The petrol-powered carts can reach speeds of 50-60km/h on the 2.1km track. Photo / Peter de Graaf
The petrol-powered carts can reach speeds of 50-60km/h on the 2.1km track. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Northland's newest tourist attraction involves hurtling over drop-offs and through hairpin bends in a scenic valley while strapped into a motorised cart.
The 2.1km-long ''mountain luge'' had a soft opening on Sunday at Waihou Valley Estate, west of Ōkaihau, with locals and Northland dignitaries lining up to be the venture'sfirst guinea pigs.
The luge is just part of plans by Ken and Phyllis Rintoul for their 450ha Horeke Rd farm which will eventually include a wedding venue, cafe, accommodation and outlets for boutique food and craft producers.
Waihou Valley Estate operations manager Jeremy Rintoul offers some tips to Don Jordan, the first member of the public to test the luge. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Ken Rintoul said Sunday's event was a chance to test the new attraction and gather feedback ahead of a public opening in a month's time.
With international borders closed and Auckland cut off from the rest of the country, many people would run a mile from a big investment in tourism. But not Rintoul.
''The best time to open is when everyone's getting out. That's when we get in,'' he said.
The venture would appeal to all age groups and its location meant it could bring people from both coasts.
It was just 200m from the Twin Coast Cycle Trail, Ōkaihau's other big attraction, and close to existing accommodation.
Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis, with daughter Kelly Davis at the wheel, heads off down the track. Photo / Peter de Graaf
The first person down the track on Sunday was Don Jordan of Kaikohe, who was born on the farm in 1959.
''It was brilliant, something totally different. The first run was a bit of a learning curve but after a couple of goes you could be right into it.''
Jordan said his father, who worked the land decades ago, wouldn't believe his eyes if he saw the farm now.
Waihou Valley Estate owner Ken Rintoul. Photo / Peter de Graaf
The petrol-powered carts with engines of 200-230cc can hit speeds of 50-60km/h on the downhill run. The loop back to the top of the farm is more sedate.
Rintoul said he planned eventually to use electric carts but they were still a few years away from becoming available.
The cost of a ride had not yet been set. Feedback from the soft opening would help set the prices, he said.
The track includes hairpin bends, a bridge and steep drop-offs. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Noeline Inverarity, who runs the nearby Ōkaihau Rail Stay in a series of refurbished rail cars, said the Rintouls' venture would boost the town as it grappled with the effects of the Covid pandemic.
''It gives people a reason to stay more than one night here. I take my hat off to what they're doing.''
