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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Scenery

Scenery.

The Wellington Provincial District furnishes a great variety of scenery. Tourists may choose between the ascent of the snowy glacial steeps of Mounts Ruapehu and Tongariro, which will each reward the enterprise by a view of the crater of an active volcano, and the more comfortable if less exciting drive over the Murimotu Plains to Pipiriki on the Wanganui River, passing through one of the grandest of virgin forests, which the axe of the bushman has not further desecrated than by clearing the track. The upper reaches of the Wanganui, above Pipiriki, afford scope for canoe excursions of the most exhiliarting description. The river runs through several gorges which are shut in by precipitous cliffs, and through these the river rushes in wild tumult. Skilful native oarsmen marvellously manipulate the tiny skiffs over these boiling rapids, and the daring tourist has time to breathe freely while passing over the quiet stretches of water which are found between. From Pipiriki to Wanganui the journey is accomplished by first-rate paddle steamers, from the decks of which the beauties of this fine river may be seen in perfect safety. In the more easily accessible parts of the district there are several notable drives, among which may be named the Manawatu Gorge and the Forty-mile Bush. The former was perhaps the more famous for its charming scenery, now, alas, marred by the construction of the railway line connecting the western and eastern parts of the island. page 209 Settlement in the Forty-mile Bush has been so rapid, and the axe of the woodman so destructive, that the natural forest scenery has largely been destroyed. Perhaps the finest drive now left is that through the Awarua Bush, between Ohingaiti and Moawhango. From the road which winds round densely wooded spurs, lovely peeps are obtainable of the Rangitikei River and the Blue Mountains beyond. At other points are shady dells with the dark green foliage of the native bush as a background, and the shapely fern palm by way of variety in the foreground. Splendid scenery may also be found without leaving the railway carriage, on the ascent and descent of the Rimutaka Range, which the traveller will not readily forget.