Mar 06 2024

Waikouaiti: Matanaka, Beach Walk

Distance from car-park: 57.5 km.

On The Huriawa Peninsula Track (pam) Square15. 06/03/2024. Combined. Waikouaiti. Grade 2.5. $16. 57 km. Leaders: Karen McInnes/ Gail Williams, Carol Morrison/Val Cayford
A great turnout of about 26 people took part in the combined outing to Waikouaiti.
Parking on Edinburgh Street past the golf course we set off for Matanaka. However the road was closed, it wasn’t on the day of the recce! We headed for Hawkesbury lagoon.
All Together On Lagoon Track Waikouaiti (pam)

All Together On Lagoon Track Waikouaiti (Photo & Caption Pam)

Plenty Of Bird Life On The Lagoon Track (pam)

Plenty Of Bird Life On The Lagoon Track (Photo & Caption Pam)

Hawkesbury Lagoon Wildlife Refuge (pam)

Hawkesbury Lagoon Wildlife Refuge (Photo & Caption Pam)

The sea was very rough because of the strong wind the day before. Water was entering the lagoon.
Eventually The Top Of The Arch Will Be Eroded Away (john)

Eventually The Top Of The Arch Will Be Eroded Away (Photo & Caption John)

The walk was pleasant with a variety of birds sighted.
On returning to the cars via beach road, there was even seaweed on the road from the big waves. The decision was made to go to Karitane for lunch and walk around the peninsula.
Is This The 'ladies' Lunch Section (john)

Is This The ‘ladies’ Lunch Section (Photo & Caption John)

On Headland Track Karitane (helen)

On Headland Track Karitane (Photo & Caption Helen)

Karitane Headland Track Looking Towards Church (helen)

Karitane Headland Track Looking Towards Church (Photo & Caption Helen)

On The Huriawa Peninsula Track (pam)

On The Huriawa Peninsula Track (Photo & Caption Pam)

The tide was still coming in. The walk was very pleasant and the views spectacular.
Panorama (click To View) The Pacific And Karitane From The Huriawa Pa Site (john)

The Pacific And Karitane From The Huriawa Pa Site (Photo & Caption John)

Coffee and cake at the gallery, at Waitati, with much chatter, concluded a very enjoyable day.
Relaxing At Blueskin Gallery After A Great Day Out (pam)

Relaxing At Blueskin Gallery After A Great Day Out (Photo & Caption Pam)

Dave M on behalf of Karen and Gail.

14. 18/1/2023. Hikers. Waikouaiti – Old Country Track. Grade 2. $13. 58km. Leaders: Jan Butcher, Judy Dennison

20 hikers turned up at the carpark keen to make a start on the new year. 4 carloads set off on an overcast day & met up with Alex from Brighton who had brought along a prospective new member Bill who thoroughly enjoyed his day out he tells me.Turning into Ramrock Road and onto the next right, we travelled up the unsealed Quarry Road, not quite to the top, and parked in the spaces left by the forestry workers (no workers about as area has been cleared).

White heron - Helen

White heron (photo & caption Helen)

The start of the track was dry but onto the farmland the grass was wet from the nights’ rain. Although we didn’t see any sun, we could enjoy the view below of the township and out to sea.

Morning tea - Helen

Morning tea (photo & caption Helen)

We stopped for a cuppa just as we went through the gate and then started our ascent which was not steep but steady and so we enjoyed a few stops to admire the view and catch our breath as it was our first outing for 2023. Also a couple of people were in recovery mode from their recent covid bug. We eventually reached the high point of the farm crossing and it was decided that we would leave the rest of the journey this time and turned around and headed back to the cars. Of course this time it was mostly down so we arrived at the cars just after midday and then journeyed down to the beach where we had lunch. The sun was still not out but it was calm and not cold at all.

Over the Inlet - Helen

Over the Inlet (photo & caption Helen)

After everyone was replenished we walked our lagoon circuit, however this time we did it in reverse (probably because there was a sign down that way marked “toilets”). It was actually quite nice for a change – thanks Alex for showing us the way.

