Ruapani Tarns
Introduction
Sundews at Lake Ruapani, Ruapani Tarns
A stunning complex of seven unmodified high-altitude mires and bogs close to the pristine Lake Waikareiti in Te Urewera National Park.
Local past geological events have created a landscape of humps and hollows in which the Ruapani Tarns sit.
Each wetland is different from the others and include open water, sedgelands, sphagnum moss and wire-rush-dominated bogs, herbfields and shrublands. Most are ephemeral with constantly fluctuating water levels.
Scaups/pāpango, grey ducks/pārera, Australian coots and little black shags may be seen.
Features
High altitude pristine wetlands in a tall beech forest setting.
Location
Located close to Lake Waikareiti in Te Urewera National Park.
Getting there
Waikareiti Track begins 200 m from the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre, Lake Waikaremoana, on State Highway 38.
Activities
Bird and wildlife watching
Bird and wildlife watching
A great place to see wetland birds such as scaups/pāpango, grey ducks/pārera, Australian coots and little black shags.
Tracks and walks
Ruapani Circuit is a tramping track taking about 6 hr and can be traversed in either direction.
It is accessed from the Waikareiti Track, which follows in part the shoreline of Lake Waikareiti.
Plan and prepare
Other places to visit
- Kaipo Lagoon - a wire rush/sphagnum moss bog, 2-3 hr walk from Ruapani Tarns on the Manuoha Track.
- Arohaki Lagoon - a 3-4 hr return walk to an ephemeral lagoon surrounded by towering kahikatea forest.