Oct 06 2022
Abbotsford and Environs
Chain Hills Track. Accessed from Chain Hills Road. 30 min. Tramping Track. – benched. Manager: DCC CAM and private land.
19. 5 October 2022. Combined. Green Island/Abbottsford and surrounds. Grade 3-3.5. $5. Leaders: Phil & Colleen, Raewyn & Jenny F.
With weather forecasts of snow and strong winds fresh in their minds, 24 hardy walkers gathered at the Village Green, some hoping no doubt as we walked passed the cafe that we were going for an early fix.
A good turnout at the Village Green, despite a dubious forecast of icy snow-showers and cold conditions (photo & caption Marijke)
But to no avail as we immediately had to climb Thomson Street, short and not too sharp for our first huff n puff for the day. Immediately there were good views of the south end of Green Island, Estuary and Saddle Hill. On the far side, the ridge outline of Green Island Bush Rd, and the farm we did our recce through,(would the weather let the trampers make it that far?)
Now this is how a recce should be done! (photo & caption Phil)
Gardens in the area were festooned with blossom and bright ground cover and we all admired the Abbotsford home for wayward boys, it looked pretty good to the writer.
Walking through the new subdivisions, (once the playground of post war GI and Abbotsford lads), everything seemed much grander than back in the day. The natural storm-water basin was a delight with native plantings, and the entrance to the subway under the railway was a feature, painted by pupils of the school. A suggestion was made that some may want to take a little more time to walk Abbots Hill Rd while others stayed in the school playground for morning tea.
Morning tea at the Abbottsford School for some of us, with lovely treats from Jenni & Bruce (Photo & caption Helen)
Mmm the majority headed off in the first group! Many thanks to Jenni and Bruce for the ‘sweets’ and congrats again for the milestone anniversary and birthday.
Down Abbotts Hill (photo & caption Marijke)
Following morning tea the groups reunited to reach the top of Abbots Hill, and descend down the land that was the top of the now (in)famous Abbotsford slip in August 1979.
Houses were on this landscape before the 1979 landslide (photo & caption Pam)
With the agreement of the lifestyle owners we were able to eliminate many of the fences encountered on the recce, and take in the views. Having stayed together to the upper rugby grounds of Miller Park, the two groups split with the trampers heading down, through the tunnel under the motorway and up the other side of GI to the GI Bush Rd, whilst the hikers would move south up Neill St and down into the town via the motorway overhead footbridge for lunch. For the trampers more information on the slip was shared in the area of what was the lounge of the writers house, built by his parents in 1942.
Abbotsford slip with the ‘old’ Keene house in the middle of the soccer field (photo & caption Phil)
Following lunch on the reserve ‘in town’ and with advancing stormy clouds the Hikers decided to head to the Village Green, along the way finding shelter from the storm under the motorway overhead bridge.
Taking shelter from the snow shower (photo & caption Margreet)
At the same time the Trampers ascended Church Hill Rd and took some very deep breaths near the top as the winds and hail hit; thankfully we saw out the worst of it and carried on to GI Bush Rd where apart from one more brief flurry requiring shelter behind the Hawthorn Hedges,
Sheltering from the storm behind a hawthorn tree (photo & caption Helen)
and passing the memorial to the site of the first GI school in 1853, we were rewarded with literally some breathtaking views of the Maungatua, the Saddle and the ocean, including Green Island and Blackhead, the latter more like a battleship viewed side on.
Blackhead Quarry getting smaller (photo & caption Pam)
Wrapped up against the polar blast with Ocean View and Brighton beaches in background – Pam
As the sea comes into view, that sky above looks ominous (photo & caption Marijke)
Our kindly farmer had undertaken some inventive gate fixing to make the entry onto the farm much easier than on the recce, and we were able to enjoy plenty of views as we ambled and shambled down through the farm, the lambs gambolling in the breeze…..(with apologies to Wordsworth). We lunched on a sunny bank near the farm buildings, before heading to the Village Green ‘through town’.
Lunch (photo & caption Helen)
This was a rewarding day and of course all cobwebs were well and truly blown away. For the trampers a solid Grade 3, just on 12km and 350 altitude gain, while the Hikers were Grade 2 and 8km. Well done everyone and special thanks to the landowners involved for allowing access to build a great round trip.
Phil for Raewyn, Jenny F and Colleen
18. 23 March 2022. Hikers. Sunnyvale to Mosgiel. Leaders: Jan Butcher and Noi McCunn.
14 happy hikers set out for a trip to Fairfield and back on a very warm Autumn day. We parked oposite Nellies and crossed the road to get the 9.30am bus to Fairfield.
Waiting for our 9.30am bus to Fairfield (photo and caption Jan)
Alighting at Flower Street, we crossed the Main Road &commenced our walk at the short track around the Sunninghurst subdivision bringing us out onto Howorth Road. At the end of this no exit street we entered a lane taking us through Bremner Street with a lane at the other end bringing us out onto Old Brighton Road. We headed left down to the end of Edith Street bringing us out onto Walton Park where we enjoyed morning tea and could also avail ourselves of a toilet stop!
Morning tea at Walton Park (photo and caption Jan)
Walton Park toilet mural (photo and caption Jan)
Jay met up with us here after her early morning appointment in town and off we went again around the well-formed track around the park and on up a lane, around an avenue and back onto Old Brighton Road then up onto a track taking us up to the bottom of Chains Hill Road. We were all very hot & hungry by this time so we just walked a little way up the start of the hill and Neil found us a nice spot in the long grass to have our lunch in the much-needed shade, where we looked out onto Saddle Hill and down the motor way from our high vantage point.
Lunch stop view overlooking the motorway (photo and caption Jan)
After a leisurely lunch we picked up a second wind and travelled down the hill and around to Braeside to enter the underpass tunnel bringing us out to Cemetery Road. Lots of road works etc going on here. Down Gladstone Road we went to the cars with some of us adjourning to Nellies for a nice cold one of choice.
Barbara brought along a nice young lady with her today by the name of Leah (not sure of spelling). She was lovely company.
Jan & Noi
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.