Jess is a Wanderer battled a winding, unsealed road, a puncture, a flat tyre, a 26km return hike and some hotter-than-expected spring weather to get to Panekire Bluff overlooking Lake Waikaremoana.
The lake is manmade but beautiful. The Goblin Forest that you walk through to get to Panekire Bluff is magical. Literally, you could expect little fairies to pop out at any moment.
From the carpark to the first main lookout point is a steep 45 minute climb. Doc recommends that the entire 8.8km track to Panekire Hut takes approximately 5 hours. I did it in 3.5 but I was rushing as (unlike sane people) I was going up and down in a day due to the hut being fully-booked and not having anywhere to stay.
You can see the full gallery here.