Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

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.

Morning tea. Photo & caption Helen

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!

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

Beautiful view from the top. Photo & caption Margreet

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.

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.

Road walk back to the cars. Photo & caption Margreet

McKessar house remains of. Photo & caption Helen

Emersons for cold and hot drinks. Photo & caption Helen

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

Strava screenshot of the route.

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10. 16/08/2023. Hikers. Mosgiel Street Walk. Grade 1, $0, 9km, Leaders: Raewyn Keene, Helen Morris

It was a little frosty as 14 hikers set out from Peter Johnson Park for a street walk till lunchtime. Along Reid Street to Factory Road, Church Street to Gordon Road, the pace was steady. As we approached the railway crossing (and unknown to some of us), was the plaque about our own Lester and his beautification efforts.

Lester’s Pride (Photo & Caption Helen)

As we continued on to the old Mosgiel Railway Station for morning tea, it was great to see the daffodils & blossoms beginning to bloom, indicating Spring is not far away.

Spring has sprung early (Photo & Caption Helen

Morning tea (Photo & Caption Helen)

Refreshed and with the sun trying to shine, we headed off to Cemetery Road, ventured into the new Grange Lifestyle village as far as we could go, and back out to the underpass into Kinmont.

On Kinmont (Photo & Caption Helen)

Some hill climbing was considered necessary to get our hearts pumping, so up Leith, Clyde & Braeside Streets we went. Back down to Quarry Road and left at Nellies, we looped back to our cars via Argyle Street & Bush Road.

Ross C joined us today and was apparently looking forward to a ‘flat’ walk (as advised by his lovely wife) – oops! Hopefully the friendly chatter along the way helped.

All in all, a pleasant morning’s walk, good company and 9kms achieved.

Map (Photo Helen)

The Harwood hike will be rescheduled into the summer programme.

Helen & Raewyn

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7. 9/08/2023. Hikers. Mornington. Grade 2, $5, 18km, Leaders: Ady Whitson, Pam Clough.

Meeting at PJ Park we decided to go ahead with our hike. We decided to park further up Mornington Road which turned out not to be far enough up. Down Elgin Road we went, all 13 of us, and down the steps ending up at the steps at Caversham Valley Road. Morning tea we had on the steps that looked along Main South Road.

Morning tea (photo and caption Phil)

It was here two departed to return home as somebody had forgotten their pack and it was very cold.
We started off along Barnes Drive at a reasonable pace as I thought the weather might turn on us…

Pond by Southern Motorway (photo and caption Helen)

Walking the overbridge (photo and caption Phil)

A scotsman’s fence, near the ‘auld’ scotsmans terrace (photo and caption Phil)

…up Glen Road and turned up steps to end up in Carson Road. From there we travelled up Cooper St with a few stops here and there for a breather.

A bit of up (photo and caption Phil)

Turning right into Glenpark Avenue I put a fast clip on as the weather was probably going to turn at about 11am. Another set of steps up to Mornington…

And up 152 more steps (photo and caption Phil)

…and just at the top the weather did change completely. After a quick conflab, it was off to the Mornington Tavern for a warm up and a coffee.

(photo by Helen)

A+ menacing ‘front row’? (photo by Helen, caption by Phil)

We left about 12.15pm to head back to the cars and this was where I decided we had parked the cars far too far down Mornington Road as the weather really turned to custard. Home by 1.15pm.
We did have lots of laughs and Lynley was the only one from Trampers to show up (I don’t think she read the email in the morning and I didn’t let on I hadn’t either).
Like I’ve said before, don’t put me in charge as it is always wet when I’m at the front. Thank you Pam for all the help as I have no idea round some of those streets.
Cheers Ady. Continue Reading »

No. 83 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “McNally Track, Milton. Year Round”
44 km from car-park.
Access: Milton M 91km ret. Opposite Presbyterian Church, turn left at Ossian Street and follow on down Moore and Tokoiti Streets to Cemetery near which is the entrance to the McNally Walkway. Park cars by the side of the road.
Potential for Combined trip.

