Break out your camping gear for the first of the summer arbor camps (it's always summer in Gisborne) - the Hackfalls Arboretum arborcamp and working bee is this coming weekend in Tiniroto, Gisborne.
The Hackfalls Arboretum tidy up work is mostly snow and storm damage to medium sized trees, although there are some larger trees to be attended to as well. Bring along your climbing gear (if you intend to climb), handsaw or top-handled chainsaw with safety gear including helmet, muffs, chainsaw protection etc. and get involved - many hands make light work!
Camp organizers are setting up a flying fox for the kids (using Globe 5000 supplied by Treetools) and you can kayak on the lake (if you bring your own kayak). No doubt a slackline will be set up as well to keep everyone entertained. Supervised kids tree climbing is also available.
Apparently the camping facilities are fairly basic but there is a shower and toilet. The shearing quarters will provide shelter from elements if things turn nasty, which unlikely give the weather forecast.
The quickest route ex-Auckland, according to the Automobile Association, appears to be through Rotorua, Murapara, past Lake Waikaremoana on to Frasertown where you take a left onto Tiniroto Road.
Hackfalls Arboretum is just out of Tiniroto which is about 35 kms from Frasertown. Once you get to Tiniroto turn left onto Ruakaka Road, go about one and a half kilometers, take another left onto Berry Road and you're there. It's 465 kms from Auckland and will take 6-7 hours… so plan to get away early on Friday.
Get hold of Mark or Rossy if you have any questions.
Mark; arborcare@xtra.co.nz; 0274 527 804
Rossy; andreas@proclimb.co.nz; 021 050 4351
