Tourist Information Signage
Where is the Tourism information signage on the Tongariro River Trail?
This was posted over 4 years ago……. Signage is the best way to inform and entertain many more tourists on the history, fauna and environmental issues (like CHECK CLEAN DRY!), by erecting a series of information boards along the Tongariro River Trail.
We have raised this issue for some time without success, but persevere to use TRM blog to remind the Council and DOC to take action. Examples below from other bike trails…
Why? Every other bike trail uses attractive tourism information boards to provide an informative commentary along their trails to make them more than just a bike ride, but an informative experience in local history, and to enlighten tourists about the environmental issues.
For some more mature bikers, the information boards are always a good excuse to stop for a “breather”. Even if they only describe the native trees on the track with vital information on whether they might be poisonous and any historical medicinal qualities or remedies from their leaves, etc. This is fascinating fodder for tourists. The photos of tourist notice boards with tree descriptions and local history are from the Coast to Coast trail up in Kaikohe.
Another very important “gap” not addressed is the provision of local history for tourists. On the Tongariro River Trail, the history of some of the “pools” is fascinating. These fishing pools were named about one hundred years ago, and most anglers of this generation are not aware of the characters or the reason they were named.
Just the names alone are sufficient to stir up questions. i.e. The Duchess Pool – named after the Duchess of York in 1920’s – see photo below.
TRM have offered funding the signs from book sales (TONGARIRO Skulduggery) to kick it off and DGLT (Destination Great Lake Council are Taupo Council’s tourist promotions team) are keen to contribute to make it happen as well. In the meantime the project is still waiting for approval from the Government Department that manages the river trail – DOC.
They replied to our request that the present signage is considered adequate! But there is none..!
Another example is the Admirals Pool named after Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Jellicoe, second Governor-General of NZ, 1920-1924. But his personal history of why he was sent to NZ is even more remarkable. (Ditto, Rear Admiral Hickling!) These stories need to be told.
Then there is the Cattle Rustlers Pool, Sly Grog Pool, Hydro Pool, Gun Club Reach, which beg the question to explain the reason behind the names. Who was Major Jones? Who was Vera?
With flooding on everyone’s mind recently, the history of Tongariro floods destroying the swingbridges is of interest, how the anglers’ access swing bridge was replaced by a flying fox at Red Hut. Or the Bridge Pool flood history deserves some recognition.
Just as important is the Maori history of the region. There are many other pioneers who deserve recognition or businesses who need to tell their version of events or inform of their significance in local affairs.
One of the most memorable and largest signs on the Coast to Coast trail was the local Maori tribe explaining how the land was originally “stolen” from them under the Public Works Act, confiscated for a railway line, but was never returned after the railway closed and was converted into a bike trail. Tourists love that stuff.
I suspect a similar fascinating history could be about how the modern Turangi township was created on the western side of SH1 by abusing the Public Works Act.
Or they could use the notice boards to elaborate on why they oppose any bike trail between Toe-paw and Turangi? Tourists love any such controversy.
Another popular bike trail locally is the Timber Trail between the Pureora Forest and Ongarue. The information panels designed for tourist bikers adds so much to the experience.
In addition, distance poles are essential to indicate how far to the end… The Tongariro River Trail has been completed for ten years now and tourists are still waiting for similar interesting, informative tourist signage boards.
