Aug 31 2016
Abbotsford and Environs
Chain Hills Track. Accessed from Chain Hills Road. 30 min. Tramping Track. – benched. Manager: DCC CAM and private land.
17. 31/8/2016. Trampers. Friends Hill, Dalziel Road, Abbots Hill Track. M. Leader: Janine.
Our group of 10 trampers set out from the ‘Pixie Patch’ on Friends Hill in absolutely stunning spring weather. The beautiful warm sunshine and no winds complimented the day as we moved from from one stunning vista to the next. Climbing up Friends Hill provided clear views over the Taieri Plains. Saddle Hill, Kaikoura estuary, Brighton coast, Mosgiel and distant mountain surrounds.
H-115055Lovely view to sea. (Helen pic and caption.)
As this road reaches it’s peak and becomes Half Way Bush Road we all rested and refreshed with morning tea before heading off. only to be disturbed by 2 large pigs looking for attention – or maybe food! We then veered down a rutted Brinsdon road,with lovely views over Dunedin, then after a short chat to a couple of horseriders reached Dalziel Road. As both Friends Hill and most of Brinsdon Road are ‘gated’ roads we had very little traffic to contend with and only the odd car passed while we tramped Dalziel Road / Grand View Road so again we gazed out at South Dunedin, Green Island, Waldronville and beyond. Diverting onto another ‘gated’ road, Abbotts Hill Road took us through a now empty logging site and into the back of Abbottsford where we continued into the private ‘Abbottsroyd Farm’. Here we set down our packs and soaked up the sun while we all had lunch.
Lunch on farm by beautiful old tree. (Helen pic and caption.)
With renewed vitality we all powered up a steep hill and aired our opinions of the ‘Grand Vista’ subdivision and housing plans laid out below us then turned and headed down into the gully where the abandoned Wingatui train tunnel is tucked away in the bush.
Tunnel Gate. (Janine pic and caption.)
Then of course we had another climb to get out of the gully and the track joined up onto the Chain Hill track which we followed back to Friends Hill and the Pixie Patch for drinks, cake and more good company when Margreet and Neil (armed with extra coffee plungers and even more cake!) came to join us.
Coffee, hot chocolate and home baking at Janine’s. (Helen pic and caption.)
A stunning day full of picture postcard views and great company. The walk was 14.4 km. – Janine.
16. 27/1/2016 Sunnyvale, Abbotsford, Grandvista, return Green Island. Leaders: Bev and Janice.
The scheduled tramp on Murray’s farm was cancelled owing to rain and the leaders considering it would be dangerous on the wet grass. At short notice, Bev and Jan substituted a walk round Abbotsford. Not too many turned up at the car park, as it was a drizzly morning. However, decided it wasn’t too bad and 6 of us set off. Followed much the same route as a previous walk done a number of years ago, from Sunnyvale sports grounds up Thomson Street through a lane to an older part of Abbotsford, and then on through the Grandvista subdivision. This was most interesting, as it has expanded considerably in the last few years, and people were starting to build on what must be the last remaining sections. Stopped for morning tea at a very attractive children’s park, then carried on through an underpass which connected through to North Taieri Road. Meandered back down through Abbotsford into Green Island, where we had a late coffee at the Post Cafe (which incidentally has very yummy food).
Hikers- Post Cafe. (Bev pic and caption)
This earned extra brownie points from a certain member of our party – she was impressed with two coffee stops in 2 hours. Elaine joined us for coffee, so it was good to catch up with her. All in all, well worth the walk – the rain was negligible, the company good, and blew away a few cobwebs during a somewhat miserable week. – Bev.
15. 29/4/2013. Both. Sunnyvale, Green Island, Abbotsford. Leaders: Lex, Elaine.
Lex and Elaine led us on long wandering walk, beginning at Sunnyvale, then through Green Island, where we stopped for morning tea in the Gardens.
