Eco-tourism Attraction in Horeke, Hokianga Harbour, Nothland, New Zealand, Wairere Boulders, trekking, tramping or walking an eco-tourism or eco tourist place

It was a real challenge to get this done.

The construction of all structures in the Wairere Boulders had to be adapted to the micro climate of the valley. During many months of the year, the valley floor is wet or moist under quite warm temperatures. Leaves will drift in the wind and fall into the structures so that they are often constantly kept wet. As well as this, moss will grow on the different parts of the structures, mainly on the parts near ground level.

Therefore great care has been given to these conditions and the building materials have been selected accordingly.

Here comes the box with the tools down the flying fox.

Shufting planks in bush

It was very hard to transport the timber to the rock from where it could be lowered with the flying fox to the construction site. Rita the Buswhwoman securing the 7 m planks on the wet and very steep bush ground.

All materials had to be transported a long stretch through dense bush, which is not so easy if the planks are 7 m long. Special tracks had to be found to manoeuvre them around the many trees and bushes.

All bridges follow the same design. Only the height of the main beams is altered according to span. If the abatement is on top of a rock or boulder, Bowmac stainless steel brackets were bonded into the rocks with epoxy resin.

Left: Principal design for footbridges. Some details had to be adapted due to local circumstances.

Design of platform The platform was designed to make sure it is totally safe. All loads are transferred on timber to timber contacts and the bolts are only to keep the parts in place. They do not actually transfer any loads, except horizontal pressure from the hand rails.

Right: Design of the platform, view from the valley side.

Timber quality:
All timber is Pinus Radiata first grade and H4, H5 treated. (H4, H5 treatment prevents the deterioration of timber trough bacteria, borers or funguses.) It is certainly unaffected for 50 years. Timber thickness varies between 50 and 100 mm, but 50 mm planks have been used predominantly for beams, floors and handrails, whereas posts are in heavier sizes.

Hardware quality
All nuts, bolts and washers are are in Stainless Steel (SS 316) to avoid any maintenance problems. The structures (platforms, bridges & stairs) are attached to the rocks with special Bowmac Fittings (SS 316), which are bonded with epoxy resin into drilled holes in the boulders.

Bowmac stainless steel fitting Special Bowmac Stainless Steel 316 bracket to be glued into rock with epoxy resin.

Rod Ų 16 mm, l = 200 mm

Timber stack

Timber for bridges No 3 on left valley side. Beams, floor and handrails are all the same quality of timber to make construction procedures easier.

Drilling basalt for foundation The foundations of bridge beams are prepared. The rocks are shaped so that the fittings can be glued with epoxy resin into the boulder. The level of the fittings has to be lowered so there is no extra step needed to go onto the bridge. The rock, being basalt, is very hard to drill.

To enable easier communication, we gave names to all bridges and stairs. The names chosen were names of people we love and cherish.