WAIRERE FALLS HIKE 

Approximately 3.5 – 4 hours walk, 1.5 hours return travel.  A good level of fitness is required.  

There are some steep stairs, narrow passages and technical tracks.  It can be wet and slippery under foot if it has been raining.

Wairere Falls is a fabulous natural asset in the Bay of Plenty offering stunning views out over the Waikato plains.  It is a steady climb up the base of the cliff where sets of steps lead to the top of the gorge. The hike to the viewing platform at the base of the Wairere falls takes about an hour and a half. It's a nice walk along a well-maintained track through native bush. Several bridges cross the stream with nice views of the stream and occasionally the falls.

The track climbs further with plenty of steps and staircases in the steep section. At the top of the hill the track winds through a rich mosaic of forest species with tawa. The track then branches to the falls lookout. It is well worth the effort to get to the top of the waterfall with fantastic views of the Waikato region.   The view of the falls at the platform is spectacular – water plunges 153 metres over the steep escarpment, which is part of the Okauia fault.  The falls are the highest water fall on the North Island.

Over the summer there are plenty of pools to paddle in and the track can be explored further upriver.  Return via the same track. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/bay-of-plenty/places/kaimai-mamaku-conservation-park/things-to-do/tracks/wairere-falls-track/ 

Cost: $40 including transportation, lunch, and snacks

You will need to bring a backpack to carry lunch and your own water, appropriate footwear, sunblock, hat, swim suit and towel if you’d like to swim and a warm jacket for inclement weather.

DAME SUSAN DEVOY AND SWEETPEA FLOWER SCHOOL

 DAME SUSAN DEVOY – Presentation with Q&A

"I have had an interesting life to say the least. These days when I am asked to speak, I wonder how to share the wonderful opportunities I have had.

 At the end of the day I am still like any other woman with a family, a husband (four sons in fact) so that’s a story in itself. I have reinvented myself so many times, but I talk about the ups and downs and importantly finding things to do in life that really give you meaning and purpose which is easy to say but much harder at times to achieve. Looking forward to meeting you all". 

10:30am              Meet in Upstairs room at Mount Surf Club

10:35am              Presentation and Q&A session with Susan Devoy

12:00pm              Head to Nourish Café

12:30pm              Lunch at Nourish and wander through Heaven Clothing store (own expense)

1:45pm                Head to SweatPea and Jasmine

SWEETPEA AND JASMINE – Flower School 

Come to SweetPea & Jasmine flower studio in the country just outside Tauranga to create a bespoke bouquet using locally grown flowers from my flower farm. You will learn technique to create a stunning hand tied bouquet to take home and enjoy!  I Look forward to seeing you in March - Shontelle.

From the website:  Your teacher, Shontelle has vast experience both locally and internationally, with stints in Melbourne, and London working for five years for Jane Packer at her Selfridges branch on Oxford Street.  She often worked with high profile clients, helped with contract teams installing flowers, worked on movie sets, photo shoots, taught at her flower school and many more large-scale events. In 2011 Shontelle helped create the victory bouquets for the medal winners at the London Olympics, this was a major highlight of her career.

SweetPea and Jasmine website:  www.sweetpeaandjasmine.com

2:00pm              Bouquet making lesson with Shontelle

4:00pm              Depart back to the Mount Surf Club

Cost: $75, includes talk with Dame Susan, transportation and bouquet making

NB:  Lunch at Nourish is at your own expense.