Jul 22 2023

Orokonui, Mopanui, South Face

Published by under Trampers

No. 70 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Orokonui. Big Tree. January – Late April”.
Distance from PJP 36km.

5. 19/07/2023. Trampers. Orokonui Circuit. Grade 3. Leaders: Karen McInnes, Esther Willis.

Mosgiel trampers met the town trampers at Waitati then travelled to the Doctors Point car park.
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About to leave the cars (photo and caption John)

25 trampers began the trek along the beach in mild weather looking toward the horizon with calm sea and a very photogenic sky.

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Fading sunrise on the beach (photo and caption Pam)

We walked through the rock arches …
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Through the Arches (photo and caption Pam)

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Almost good enough for a swim before morning tea (photo and caption Phil K)

… and carried on to the headland, which was the site of the Mapoutahi Pa, for our morning tea in warming temperatures.
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Morning tea at the Mapoutahi Pa Site (photo and caption John)

We then headed through the trees on a 4wd track skirting the puddles as we went. We walked the road around the Purakaunui Inlet …
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Are we going up that hill -yes! (photo and caption Phil K)

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Regroup at Purakanui, below Osborne Township (photo and caption John)

… then turned off at the Purakaunui Station road to cross the rail tracks and begin the McKessar track. The beginning of the track was a bit muddy and slippery but improved as we ascended through the bush.
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No trouble slowing down, even without a horse (photo and caption Phil K)

There was a lot of debris littering the track from the strong winds we had about four weeks ago.
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Looking back over Purakaunui Inlet (photo and caption Pam)

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Strolling through the pines (photo and caption Pam)

We stopped at the ruins of original McKessar stone cottage and as the area had been cleared and logged, we were able to investigate the remains of the stone outbuildings.
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Old ruins at McKessar Farm (photo and caption Sarah)

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Plenty of firewood, but no fire at McKessars Homestead (photo and caption Phil K)

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New light through old windows (Chris Rea album title) (photo and caption John)

Lunch was enjoyed at this spot as it was sunny and the clearance afforded a sea view. The next part of the track feels steeper with a full tummy but it’s not long until it meets with the Mopanui Ridgeline track by the Orokonui Ecosantuary.
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Stone wall on Mopanui Ridgeline Track (photo and caption Pam)

We regrouped at the top and took in the amazing vistas looking towards the coast, the hills and down to the beautiful Blueskin Bay. We made our way down the track having to skirt a couple of large fallen pine trees, over the crumbling rock wall and onto David’s track. This is a lovey track through the bush before coming out at the top of Whites Road. We then walked back along the road to the carpark. Refreshments were enjoyed at Blueskin Bay Nursery.
Length of tramp is approximately 14km, elevation gain of 472m.
Karen McInnes

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Mar 14 2012

Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Published by under Hikers

34 km from car-park.
14/3/2012. Hikers. Orokonui Ecosanctuary. Leaders: Chris, Lesley

Morning tea at feeding station (for the birds?) (Bob pic and caption)

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Nov 17 2023

Doctors Point area tramps

Published by under Beach,Both Hikers & Trampers,Hikers

Distance from car-park to Waitati: 34 km.

Distance from car-park to Doctors Point: 38 km.

15 Nov Orokonui Canoe Beach Race Against The Tide Square Resize Pam25. 15/11/2023. Orokonui Circuit. Grade 3. Leaders: Graeme Souter & Gail Williams
The day dawned fined and following some creative maths (11 doesn’t as it turns out does not fit nicely into 2) – 3 cars left Dunedin to meet up with the Mosgiel trampers at Waitati. After numerous toilet visits, we all finally continued to our starting point at Doctors Point Reserve.

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Aug 25 2023

Doctors Point, McKessar, Mopanui, Ridgeline

Published by under Beach,Hikers

37 km from car park to Mopanui Road end, and 40 km to
foot of McKessar Road.

The private land owners for the Pigeon Flat Walk are. 

Michael Lee   0224312212   Pigeon Flat end.

Ross Illingworth  021143304  Waitati Valley end.

The stone-walled ruins on Mckessar Track

15. 23/08/2023. Hikers. Mopanui, McKessars Track. Grade 3. Leaders: Margreet and Neil Simpson

On a perfect hiking day, 18 adventurers in 5 cars grouped up at Borlases Rd on the Southern outskirts of Pt.Chalmers. From there we convoyed towards Long Beach turning off to Osborne, before crossing the “under repair” causeway. The next left turn put us on a steep gravel road past the iconic Mopanui homestead before parking at the Purakanui/Osborne railway siding.

The team set off up the hill with great gusto. Smoko was had on a sun-drenched glade at the intersection of the Mopanui/McKessar tracks.

Hikers 23 Aug Mopanui Morning tea. Helen

Morning tea. Photo & caption Helen

Hikers 23 Aug Mopanui Alex 82 years youngs. Margreet

Alex 82 years young. Photo & caption Margreet

We zig-zagged to the top of the track where we turned off to enter the well ribboned bush track towards the summit. The track got steeper, and the rocks got rockier, but did the chatter get quieter? Not one decibel!

Hikers 23 Aug Mopanui Steep and rocky headig to the top. Helen

Steep and rocky heading to the top. Photo & caption Helen

Hikers 23 Aug Mopanui Beautiful view from the top. Margreet

Beautiful view from the top. Photo & caption Margreet

Hikers 23 Aug Mopanui Inland view Helen

Inland view. Photo Helen

After a catch-up rest just before the summit; we broke clear to take in the fantastic vista from the trig station. There being no wind. A long lunch was enjoyed, before we tackled the short steep descent to Mopanui Rd.

Hikers 23 Aug Mopanui Lunch at the trig. Margreet

Lunch at the trig. Photo & caption Margreet

It was a pleasant jaunt back to the cars via McKessar track looking in at the old farm homestead enroute.
Emersons was an excellent venue to cap the day off with refreshments.

HIkers 23 Aug Mopanui Road walk back to the cars. Margreet

Road walk back to the cars. Photo & caption Margreet

Hikers 23 Aug Mopanui McKessar house remains of. Helen

McKessar house remains of. Photo & caption Helen

Hikers 23 Aug Mopanui Emersons for cold and hot drinks. Helen

Emersons for cold and hot drinks. Photo & caption Helen

Vertical distance climbed was 407 metres and walking distance was about 8km.

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Strava screenshot of the route.

 

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