29th July 2018 – Another Spontaneous spur of the moment Short day trip back to Kaimai Ranges. This time to visit Bluff Stream Kauri Loop Track, another track soon to be closed.

From Franklin Road Car park, Track follows a sealed road for a short distance before entering into Farmland. Once leaving Farmland, there is a junction:  The main route follows the Waitawheta Tramline Track, while the Bluff Stream Kauri Grove track is to the left.

Track crosses Waitawheta river which at normal level is about Knee to thigh deep.

After crossing the river, the Trail ascends a short distance through a grove of Kauri Trees, before briefly descending and ascending again to reaches a tee junction with an unnamed track. At the junction: To the left, the track goes towards Aranui falls. To the the Right, the Bluff Stream Kauri Loop continues. We turned left and after a short distance, saw two very large Kauri Trees.

The descent continues downwards, in parts quite steeply, back down to Waitawheta river. At that point, the rain set in and the river flow was noticeably picking up. We then walked back to Franklin Road carpark following Waitawheta Tram Line.

Allow 3 Hours round trip to and from Franklin Road Carpark.