Coffee at Bkueskin - Helen

Coffee at Bkueskin (photo & caption Helen)

The afternoon refreshments were had at Blueskin Cafe where we were all able to sit outside & also enjoy the surrounding plants etc.
On checking the distance we walked 10k so quite enough for our first hike we thought.

Jan and Judy

Last week's get together (no walking) - Ady

Last week’s get together 11/1/2023. No walking but we had a coffee (photo & caption Ady)

13. 4/5/2022 Combined Trampers & Hikers, Waikouaiti. M. Leaders: Dave Roberts & John Gardiner; Cathy Ferguson & Linda Partridge
On a lovely autumn day a mixture of trampers and hikers, 28 in total, drove to Waikouaiti to meet at the Events Centre.
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Gathering at the Waikouaiti Town Garden (photo and caption Ross)

We had morning tea at the Waikouaiti Golf Club.
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Superb morning for Combined walk to Matanaka, Waikouaiti (Photo and caption Pam)

Proceding left we walked up the hill to Matanaka, where we explored the stable, Granary School, House privy and farm shed on the farm established around 1840 by Johnny Jones.
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Matanaka Homestead established by Johnny Jones in 840 (photo and caption Pam)

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Matanaka school house (photo and caption Ross)

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Group photo outside the stables at Matanaka (photo and caption Pam)

Heading downhill we had lunch at the beach carpark…

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Oh we do like to be by the seaside …. (photo and caption Ross)

…and decided to walk along beach to take advantage of the low tide and we were greeted with a stunning view of Karitane.
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Our Happy group spread out on Waikouaiti beach on way to Karitane estuary (photo and caption Pam)

We continued along Beach Street to reach Scotia Street and over the board walk and across the lagoon where there was amazing bird life including paradise ducks and ducklings.
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Estuary walk supporting lots of wading bird’s (photo and caption Pam)

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Waikouaiti Estuary (photo Pam)

A sudden hipcup occurred by leader so with the help of Phil Morris we found a track around the lagoon which we finally meet up with the other trampers who took drivers to the Golf Club.
We finished a lovely day with liquid refreshments at Blueskin Café.
Total distance 15kms.
As leaders of the hiking group on this walk, just want to share how great it was to have trampers and hikers together for the combined walk. Was really nice to walk and chat with people and have lunch together with members who hadn’t walked before.
Thanks everyone
Cathy Ferguson &Kathryn Fagg


12. 17/2/2021. Hikers. Waikouaiti
On a lovely summer’s day, a mixture of trampers, hikers and ramblers, 30 in total, drove to Waikouaiti.  3 ramblers were dropped off down Beach Street for their walk, the rest of us turned up Ramrock Road, carefully parking our cars on the side of the road (as there was limited parking) and headed off across “Old Country Track”.
A DOC track across undulating farm land and returning the same track. Of course we had to make a few stops to admire the beautiful  scenery below, even looking out to the harbour entrance where we could see what looked like a cargo ship waiting to enter. Morning tea was had at our first stop.
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“Morning tea stop.” – Photo and Caption John.

We took a little bit longer than estimated, so lunch was later than usual.
This we had at Waikouaiti beach.
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“Stroll across the causeway.” – Photo and Caption John

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“Swans look ungainly on land.” – Photo and Caption John

After lunch we walked down Beach Street, turning at the street beside the railway line and around the lagoon and onto the short beach walk back to the cars, some preferring the road walk back instead, but all arriving to the cars about the same time.
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“Life’s a beach.” – Photo and Caption John

We finished a lovely day out with  liquid refreshments etc at Blueskin Cafe.  We had the place to ourselves which was just as well & all sat outside in the sunshine with much chatter & laughter.  A fitting way to finish off another good day out.