20. 28/06/2023. Trampers. McNally’s Walkway. Grade 2.5. Leaders: Graeme Souter, Yan Campbell

Hopefully, Constable Tom McNally would have appreciated that 17 hardy trampers weren’t deterred from following the walkway named for him. A night of heavy rain and inconclusive forecasts for the day had caused Graeme a restless night, trying to decide whether to cancel or change the tramp. Much of the trail is quite exposed passing through paddocks and would have been pretty miserable in a downpour. It wasn’t actually raining at Peter Johnstone Park at 9:15 and the sky seemed to be lightening to the south. We split into four cars and headed for the cemetery at Milton and the beginning of McNally’s Walkway.

Getting ready to leave the cars (photo and caption John)

We set off in a very light rain along a fence line of the first paddock. The ground and grass were certainly wet and it was a steady climb to our stop for morning tea in a sheltered spot with a bench. There was a great view of the Taieri Plain but the hilltops were still shrouded in cloud and would remain so.

Morning tea on McNally Track (photo and caption Barbara)

Morning tea (photo Helen)

By the time we set off again the rain had stopped and the only drips were from the overhanging trees.
We took a slightly different route from other years, turning onto the Kowhai trail for the rest of the climb. It passed through a mix of native and introduced trees before opening up into paddocks of newly planted pines. By this time, we could see the summit and the haybarn where we’d have lunch. There was just one more climb before we made ourselves comfortable and ate.

Lunch among the bay bales (photo and caption Pam)

McNally’s Track Summit (photo and caption Pam)

After lunch we headed downhill through quite long grass which soon became a clear path at least for those of us at the back. At this point the sun broke through and this clearer light made a remarkable pattern, contrasting the long fading grass with the small green pines.

All the new planting of the pine trees (photo and caption Helen)

Once we were through this, there was only one more steep pitch up through some trees. From then on the walk was steadily downhill coming out onto Cemetery Road and just a short distance from the cars.

On the last stretch of the tramp (photo and caption Helen)

After changing out of our muddy boots and gaiters we made our way to The Black Swan in Waihola. By this time the weather was fine enough to sit outside.

Camaraderie at Black Swan Cafe (photo and caption Pam)

The day had really turned out well. Thanks Graeme.
Yan
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1. 24 May 2023. Bayfield carpark to Glenfalloch. Grade 1. Hikers. Leaders: Linda Partridge and Helen Ingram.

A convoy of cars from Mosgiel parked in the Bayfield carpark at 9.45 joining Brighton and Dunedin people. Twenty-five hikers in total readied themselves for a walk along the cycle track along Portobello Road to Glenfalloch. It was a still bright morning, the harbour sparkling in the sunlight. We walked along the side of the inlet and stopped at Vauxhall Yacht Club for morning tea.

Morning tea stop. Photo & caption Ady

Then on to Glenfalloch which we reached just before noon.

An amazing lunch spot, thanks to Glenfalloch for allowing us to use their steps. Caption & photo Marijke

Enjoying the last of the stunning autumn colours on this beautiful sunny day. Caption & photo Marijke

The gardens look beautiful every season, and that day in autumn the maples were flaming red, and a long bank of fuchsias in purple and shocking pink terraced one of the hillsides. We had a leisurely lunch and Linda had prepared a questionnaire for us to take round the gardens to help us explore the grounds.

Some googling (cheating) required to get the right answer. Photo Linda

Time for some chat before we hear the results of the survey. Photo Linda

Helen announced the outcome of our “Treasure Hunt”. We saw things that we never noticed before, and we all got a chocolate prize! Thanks to Linda and Helen, it was a lot of fun. Caption & photo Marijke

How many spoons in the sculpture near the restaurant? Where will you find the sundial? It really brought out the competitive nature in us! But everyone’s a winner, and a bag of Cadbury Favourites was handed round.

