Friday, 24 October 2025

Te Araroa 24/10/25

Day 30, Rangiriri to Huntly (752)

There was a shower of biblical proportions last night but it had blown over by morning and the day was bright and dry.

Rangiriri Hotel
A short day today as the next stage over the Hakarimata Walkway appears to have no camping spots and I decided that it would have been too far, for me, to get to Ngaruawhia tonight. Almost a rest day.
Morning sun over the river
Today's route just followed the flood bank on the west side of the river which made it an easy walk with a number of calves and some larger ones for company.
Company of youngsters 

And larger ones
I got to the nicely manicured grounds of the Huntly Golf Club and thought I would go to the clubhouse to see if they had a café.
Huntly Golf Course
I came across someone who looked like a general factotum, but from what he was saying I suspect he could have been the secretary or president.
A bit of road walking after the Golf Club
The bar/cafe was not open but he put the kettle on and made me a coffee and we had an interesting chat before I went on my way.
Huntly power station
The next landmark was Huntly power station. This was built to use the coal from the local coalmine, that is now closed, and it is now a natural gas powered standby for when the renewables can't cope.
Power station chimneys 
A very iconic building, particularly the chimneys.
Sculpture park 
Just past the power station is a sculpture park to commemorate the agreement made in 1995 compensating the locals for a land confiscation in 1860
The river at Huntly
Huntly campsite is good, the town somewhat less impressive.
Huntly campsite 

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