Taieri group goes on a ten-day tour of South Island walking spots
by Les Wiffen
36 Taieri Recreational Tramping Club members including the driver left Mosgiel last February for a 10-day South Island bus tour.
On the first day they left Mosgiel for Kaikoura and arrived at Dusty Lodge in the early evening after stopovers at Oamaru, Ashburton and Cheviot. Two members also did the trip in their camper van, but took part in all the activities.
Each evening there they held a happy hour, with entertainment provided by members which included two pipers. The group was hosted here by Mr Allan Eastwidonel who showed an impressive range of fine crafted timber furniture.
On day two most members did a long and interesting hike around the rugged rocky Kaikoura coast. Norfolk pines were very different from what they had seen before. Some seals and part of the whale-watching operation were seen by the group.
The bus left Kaikoura on day three for Motueka with stopovers at Blenheim’s Pollard Park, an attractive setting for morning tea, and lunch was at Richmonds Craft Habitat where there were plenty of crafts to inspect or boy.
They stayed at Abel Tasman Lodge, Motueka where their hosts Andrew and Isobel Furness made them very welcome. With 36 people to look after they did a great job in making everyone comfortable and also making arrangements to use the RSA next door.
A day’s hike to Abel Tasman Park was the highlight on day four, with a few members taking a water taxi from Kaiteriteri to one of the coastal bays and walking back.The remainder walked from Marahau, a four-hour walk to Torrent Bay, Anchorage Hut. Some enjoyed a swim in the sandy bay and others returned to Marahau by boat. Some members returned along the coastal route, with a few walking inland via the hill route. The many sandy bays made many cameras click and most felt a little tired after a great day’s walk.
After the previous day’s hiking and due to some welcome rain, the group was decided to take the bus to Nelson where one of the members’ sister, June acted as a guide around the Nelson suburbs and hills for the day. One of the day’s highlights was a visit to Hoglunds, a famous glass-blowing factory in Richmond where they produce a wide range of goods, some of which are exported.
On day six they drove over the very steep Takaka Hill, through Takaka to the Pupu Power Station, where a short walk was made up to the dam and then on to Pupu Springs with another walk and lunch. The water which bubbles up into the pool is the clearest in New Zealand and it was interesting to discover that it takes between 2-10 years for the water to reach the Springs.
After lunch the group went to the Begonia Gardens near Takaka and then finally to the Caves which several members visited.
On day seven the group left Motueka for Hanmer Springs with a stopover at the Motueka Sunday market with a very interesting variety of goods and foods.
Next stop was Kamatiri with a short walk through the railway tunnel and morning tea afterwards. Lunch ws had in Murchison and a short stop to view the falls at Maruia. That they they arrived at Hanmer Springs Forest Trust Camp (YHA), on Jollies Pass Road just out of town.
On the next day they drove to Jack Pass Road where members commenced the climb up to Mt Isobel at 1319m. However at 892m several members decided to return to camp via the Dog Stream Waterfall (a few energetic members carried on to Mt Isobel). The track to the waterfall was very steep and it took a little time in getting some of the ladies down.
After the waterfall there were two tracks back to camp. The Waterfall Track was fairly flat and running closely to a stream. Some members took this route. The other track – Spur Track – was over a hill climbing to about 800m. About a dozen people took this route and had lunch at the top with a magnificent view of Hanmer Springs area. Later on in the afternoon the Hanmer Springs hot water pools became a popular spot to relax in.
Several members on day nine did forestry walks during the day while most took advantage of a trip to the Hot Springs. A farewell dinner ws arranged by their Secretary, Nelson Taiaroa at the Hanmer Springs Golf Club where members formed into column of three some 500m from the club and then marched to the golf club lead by two pipers and the RSM for the day.
On the last day the bus left for Mosgiel with morning tea at Amberly, lunch at Ashburton with a short walk around the town, a quick stop at Temuka to view the pottery and crafts and finally ice creams at Oamaru and home.
The group had a fantastic 10-day trip which could fill a book with incidents and happy times.
– From Taieri Herald
Leaders:
22/2/1999-3/3/1999 Les & Margaret. Tour included rosters of Bus Monitors, Judge/Juries, and Happy Hour hosts.