The Portobello bus was due at 2.15pm, and most of the hikers decided to walk on to Macandrew Bay to catch the bus there.

The keen ones continue onto Macandrew Bay. Caption & photo Marijke

Brandishing BeeLine Cards we filled the bus and were dropped off close to the cars.

Getting our Bee cards out to get on the bus back to the ‘Start’. For many a new experience! Caption & photo Marijke

We finished the day with a hot drink at Nicols Garden Centre. Thanks to Linda and Helen for a very enjoyable day.

3. Titri Wetland, Waihola Township and Lake. Hikers. Leaders Eleanore Ryan

On Wednesday 26 April 2023, it was very windy when 19 of us hikers arrived at the lake, meeting up with 3 from Outram. What a champ Bruce was joining 21 ladies!!! Also welcome to the new members.

We started off at the Sinclair, Bungard and Huddleston trees near the campground entry. My Great, Great Maternal Sinclair Grandparents arrived in 1857 from the Orkney Islands with 10 surviving family (they had 13 babies in 27 years). On arrival after 100 day voyage on the Māori to Taieri Ferry the father and older sons (my G. Grandfather bought a horse on the voyage) set off to find land and build a house. They settled at the junction of the Henley and Titri roads— which was the main road through to the early 1960’s. Between them they owned bordering farms, married and raised large families. My brother still farms Titri which has been in the family for over 100 years.

Eleanore giving us some interesting history. Photo & caption Helen

An older timer’s cottage (now derelict). Photo & caption Margreet

The Baumgardt (now Bungard) family arrived in 1872, along with 40 Polish families and settled round Allanton and Waihola, mainly employed building the Railway line south. They too also farmed round Waihola, and Taieri Ferry.

We walked up past the school and had smoko at a little cottage that would have housed a large family back in the day. Up the road a little further we stopped outside what was the home of Arthur Draper. He came from England and set up a Business in Outram in 1909 making Cricket Bats from Willow. He moved to Waihola in 1917. Over time he made around 10,000 bats from local Willow that had dried for 2 years. By the 1930’s lighter imported bats were proving to be more popular.

The house where Arthur Draper made the first cricket bats. Photo & caption Helen

Up the hill overlooking the lake is the Cemetery, where a lot of the original Settlers are buried.

Eleanore pointed out historic graves at Waihola Cemetery. Photo & caption Margreet

It was then down the road back to the far end of the lake where we found shelter for lunch. The lake was really stirred up with the wind.

A lunch spot out of the wind. Photo & caption Margreet

Sun on the lake. Photo & caption Helen

Back to the cars and a short drive down to Titri wetland where we had seen the 2 Macracapa trees planted alongside a home built in the 1920’s. Some years later it was cut in half and dragged over the Island to the Waipouri river where it was floated down the Taieri river to Taieri Mouth—This Villa is still in ownership of a visitor we have had out a couple of times.

Titri Nature Trail. Photo & caption Margreet

A short drive back to Black Swan for Coffee, cake and chat—where we were served with a smile, which is not always the case these days.

Afternoon tea at the Black Swan. Photo & caption Margreet

Thanks to Jenny Flack for keeping an eye on the tail Enders. Not many km’s, hopefully you all enjoyed the outing hearing snippets of local history.

Eleanore Ryan

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2. 12 April 2023 Trampers and Hikers 

Choices for Hikers:  Stay home and knit or brave the elements of mist and drizzle with potential rain but leave the Waihola Wanderings for another time.  11 chose to go for a local walk.

The course was plotted as we left the Peter Johnson carpark, going along the riverside, turning at the helicopter pad and wending our way over to Wingatui Rd and Gladstone Rd North.

It was decided to have morning tea under cover.  Wingatui Station (built in 1875) was a likely possibility.  However, the leader veered off track and we arrived at Neil’s model railway instead.

