Newspaper Article 2007 – There’s light at the end of the tunnel

There’s light at the end of the tunnel

MARIA PRIESTLEY

When Clive Boyden used to drive through the Manawatu Gorge and look across to its winding tunnels and bush-clad hills, his thoughts were always the same – how “amazing” it would be to walk through there.

Now Mr Boyden, project organiser for the Woodville Lions club, and thousands of others have walked the gorge track since he had those thoughts many years ago.

The club started the annual Woodville Lions Club Manawatu Gorge track and tunnel walk in 2004 as a way to raise money for local charities and to celebrate “this beautiful part of our country,” he said.

Now, with 1200 people walking the track on April 15, Mr Boyden’s pretty glad he decided to act on his thoughts 13 years ago.

“My wife and I are into a bit of walking and, when I drove through the gorge, I always used to think I’d love to walk through there, that it would be amazing to do. And then I thought if I think that, how many other people would think that too,” he said.

“The first year we tried it with 400 tickets and they all just went woosh! They got snapped up straight away. We knew we were onto something then.”

And they haven’t looked back. The walk draws people mainly from Hawke’s Bay to Wellington, but also attracts people from elsewhere in the North Island and even overseas tourists.

The 8km walk takes 1½ – 2½ hours and negotiates 13 bridges and two tunnels.

“It’s a very unique opportunity. As far as I know it’s the only walk in New Zealand where they physically close down the railway line,” he said.

“Ontrack has to do quite a bit of work in preparation to close the line down for six hours, so we’re really lucky and grateful to them.

“The tunnels are great fun, you’re walking over all these bridges and looking down into the water and it’s all spectacular scenery.”

The tunnels are usually the highlights – the largest is 600 metres, with a bend in the middle so you can’t see the end.

“It’s extremely dark and a bit spooky at first. People find it really exciting – and all the way the walkers make train noises. It’s a lot of fun.”

Moderate fitness and sturdy footwear (preferably boots) are essential as is a strong torch and wet weather gear.

The marshalling area is the Ashhurst Domain at the western end of the Gorge, where walkers are bused to the lime works at the Woodville end where the walk begins. At the finale of the walk in the Ashhurst Domain, a barbecue and drinks are available in the carpark.

Proceeds from the walk will go towards Cancer Care and other community projects.

“At the end of the day when people come through and you can just see the look on their faces – they’ve had a great time and we make some money for charity. It’s a win-win situation.”

In case of rain the event will go ahead but if high wind persists it will be postponed until the following Sunday.

Tickets are $16 with no gate sales available. Tickets available from i-Sites in Dannevirke and Hastings and the Waipawa Bus Co. For distance bookings contact Tararua i-Site, Woodville 0800 827 278, or email info@tararuacom

Photo caption –

ON TRACK: Woodville Manawatu Gorge track and tunnel walk organiser Clive Boyden gives us a peek at one of the two tunnels which peope will walk through on April 15.
HBTODAY PICTURE: STEVEN MCNICHOLL