Three days left for scavenger hunt

Sophie van der Jagt, 12, Marie Clark, and Max van der Jagt, 9, at McLaren Falls Park.

There are only three days remaining to win prizes on any of six school holiday scavenger hunts around the Bay of Plenty region.

The Virtually on Track (VOT) Scavenger Hunts are designed to encourage families to solve clues, take photos and answer questions while exploring some of the Bay's most popular recreational areas.

The parks included in the scavenger hunt are McLaren Falls Park and TECT All Terrain Park in the Western Bay of Plenty; Blue Lake and Boyes Beach in the Central Bay of Plenty; and Hukutaia Domain, Opotiki and Fairbrother Loop, Ohope in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

'We went to McLaren Falls Park on Sunday,” says Marie Clark, who visited the park with her children, Sophie and Max van der Jagt. 'We solved the scavenger hunt without too much arguing. Total success!

'We also did the Te Rerenga Tunnel walking trail at TECT Park. Totally recommended! Haven't been there before, it's only a 4km hike but it's a great little spot.”

Miranda Clark and her daughter Samantha visited McLaren Falls Park on Anzac Day.

'We had a great time today doing the Virtually On Track McLaren Falls scavenger hunt,” says Miranda. 'What a cool concept! We've had a pretty cool Anzac day. Painting Paw Patrol dogs, McLarens Falls scavenger hunt #virtuallyontrack, finding #taurangarocks, baking Anzac biscuits then a wee rest watching The Greatest Showman movie!”

The Te Rerenga track is dog-friendly, with an off-lead exercise spot. Marie found that it took about an hour to complete the walk, which included going through the Te Rerenga Tunnel.

Sophie van der Jagt, 12, and Max van der Jagt, 9, at TECT All Terrain Park.

The Virtually on Track Project is a collaboration of three organisations working together to achieve shared objectives. The regional Department of Conservation office, Sport Bay of Plenty and Sport NZ have formed a unique partnership to bring an innovative approach to adventure sport and recreation in the Bay of Plenty.

The purpose of the scavenger hunts and the overall project is outlined on the VOT website.

'This region is rich with beautiful parks, spaces and reserves,” reads the website. 'Virtually on Track is designed to connect these natural resources with regular adventure sport and recreation activities and opportunities.

'The project aims to trial different uses of technology. We aim to create a ‘virtual hub' using the website and social media to activate and connect people with each other and the recreation spaces throughout the Bay. Apps will be used to create fun challenges encouraging more people to get out and explore our unique spaces.”

The VOT project is focused on eight local gem sites include Rotorua Eastern Lakes, McLaren Falls and Lower Kaimai, Kawerau and Tarawera, Waihi Beach and Coastline, Whakatane and Ohiwa Harbour, Papamoa Hills Range, Opotiki and Motu, and Otanewainuku and Kaharoa Corridor.

The VOT Scavenger Hunt maps and instructions can be downloaded from the website http://www.virtuallyontrack.co.nz/votscavengerhunt. Spot prizes for the Scavenger Hunt include passes to the Redwoods Treewalk Rotorua, Waimarino Adventure Park, The Wall and Basement Cinema Rotorua, and Rocktopia.

Please note there is no cell phone reception at TECT All Terrain Park, so explorers are encouraged to print out the scavenger hunt sheets before going there.

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