Autumn Farm sits flat on the open pastures of the Takaka Valley, nestled between two of New Zealand's best national parks. Both the Abel Tasman Park and the Kahurangi Park are easily accessible from the farm. The hiking is spectacular with golden beaches, native woodland and spectacular mountainous wilderness scenery.
These last few days I have been exploring one of the easier routes through the Abel Tasman - The Rameka Track through to Bird's Clearing.
After a leisurely breakfast I packed my hiking kit and set off from the farm on foot. Along the Central Takaka Road, across a narrow concrete bridge, the route turns south east to the Rameka Track Road. An easy stroll along quiet country lanes toughens up as the road leans towards the Rameka Creek and starts to climb.
Tarmac gives way to gravel, gravel to a footpath. The steep climb affords fabulous views across the Takaka Valley to the mountains of the Kahurangi to the west. The last few houses disappear from view and the track plunges into the magestic forests of the Abel Tasman Park at around 700 meters altitude. Quite a climb !
Through the woods, the tracks switches back and forth, dodging gullies and crossing creeks. Leveling off into clearfelled land at Page's Saddle, the greying carcasses of long dead trees stand like uncomfortable ornate furniture for the grazing sheep.
At Wainui Saddle, the track turns north, following the western bank of the upper reaches of the beautiful Wainui River. 2 kilometres of woodland lead directly to the bright red Wainui Hut, where I spent an evening in front of a log fire.
After a good night's rest, I set out north from the hut. The sun scarcely penetrates the thick forest canopy, with mosses, lichens and ferns dominating the forest floor.
At the highest point of the day, a fabulous view of the Abel Tasman Park and Wainui Bay opens up to the north east. The forest gives way to sheep grazing at Bird's Clearing; farms come into view. The track takes a sharp turn to the west through a gate. The footpath gives way to a gravel track; the track to a paved road, as the route decends sharply down Bird Road, back down to the valley floor.