There was just one hiccup where a phone managed to fall out of a pocket at the start of our hike, but a quick drive back the next day found it in the long grass safe and “dry”.
cheers, Clive and Jan B
11. 20/11/19 Hikers Waikouaiti Matanaka Leaders Shona and Ady
A group of 27 hikers and ramblers assembled at Inverary St beside the Hawksbury Lagoon.
We left 3 ramblers to “do their own thing” the rest walking down Nairn and
Dumbarton Sts to  Edinburgh St before sheltering there out of the wind at the golf club for morning tea.
Proceding left, we walked up the hill to Matanaka, where we explored the stable,
granary, school house, privy and a farm shed on the farm established around 1840 by Johnny Jones.
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Photo and Caption John – “A most exposed dramatically stark, eerie, yet resilient set of buildings is hard to imagine!”

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Photo and Caption John – “What life must have been like for those first settlers from the ship ‘Magnet’ from New South Wales”

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Photo and Caption John – “Inside the stables of the Matanaka farm buildings (circa 1840’s)”

Heading downhill we had lunch at the side of the road.
We continued on over the estuary mouth and down to Beach St, walking  up to see the
St John Anglican church built in 1858, the first church built in Otago.
As the rain was threatening we increased the pace into Scotia St and over the boardwalk and across
the lagoon where there was amazing birdlife, including paradise ducks with ducklings and swans with cygnets.
Coffee was at Blueskin Cafe and while we were there, the forecast  shower eventuated.
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Collage – Clive
Distance walked approx 10 kms
Leaders Ady and Shona

10. 30/5/2018. Hikers. Hawkesbury Lagoon area. Leaders: Judy K and Elaine

After a frosty start in Mosgiel, 25 hikers parked at the end of Beach St, Waikouaiti and walked along to the river mouth, enjoying the views and watching the horses training on the beach. The track up through the pines was followed to a morning tea stop just before the Reserve, where a leisurely break was enjoyed in the sun.

Clive pic.

The walk into the Reserve …

Clive pic.

… showed us plenty of bird life – especially ducks, geese and swans. At the end of the first causeway we turned right to cross the little bridge to follow the track round the edge of the water, across a stile, up through the paddock, and across another stile to Dumbarton St.

We turned left here, and followed Dumbarton St to the T junction at the end, turning right into Nairn Stand then left into Inverary St, which took us to the northern entrance to the Reserve. Just before the bridge we made a right turn onto the causeway which was followed out into Scotia St. A left took us into Beach St, with a toilet stop at the Camp and so back to the cars.  Lunch was had on the grassy area just below the car park. 

Clive pic.

Some new signage in the Reserve, and good track surfaces, show that this special place is really being cared for.

After lunch the majority opted for a quick visit to Matanaka, which was new to about half of the group.

Clive pic.

Arriving at Blueskin Nurseries for the obligatory coffee stop, we found we had been pipped at the post by the trampers, who were cosily huddled inside.  The more intrepid hikers chose to brave the elements outside (well, most of them).  A great day out for the last 9 0’clock start of the season.

– Judy and Elaine

9. 30/11/2016. Hikers. Hawksbury Lagoon and beach. E. Leaders: Judy K and Jay.

Hawksbury Lagoon route map courtesy Ian.

Hawksbury Lagoon route map courtesy Ian.

A blustery sou-wester did not deter 30 hardy souls from the drive to Waikouaiti where we gathered at the end of Beach Rd.  Along the road to the pines we had the wind behind us so it didn’t feel too bad, and the walk through the pines brought us to a sunny spot for a leisurely morning tea break.  Then it was out into the open again, across the first causeway to the bridge, observing a variety of bird life on the way – mostly paradise ducks and their young, and plenty of black swans and cygnets …

Black Swan on nest. (Ian pic and caption.)

Black Swan on nest. (Ian pic and caption.)

Another black swan and nestlings. (Ian pic and caption.)

Another black swan and newly young. (Ian pic and caption.)

… learning foraging skills.

A short detour over the bridge to the right, and on round the inlet proved to be rather rough and overgrown, but provided an interesting diversion.  We went back to the bridge, turned right and then left, to cross the next causeway, with a brief stop to decide whether to pass the female swan sitting on an egg right in the middle of our path.  With some reluctance she let us by, with a blustery display of spread wings to protect her nest.  A little further on another nest with two eggs lay unprotected.