Morning tea in luxury at Morrisons. Caption and photo Helen

View from their house of fog Caption and photo Helen

This of course provided shelter as he coped with the unexpected invasion and happily displayed rail/train manoeuvres.

Neil Morrisons trains – amazing Caption and photos Helen

Dry and refreshed, we passed the evidence of autumn in the yellow, gold and red tree colours, and wended our way back to the carpark after a pleasant 10 kms of Mosgiel Meanderings.

Hikers passing by Caption and photo Carole

Eleanore and Carole

The Trampers choice

As a weather alert was given, safety required that we could not go to Rosella Ridge, so it was decided we would meet at Woodhaugh Gardens.  After discussion, we headed towards Bethunes Gully. The rain had eased so we walked beside the Leith with some nice street art on the walls of the Leith.

Street art surviving the students !. Caption and photo Pam

We continued past the gardens, into North East Valley, past Dunedin North Intermediate school, then Baldwin Street(no takers),  Dunedin Hospice and Ross Home.  We detoured into Chingford Park, a nice stone home, which catered for weddings.

Chingford Park- Discussing the weather!!! Caption and photo Pam

We stopped at Leith Harrier and Soccer grounds for morning tea.

Morning tea under shelter at Chingford Pavilion. Caption and photo Pam

Moving on we passed some garden plaques on a fence. Into Norwood Street we continued to Forrester Park (bmx bike park) then into Bethunes Gully.  The good 35 minutes of uphill, required some reduction of gear before an uphill climb.  On the way a large tree had fallen and was being removed. We passed a couple of waterfalls,5 bridges over Lyndsay Creek and got to the top at 12.05 – lunchtime.

Soggy sandwiches eaten on Bethunes track. Caption and photo Pam

The return to the bottom took 30 mins, past the Normanby Tavern (now closed), Ross Home, then via a track behind the Hospice, thanks John G.  We continued back onto the main road to NEV shops back to Woodhaugh and the cars. As some had cooled off due to drizzle, it was decided no coffees but a couple of pieces of chocolate fudge sufficed.

Distance 16.18km Elevation 445m actual tramping time 3hrs 6min.

Thanks Graeme S for being TEC. A fun day out.  Phil.

Feburary 2018

Thirteen turned out for coffee. (Judy pic and caption.)

February 2018

15. 29/3/2023. Millennium Track, Taieri Mouth.  Leaders Dave and Mike

I seriously questioned my sanity on the drive from sub tropical Port Chalmers to Mosgiel for this weeks walk. The torrential rain and hailstones on the Southern Motorway left me with a sense of foreboding. However, 17 hikers eventually assembled at the meeting place at Knarston Park on Taieri Beach for what turned out to be a really enjoyable walk with the predicted rain showers non-existent.

Morning smoko was held on the verandah at Jay’s river mouth crib where we could admire the house extension at one neighbouring property and the dismantling of a Kauri boat on another.

Morning tea at Jay’s crib. Photo & caption Helen

From there it was a pleasant river side walk on the Millennium Track and boardwalks before starting the grunt up the hill to the welcome seats where we had lunch before re-tracing our steps back to the cars.

Millennium Track. Photo & caption Mike

View from the lunch seat. Photo & caption Helen

Lunch. Photo Helen

Consensus of opinion is that the grade should be re-classified as a 3.5 as Sir Edmund Hillary got a Knighthood for climbing hills that steep. The return to the cars was achieved without mishap and tiffin was taken by some at the Brighton Cafe.

Thanks to Dave Roberts for leading at a leisurely pace that made the uphill sections enjoyable. Total distance walked was 9.5km

Mike Webb

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3 -10 March 2023. Bannockburn. Trampers and Hikers and Bikers. Leaders: Anne and Rod Ward.

