Jan 2019 Packraft Lake Taupo

Having just packrafted the Bridge to Nowhere thought I would post our other packraft trip, Lake Taupo. Previously I had tested packrafting with the fixie down Tamaki River to St Heliers foreshore and also on a previous Auckland Bikepacking trip, but this was the first decent run and the ride that initially got me thinking about a pack raft.

The ride itself is the Great Lake trail and normally you need a boat pick up but using a boat didn’t seem the same as doing it with your own steam hence I though a pack raft would be the go… and here we are.

Part 1 Kinloch to Kawakawa Bay ride 9.06km 195m

Strava

After a very early start I drove down from Auckland and met Peter at Kinloch. We loaded the bikes, grabbed a coffee and some food and headed off down the K2K. The track was fun and some great views but before we knew it we were at the bay unpacking the rafts.

Part 2 Waihora Bay raft @ 8km

Strava

This was the fun part…well new fun part. With the rafts loaded we pushed off and started paddling. You notice how big the lake is, well its big at any angle and could easily have been mistaken for thinking I was back in the harbour, albeit nice to not have salt water. We averaged 4 km an hour and explored some of the bays before arriving at Waihora bay where we had some lunch as we reloaded the bikes

Part 3 Kinloch ride 67.15km 1,241m

Strava

Once the bikes were loaded it was then a nice climb up multiple switchbacks as we hugged the waterfall, a perfect start to the 30km of single tracks to Waihaha River carpark.

The ride was magic and worth a trip back one day. Great views at the cliff tops as we hugged the coast and then headed inland with a stop to check out another waterfall, although at a distance. There was also a swing bridge crossing which is mandatory for any good New Zealand track and then the carpark or in case bitumen.

By this time, I was wrecked but we still had 37km of undulating sealed road to get back to the cars. Was glad to stop at the pub on the way for some food and an ice bock before pushing onto Kinloch.

All up first decent attempt at bike rafting was a success, just a pity I had a long drive back to Auckland. Slept well when I finally got home.