A brief rain squall caught us just before the end and we were pleased to find the shelter of the trees.  A gentle road walk followed, out to Beach Rd and back to the cars just before midday.  Lunch was had in a sheltered spot on the grass between the car park and beach.

After lunch 17 members opted for the beach walk, while some of the others headed for home and some up to Matanaka to explore.  The beach walkers …

Waikouaiti to Karitane beach walk route map, courtesy Ian.

Waikouaiti to Karitane beach walk route map, courtesy Ian. Only remembered to start app 1 km after leaving lunch spot!

… strode out into the head wind to reach the end of the spit in 45 minutes. Here we had quite a different view of Karitane.

The old Karitane wharf high and dry. (Ian pic and caption.)

The old Karitane wharf, but high and dry at low tide. (Ian pic and caption.)

New Karitane wharf, still high, but wet.

New Karitane wharf, also high, but wetter. (Ian pic and caption.)

The return walk with the wind at our backs was more pleasant, as was the coffee stop at Blueskin Nurseries. – Judy and Jay.

8. 4/11/2015. Hikers. A walk around Waikouaiti’s back streets. Leaders: Jan, Jay.
GPS of route

GPS of route

28 Hikers and Trampers parked at the car park down at the corner of Beach Street and Matanaka Road. We walked down to the beach and along to its northern end. We were struck by the damage heavy seas had made to the beach edge.

Devastated beach verge. (John pic)

Devastated beach verge. (John pic)

The Lagoon had completely sanded up.  We stopped for morning tea at the car park at the beach end. We walked back along the beach to reach the sanded-up outlet of the Hawksbury Lagoon Wildlife Refuge area and entered by the forest edge.

Up into the Lagoon (John pic)

Up into the Lagoon (John pic)

We followed the path up and across the lagoon onto the end of the Nairn Street track which led us out of the Lagoon where we turned right onto Inverary Street, which took us along the back of a long large building under repair which some thought might be Waikouaiti’s chicken farm, left down Cromaty Street, right on Clackmannan Street and a look-in passing the back gate of the Waikouaiti Racecourse.

Grandstand. (John pic)

Grandstand. (John pic)

Left along Edinburgh Street, left again along Glasgow Street and left along SH1 at its end. We stopped along the way to look into, and some to shop in, Beano’s Pies and Artisan Bakery.

Artisan Bakery (John pic)

Artisan Bakery (John pic)

A little further  up and across SH1 (opposite the end of Mount Street) into a park beside the Events Centre with seating to have lunch,

Lunch in gardens beside the East Otago Events Centre. (John pic)

Lunch in gardens beside the East Otago Events Centre. (John pic)

placed conveniently behind very new public toilets, with sliding doors operated from within by lighted buttons, ridged to the touch and promising to have locked the door only by faith.  Cross SH1 again at crest of the rise, a little further up and into Kildaire Street. At next crossing, right along Collins to its end and go down Henry Street to its end. Down Henry Street and left around corner at the bottom into Fell Street and right at its end out onto Beach Street with only a block further down it to arrive at the car park again.

Thanks to Jan and Jay for looking after us and taking us on a new and interesting back-streets-walk to open up a Waikouaiti few if any of us had known of before. Garden flowers and trees bright with colourful blooms

Colour in garden. (John pic)

Colour in garden. (John pic)

and houses new and old made interesting viewing. – Ian.

7. 31/10/2012. Hikers. Matanaka. Leaders: Fred, Judy.
6. 17/10/2012. Hikers. Matanaka. Leaders: Peter and Wendy.
5. 28/3/2012. Trampers. Matanaka, Cornish Point. Easy.

We clockwised the Lagoon loop and antied the other. GPS courtesy Ken.

We set off from the cars directly across Hawksbury Lagoon

Looking back on sharp straight ledges

Lovely old stable at Matanaka

4. 10/3/2010. Hikers. Matanaka. Coast Walk. Leaders: Barbara, Molly.

