Windy Canyon

Windy Canyon is a canyon and associated walking track on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. Located in the centre east of the island, the canyon is a spectacular natural site, a wind funnel shaped from andesitic rock. The canyon perches on one of the the highest stretches of the island, less than 200 m below the 621 m summit of Mount Hobson (the highest point of the island). [ [http://www.greatbarriernz.com/activities_sightseeing.html Mount Hobson, Hirakimata] (from the Tourism New Zealand website for Great Barrier Island)] Spectacular views of the Okiwi and Awana lowlands (north, respectively south of the canyon) can be had from it. [http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36806 Palmers Track via Windy Canyon] (from the DOC website)]

Palmers Track winds through the canyon, with the first part of the track (rising from the Okiwi-Claris road in the east) being boardwalked, and equipped with wooden stairs to allow easy access (15 minutes walk) into the most spectacular parts of the canyon and onto the ridge. From there, the track leads further west to Mount Hobson (Hirakimata). This part of Palmers Track is a medium-difficulty track (3-4 hours walk return).

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