Taumarunui Walks
W2. Sunshine Track
1 hour return
Moderate
This is not a very long walk but it is really lovely and worth the effort. Cross Victory Bridge and turn left down Marsack Road and the entrance to the walk is sign posted on the right. The narrow drive leads to a small car park with a wooden fence and a stile denoting the beginning of the track.
The track is well‐formed with plenty of steps on the steeper parts but can become a little muddy after heavy rain. It takes about 40 minutes to walk up if you take your time to enjoy the lovely bush on your way. It winds up through a valley with large kahikatea, totara and pungas along the way. Beautiful birdsong will serenade you all the way up.
When the top of the track has been reached, climb over the stile to the grassy area on the other side. This is a good place to have a snack and a rest after the walk up. From here you get a view of the Whanganui River Valley and a look at the lovely redwood plantation on the other side of the fence. It is really worth the climb to see these magnificent trees before beginning the walk back downhill.The return is very much quicker, and all too soon the magic moment has gone.
The lovely feeling of having reached the top, the bush, the birds and the views will stay in your memory for many years.