the few ferns that tolerate the dry conditions of pine forest. You are now in the heart of weka territory and, if you’re lucky, you might see one of these shy, flightless birds. (If you see one, we'd like to hear about it. Make a note of where you saw it; what it was doing; and any leg bands. Tell the Visitor Centre staff on your way out).
The first turning on the right will take you back down to Lake Road via the historic Morning Star Mine. On weekends and holidays the mine gate is open 11-1pm and 2-4pm and a ranger guide will provide you with a torch and hardhat so you can explore the full length. At all other times you can explore the first few metres unsupervised. Turn right along Lake Road to return to the Visitor Centre.
Union Mine loop
Walking time: 45-50 minutes. Grade: Walking and tramping-grade tracks
Instead of descending via the Morning Star Track, continue along the Valley View. Just past the weka fence, keep an eye out for the extraordinary range of epiphytic ferns and lianas growing in the pine boughs, especially downhill from the track. Take the next track on your right - the Union Mine track. On your left is the disused Union Mine (no access). This track is home to a number of tuatara – keep an eye out for them basking on the track sides. At the bottom of this steep track, Tui Terrace is a great place to take a break. Kaka often congregate around the feeding station, and at other times they can be seen circling overhead. This is a great place for spotting tui and hihi. Follow the tuatara research area fence back towards the Visitor Centre, taking a look at the whiteboard for recent tuatara sightings.
Suspension Bridge loop
Walking time: Approximately 90 minutes. Grade: Walking and tramping-grade tracks
The third track on your right was cut earlier this year (2009) and zig-zags steeply down. Keep an eye out for the comical Californian quails, which frequent this area in large family groups. Turn left towards the suspension bridge. Kaka often use the pine trees as singing posts and whiteheads are frequently heard and seen. Keep an eye out for the small, round holes in exposed clay banks - they are made by the sacred kingfisher (kotare). At the base of the Beech Track you can either turn left to link up with the Te Mahanga boardwalk and return via the Wetlands or right along Lake Road.
Click here to download an A4 printable version of this Trail Guide and map.