Light at the end of the tunnel....

Today turned into a lovely sunny day, so after lunch we got in the car and headed to Kawatiri Junction, where we walked a lovely loop walk through an old railway tunnel and along a walking track through native bush. I took this picture half way into the tunnel, looking back from where we started the walk.

Work on this railway line began in 1920. This tunnel of 185m long was cut, two bridges were built across the Hope River and the 6km railway line extension opened on the 21st June 1926. However, due to the rapid development of road freight and passenger transport, services to the railway were reduced and eventually stopped, and the station was closed on the 12th July 1931.

After we left Kawatiri Junction we travelled to Glenhope, and turned of at the Dry Weather Road, and went inland to Tapawera. I had never been through this part of the Country, so was interesting to see the different farm and forestry land along this valley.

We eventually came out at Tapawera, and on our way home stopped at the recently opened Kohatu Flat Rock Cafè and had afternoon tea. We then ventured home along the State Highway.