t138

Manawatu Gorge Track, Palmerston North 

features of elegant track, very rare ferns, magnificent geographical structure, and impressed wind turbins landscape

 

Gorge Track entrance - a lot of information at the entrance

 

 

an elegant track

 

 

well-formed metal track follows a steady gradient

 

 

dense forest along the track

 

 

What makes this piece of forest so unusual is the predominance of the giant maidenhair fern

 

 

This fern is found only in the Manawatu in New Zealand

 

 

Nikau palms are in abundance giving a tropical touch to the track

 

 

The Gorge itself is unique, as it is the only place in New Zealand where a river begins its journey on the opposite side of mountain - the river crosses a mountain range

 

 

the various viewpoints along the track are impressive
Windy Lookout

 

 

beautiful view

 

 

再見風車 更增添這條步道的特色

 

 

Windmill Lookout

 

 

塔斯曼海 暢通無阻的強勁海風 經過有如漏斗的Manawatu峽谷 適合發展風力發電
今天天氣比較晴朗 較Wellington地區的風車 更加清晰

 

 

這裏有55具風車 可供應45,000戶用電

 

 

近距離接觸風車 高達70公尺

 

 

Sentinel Lookout

 

 

有很好的觀景台

 

 

wind turbine viewing from the walking track

 

 

Te Apiti Lookout

 

 

returning thru Manawatu Gorge Loop Track
beautiful native bush

 

 

Totara Reserve
features of the ancient totara and matai

 

 

大樹成列

 

 

mighty totara
600-800歲樹齡的大樹 高達40公尺 周長達7公尺

 

 

Totara在森林裏具舉足輕重的地位

Larger totara trees are ofter hollow,providing the perfect nest site for some birds...
Totara fruit is an important part for some birds, such as bellbird, tui, etc.
Totara the protector - shelters smaller plants and trees
Totara timber has been used for everything from building materials, fesnce posts, and even Maori's carving, and canoe-building...