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Mount Taranaki reflection

I had been seeing photographs from this tarn for many years and really wanting to go there myself. It is one of the most well known views of Mount Taranaki. The stillness of the water makes the reflection of the mountain so clear. Pouakai Circuit Reflective Tarn is not, as I had hoped, a short stroll off the highway. On the map, it looks like an easy enough day hike of 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) there and then the same back. It is uphill, all the way with around 700 metres (2,297 feet) of aviation gain. This took a 2-3 hours each way but well worth it for this photograph. About 15 minutes before the tarn is Pouakai Hut. A Backcountry Hut with 16 bunk beds, cold running water and a containment tank toilet. This could be an option for people wanting to photograph this view at dawn, dusk or even at night under the stars. Which is my plan for my next hike up to the Pouakai Reflective Tarn.

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Mount Taranaki Summit Track

Mount Taranaki Summit Track

Having been to the Taranaki region of New Zealand a number of times I had always wanted to climb it. This is the largest mountain I have ever walked up. We had to start at 7am as it Mount Taranaki is 2518 metres above sea level. There was very low cloud when starting out and we couldn’t see the summit but we hoped it would clear up and as you can see it did. I’ve shared a photo from the main road which shows the iconic shape with snow at the top, which you can’t see in this photo.

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Mount Taranaki

Mount Taranaki, New Zealand

Also known as Mount Egmont, Mount Taranaki is an active volcano in the Taranaki region of New Zealand’s North Island. The good news is the last eruption was in 1854. The volcano stands at 2518 metres and is one of the most symmetrical cones in the world. It has been said to resemble Mount Fiji in Japan and has been used in movies as a backdrop for Mount Fiji including a movie called The Last Samurai.

This photograph was taken just a couple of kilometres north of Midhirst on state highway 3 between Hawera and New Plymouth. On the other side of the mountain is the Tasmin sea, though I have driven along state highway 3 many times and at different times of the day and night, I have yet to drive the coastal road along the west side of Mount Taranaki. Egmont National Park has a number of ski fields and alpine tracks. It is possible to climb to the volcanic crater.

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Moorea’s Two Bays

Moorea's Two Bays

The Belvedere lookout has a reputation as one of the best views of the Moorea. It’s almost in the centre of this island, which is only ten miles across. From here we can see north towards Mount Rotui in the centre of the photograph. It is 900 metres or 2950 feet high and not the highest peak on the island but in my opinion the most spectacular. To the left is Ōpūnohu Bay and on the right of the mountain is Cook’s Bay.