Morning Tea at Green Island Gardens
Then further still through Green Island and across to the foot of Abbotsford for Lunch.
Lunch at a sports building
Then it was up and down and around Abbotsford till the writer was completely lost, and finally back to Sunnyvale. Did we do 10 km? Nay, maybe 15 km. It was long anyway, – and satisfying. Thanks to the leaders for reconnoitering a most original (to the writer), extensive and enjoyable walk. – Ian.
14. 11/2/2009 Hikers. Abbotsford – Sunnyvale, Thomson St, Severn St, Nth Taieri Road, Abbotshill Rd, Miller Park, Neill St, Gt Sth Road. Leaders: Carmel, Lex
The walk began at Sunnyvale Sports Centre, thence up Thomson St,
click to enlarge
Bob trying to interpret
Fickle or tickle? Bob
with morning tea at the end of Severn St at the entrance to the Granvista subdivision,
Tea break
Les relaxed
thence up North Taieri Rd and so up Abbots Hill Rd, at the end of which we made our way down through pine forest and pasture to the GIRFC Miller Park where we lunched,
Lunch break. Carmel, Bev
Lunch rest. Les
Chain Hills Road. Molly, Graham, Frank (23/1/2008)
returning along Neill St and the Great South Road. Eighteen of us enjoyed the mild calm day, remarking on properties we passed, the extended views from higher up, the perplexities of the leaders who debated much about the route and rest spots, the people, horses and cats we stopped to converse with. A highlight was having Carmel with us who used to live on the site of the great slip of 1979. Chris produced the book of the disaster, which she had thoughtfully brought along, and which helped to place the past turmoil onto the present calm landscape. Carmel’s house, which they had had warning to evacuate, was one that was carried downhill intact except for a couple of minor damages. Clear in her mind though, was the fact that their carport and that of the neighbour were dismantled and stolen by persons undiscovered during one of the following nights! We had had a varied walk, much better we thought than that of a local resident who had completed numerous clockwise level circuits of Miller Park main playing field while we lunched! – Bob M
Three Bobs. Bob M, Bob E, Bob H
What more can a man ask for? Who are Neil’s two helpers?
Among the things of interest on this hike are the variety of different animals we see. Goats, alpacas, ostriches, as well as the usual sheep of various colours, dogs, chooks and cats. Lunch stop was in a very pleasant reserve/playground area where we had a relaxing break while enjoying our lunch. Became rather overcast and cooler so we packed up and set off on the homeward leg, via Morris Rd. Sun soon came out again though so we had a pleasurable walk rest of way back to cars. An agreeable day had by all. – Bev.
12. 26/10/2008 Trampers. Wingatui, Friends Hill, Halfway Bush and back. Leader: Ria
11. 23/1/2008 Hikers. Leaders: Frank, Lesley
Tea Break. George, Doug M, Pat, Joyce, Lex
10 trampers started out on a beautiful day from the community hall opposite the Wingatui race course. We walked up Friends Hill, everyone taking it at their own pace,
A Handsome trio. Alpaca, Tash, Pat
with our leader Ria striding out ahead. After a pleasant stop for morning tea, looking back over the lovely view of the Taieri Plain, it was up and over the top into Half Way Bush road looking at the interesting colour schemes of the new houses along the way. On reaching Three Mile Hill Road, there were several options to be considered taking into account how far we all wanted to tramp.
Back down Friends Hill. Lex, Doug M, George, Who?, Ria
In the end we opted for the easiest one and walked along Dalziel road to the new reservoir and ate our lunch in the park by the water. It was then back to Brinsdon Road past the Mt. Grand water scheme and back to Friends Hill where it was all downhill back to the cars. The tramp took about four and a half hours including the breaks. A very satisfactory tramp on a lovely sunny day with some up hill work to keep us fit. Tash
Dunedin from Mt Grand
Mosgiel from Friends Hill
Some great photographs that speak for themselves. They really encourage walking and also remind people of other special places so keep it up. Thanks guys.