The club planned a trip to Bannockburn for three days of tramping and three of bike rides. This all started on Friday 3rd of March with accommodation at the old Bannockburn school now run by the Otago Outdoor Education Trust. Accommodation was a mix of the old schoolhouse, an attached cottage and the barracks for boys and girls at the other end. Anne and Rod had a full programme of activities for the six days, including delegating the evening meals to teams for the first four nights, this included providing nibbles, main course, dessert, and home baking for supper.

Friday 3rd March – Day 0
Travelled to Bannockburn and settled into the camp. It was a beautiful hot afternoon/evening under the veranda soaking up the atmosphere. With rooms sorted some had a swim, others happy to watch. Team 1 prepared scrumptious ham, salads, etc as required for the duty team.

First night, settling in. Photo & caption John

Bannockburn Camp. Photo Helen

Saturday 4th March – Tramping
Link to Day 1 tramping report: Kanuka Track and Trail to Old Cromwell Town.

Sunday 5th March – Tramping
Link to Day 2 tramping report: Kawarau River Track.

Monday 6th March – Tramping
Link to Day 3 tramping report: Bannockburn sluicings, Stewart Town and Long Gully Loop Track.

Tuesday 7th March – Biking
Link to Day 4 biking report: Bannockburn Camp to Smiths Way and return.

Wednesday 8th March – Biking
Link to Day 5 biking report: Lake Dunstan Trail and Millennium Track to Alexandra.

Thursday 9th March – Biking
Link to Day 6 biking report: Gibston to Arrowtown and Back.

Friday 10th March
All that remained to do for those who stayed overnight was to pack up, tidy up, and head back home.

Thanks to all cooking groups for preparing and organizing meals, that were varied and enjoyable, great menus for the week.

Also to all the drivers for ferrying us to various start and pickup points, your service was invaluable and very much appreciated.

Overall our accommodation was well suited for our tramping group. Bannockburn Outdoor Trust was very obliging to our needs. I’m sure we’ll return for more adventures.

Thanks, Anne

Saturday 4th March – Tramping
Day 1 – Kanuka Track plus Trail to Old Cromwell Town.
Lunches made, the tramping group (20) travelled to the Bendigo DOC Historic Reserve to complete the Kanuka Loop Track – 14kms from the Cromwell bridge to the turnoff onto Bendigo Loop Road and onto Mines Road to the carpark. The day was overcast with periods of drizzle so required jackets off and on as needed.

They are on their way. Photo & caption Phil

Morning tea. Photo & caption John

Working out where Tarras Airport is? Photo & caption Phil

This track is 10.6km long, with elevation gain of 487vertical metres. It is a rugged trail with steep sections, but the elevation gains give you views from the Old Woman Range to the Saint Bathans. Underfoot it’s a variation of grass, tussock, rocky outcrops, with some good cover from the Kanuka and Manuka bush, Lunch was at the skyline ridge. Moving time for our tramp was just over 4 hours. Once back to the cars we drove up the hill to have a look at the relics of the old goldmining settlement of Welshtown, stone buildings and mineshafts from a bygone area. After much discussion we agreed the track rating would be 4.5.

The 3 hikers. Dave, Helen and Raewyn. Photo & caption Helen

The Hikers (3) enjoyed a walk on the track to Old Cromwell Town for coffee and return 5.2km each way.

Team Raewyn’s tea. Photo & caption Phil

Link to next day.

<<– Link to previous day

Sunday 5th March – Tramping:
Day 2 –Kawarau River Track.
Due to rain overnight and start of Sunday morning we changed our walk to River Walk from Bannockburn Bridge up Kawarau River track (combined walk). Some walked return and others were given a lift back to camp where we had lunch. (4.5km each way) Very interesting walk which one day will join up with the carpark at the Goldfields Mining Centre.

Beautiful views. Photo & caption Helen

The long and winding road. Photo & caption John

Morning mist lifts on another day. Photo & caption John

In the afternoon Ross took us to the Quartz Reef Point Track about 6kms up the lake from the Cromwell bridge for a brisk 30 min walk from the carpark to view the formation of diggings in the shape of leaves (herringbone tailings).

