|
Aratiatia
Rapids
Pictures
of Aratiatia Rapids
Great
Adventure Ideas
Taupo Highlights
What's
to do in Taupo
Rotorua
Highlights
Adventure in Rotorua
Photos of Rotorua
Adventure
Photos of Rotorua
Sightseeing,
Tours, Attractions and Events in Rotorua
Hotels
and Accommodation in Rotorua
By
Richard Moore
 If
you are in the Taupo area around 10am, noon
or 2pm you can get to see a truly wondrous spectacle at Aratiatia,
about 10km north of the town.
It
is the escaping rush of ten of millions of litres of water that
are released from the Aratiatia Dam and force their way through
the narrow gorge below.
Authorities
open the spill gates from the mighty Waikato River and as it drops
quickly down the one jiolometre stretch of gorge it is used to provide
hydro-electric power.
The
best way to appreciate the spectacle is to get there early, find
a vantage spot and await a really amazing experience as the waters
rush out at up to 90,000 litres a second.
 There
are plenty good spots available - both high up and nearer the waters
- and if you have plenty of time then it may even be worth taking
along a picnic lunch.
Either
before or after the spill you can venture along a two-hour hiking
trail between the rapids and the Huka
Falls. It is alos excellent for mountainbiking.
In
summer there is also a spill at 4pm.
The
Aratiatia Rapids are a superb - and free - exhibition of nature's
raw power.
|
