According to the independent report prepared by Toe Paw Council appointed consultants about eight years ago, any future prosperity of Turangi relies on the development of new bike trails. They were adamant that a Turangi-to-Taupo bike trail was the key to any future prosperity. Otherwise, they warned, the town would continue to deteriorate… So what has Council done about it? Nothing!
Out of concern for our own survival, TRM investigated a different methodology to assess the most popular tourists in Turangi. (These are illustrated in the brief video produced about 8 years ago below) TRM should know, having survived here for over 65 years, catering for a wide range of tourists. Relatively. the growth of bike trails for recreational bikers has been only a recent phenomenon over the last 12 (?) years. Their viability and outstanding success have been well documented elsewhere.
Everywhere throughout NZ, new bike trails have increased tourist traffic and $ income. More recently, in the last ten years, the introduction of “Ebikes” has extended the prospective market to include many more senior “Grey Nomads”. The easy-peasy 15 km scenic Tongariro River Trail (“TRT”) is ideal for them, although many have tackled the longer Big Day Out – see photo below.
The links to form the full circuit for the TRT were the initiative of the Advocates for the Tongariro River, who, although not bikers themselves, were motivated to improve access for fishos. Anglers access trails around the river have been developed over 100 years ago but they did not link up into a continuous trail. Toe Paw Council were not involved.
So it may be of interest now, particularly in election year, to check if Toe Paw Council have followed their consultants’ advice and planned any more local tracks to save Turangi, or have they included any long-term plans to cater for this important market. Nope – sorry. Any new bike tracks are over fifty km away at the northern end of the lake.
One ambitious new private tourist bike trail was developed off the Desert Road closer to Waiouru, where a downhill track leads from the ridge of the Kaimanawas. It is more suitable for keen bikers looking for a challenging physical challenge than elderly casual tourists seeking a less rugged experience. Unfortunately, the $ cost is also restrictive for most tourists as a helicopter ride is needed to airlift them to the start.
About ten years ago, TRM was so concerned about the unsatisfied demand for a longer, more interesting ride, our “Big Day Out” route was surveyed. This has not been widely promoted as the route linking ten different trails is more complicated, needing a TRM shuttle bus driver. Now we can confirm it has been most successful and has proved beyond doubt that strong demand is there. With warmer weather approaching, it is good to see so many bookings for the Big Day Out.
Which brings us back to the brief video below. TRM still cannot understand how the Council consultants’ report overlooked the most viable tourist activity, which was historically responsible for the early settlement and development of the Taupo and Turangi region. You would think it was obvious, but Toe Paw Council still missed it.
Enjoy TRM’s brief video below, produced 11 years ago to discover who are the most popular tourists in the entire central plateau region. You be the judge…
Apologies for the obsolete material in the video, such as High Tea at the Chateau, but it was deliberately not updated to illustrate how long ago the video was produced. TRM’s message to Council still remains the same…