Hope this is worth it. Photo & caption John

No need to go to the gym back in the day. Photo & caption John

Some travelled back to Cromwell Pool for well-earned spa & swim while others visited Highland Park racetrack.

Boys and their toys. Photo & caption John

Photo Helen

This one took John’s fancy. Photo & caption Helen

Helen laying down the law to her ‘boys’. Photo & caption Phil

Link to next day –>>

<<– Link to previous day.

Monday 6th March – Tramping.
Day 3 – Bannockburn Sluicings, Stewart Town, Long Gully Loop Track

Beautiful weather for start of the day. Lunches made. We left cars at Bannockburn Camp just a short distance from School Camp and headed along Domain Road/Gibson Road to the start of sluicings and up to Stewart Town for morning tea with all of group.

High Tea under the trees at Stewart Town. Photo & caption Phil

Heather’s photographic skills to the fore. Photo & caption John

Lovely old house. Photo & caption Helen

Here hikers and trampers parted ways, the hikers walking around through sluicings to Felton Road and back to carpark via coffee stopover.

Hikers at lunch at the Black Rabbit cafe in Bannockburn. Photo & caption Helen

The trampers headed further afield to complete Long Gully Loop Track 7kms, a steady uphill climb, where we stopped for lunch at the top and admired magnificent views of Bannockburn, its wineries and further down to Cromwell and Lake Dunstan. We couldn’t have chosen a better day; the scenery was amazing. Lunch over and back down steep incline to complete Loop Track, a tired but very satisfied group on completion of track.

Boundary riders. Photo & caption Phil

We did it. Photo & caption Phil

A long way down. Photo & caption John

Views of the Felton road vineyard. Photo & caption Neil

Many sore and tired muscles took refuge in the pool back at camp.

Wyn savouring Keith’s cooking. Photo & caption Phil

Neil started the evening meal with his version of grace, very apt for our group. Our yummy meal was followed by Neil’s quick wit for ‘News of the Day’ very entertaining thanks Neil. Shona and Keith arrived just in time to assist with meal preparation.

Link to next day –>>

No. 89 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Outram Glen – Lee Stream Year Round”

15. 25/01/23 Hikers Outram Glen to Confluence. Grade 2 Leaders: Eleanore and Judy

On a clear still day at 9:15am, 23 of us met at the start of track carpark ready to hike the river track to the meeting of the waters where Lee Stream flows into the Taieri.
For some this was a new hike and a revisit for others.

We live in an amazing part of the country Caption and photo Mike

After a pleasant half hour walk we arrived at the river beach for smoko, knowing we had a solid climb up through the well placed rock steps for quarter of an hour.

Some flat Caption and photo Helen

Some parts of track were damaged a few years ago by washout flood damage therefore, maintained as a route standard only with care required.  After we climbed the well-placed rock/wood steps, it was then a long traverse above the Taieri River for just over an hour and a half—often stopping for a breather. It was good to see the unusual crop of potatoes amongst the grass knowing we had arrived at the Confluence.

At the confluence Caption and photo Helen

Lunch at the Lee Stream Caption and photo Mike

Lunch in the long grass for some Caption and photo Chris

After a leisurely 40-minute lunch and toilet stop, we returned down the track, also stopping often to walk as a group.  Trip back was 15 minutes quicker than trip up. We walked 9km altogether.

On the way down Caption and photo Helen

Coffee and cake were shared at Topiary (Wal’s) Cafe by most of us, Trampers arriving back to join in after their Hope Hill outing.

Outram Glen is a great bush walk, close to home.  Care needed after rain.  Today track very dry with blue sky and about 23 degrees.  Thanks to Judy D. for her caring role as my Tail Ender.  Hopefully, you all enjoyed the day as much as I did.
Eleanore

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