3. 6/5/2009 Both. Waikouaiti. Beach walk: Waikouaiti – Karitane. Easy+. Leaders: Lesley S, Bill H, Bill M, Pat.

We parked on Beach Road between the tavern and camping ground and walked to the north end of the beach where we had morning tea.
Tea Break. Waikouaiti beach

Tea Break. Waikouaiti beach. Bill, Evelyn, Bob, Who? Chris, Peter, Lex, Bev, Elaine, Pat, Lesley, Doug, Wendy, Lesley, Neil, Fred, Barbara, Ken, Bob

Then followed the nice long flat beach walk to the Karitane spit, admiring along the way the distant view of Huriawa Peninsula and a bunch of OGHS girls practising their surf canoeing skills under their coach’s supervision.
Walking to Karitane

Beach walk to Karitane

Wave and Karitane peninsula

Wave and the Karitane Huriawa peninsula

OGHS Coach and canoer

OGHS Coach and canoer

We rounded the spit to lunch on its landward side to admire the settlement of houses and the two (cray-fishing – Ken thought they might be) boats and the splendid view up the river of Mount Watkins.

Lunch at Karitane

Lunch at Karitane. Bill, Pat, Doug, Peter, Who? Angela, Neil, Lex, Wendy, Barbara, Who? Lesley, Margaret, Bev, Joyce, Elaine, Lesley, Evelyn, Bob,

Fishing boat at Karitane

Mt Watkins from Karitane

Mt Watkins from Karitane

After the leisurely lunch, it was a leisurely strung-out amble back along the beach to the cars. A good day and thanks to Bill H and his team for this variation on the usual Matanaka walk. – Ian

2. 9/4/2008 Leaders:

Trotting horses being exercised along the beach

What a glorious day for hiking it was and 11 hikers were really looking forward to their day when we parked our cars in Beach St, Waikouaiti, and set off to the beach. We walked a short distance along Beach St, then turned right into Fell Rd and from there went into the Forest where we sat in a lovely patch of sun and had our morning tea. Then off down to the beach. Couldn’t have had a more perfect day for walking along the firm sand, lapping up the sun and really soaking up the beautiful views. Great to see several lots of horses being exercised along the beach. Some trotting behind a vehicle, attached to a cart, others with riders in sulkies. At the end of the beach it was up the hill to Matanaka. A fascinating and very interesting place to visit. We spent a bit of time looking in the old school house and

The schoolhouse

The schoolhouse

Coming away

Coming away

inspecting the other old buildings which are all very well maintained and looked after. Then it was a leisurely lunch, sitting in the sun and taking in the view, really making the most of a super day. Then it was back down the hill and along Matanaka Rd. and then Matanaka Dr. to the back of the Motor camp which we walked through back to our cars. We all agreed we had had a fabulous day. – Bev

1. 17/10/2007. Matanaka, Cornish Head. Medium. Leaders: Graham, Glenice
Tea break in pines. Graham, Ken, Lex, Hazel, George

Tea break in pines. Graham, Ken, Lex, Hazel, George

Down to skirt bottom of steep face. Glenice, Hazel, Doug, Pat, Bill, Graham

Down to skirt bottom of steep face. Glenice, Hazel, Doug, Pat, Bill, Graham

Down round point. Lex, Who?, Pat, Ken, Graham, Doug M, Glenice

Down round point. Lex, Who?, Pat, Ken, Graham, Doug M, Glenice

Swans

Swans

2 responses so far




2 Responses to “Waikouaiti: Matanaka, Beach Walk”

  1. lynne9  lynneholdenon 08 Apr 2010 at 6:34 pm

    Didnt realise there was an active walking group in Waikouaiti, would like to know more. Thanks Lynne

    Reply

  2. ianf  Ianon 08 Apr 2010 at 7:52 pm

    Sorry Lynne.
    We are just the Taieri Recreational Tramping Club who do only occasional tramps as far away as Waikouaiti.
    However you are welcome to join us if you see on our tramping programme any walks within a distance convenient to you. Just contact us and ask, and we can arrange a meeting place and time.

    Reply

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