Aug 07 2022
Aramoana
Aramoana: Pathway of the Sea.
The Spit, known as Shelley Beach.
The Mole: The mole has deprived the Spit of its natural supply of sand.
In 1992 a short board walkway was constructed at this point to try and stop further erosion. Managed by Port of Otago.
Spit Beach. Known as Big Beach. Rock to explore. Great sand slope, towering volcanic cliffs.
Key Rock.
Salt marsh flats. Path. Conservation area. Managed by DOC.
17. 03/08/2022. Aramoana. Combined Trampers and Hikers. Grade 2. $10. Leaders Gail Williams and Heather Kirk, Max Wilson and Graeme Souter.
Aramoana welcoming committee (photo & caption John).
After quickish morning tea and a catch up on birthday shouts at the carpark the group was herded off to the Domain for a comfort stop before the short walk along the track / boardwalk out onto the salt flats.
On the Board Walk (photo & caption John)
Following a quick count to ensure we hadn’t lost anyone we returned the way we came back to the carpark then onto Shelley Beach. This takes you to the harbour entrance with Taiaroa Heads opposite.
Two of our oldies enjoying their day out (photo & caption Helen)
The tide was favourable, so we were able to clamber over some rocks at the end of the beach to round the spit past the old pilot wharf quietly eroding away.
Forty trampers/hikers well spread out along the beach past The Spit (photo & caption Marijke)
We were greeted by a large bull sea lion resting in the shallows. He didn’t seem to be too concerned about us trudging past so after he posed for a few photos we left him to it and carried on back to the carpark. The plan was to head out to the end of the Mole for lunch however with the wind starting to get up a bit and time pressing on it was decided to give that a miss and instead we would have lunch. This turned out to be an inspired move as it meant we would make our deadline for afternoon tea later on. The cafe had expressly informed us they were closing on the dot at 3pm.
Lunch on the rocks by the Mole (photo & caption Pam)
Following lunch John gave a small talk to the group on the workings of the locator beacons we carry on all tramps and hikes. I think this was very useful as it is important for everyone to be aware of what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Gathering around for PBL refresher by John (photo & caption Jenni)
It was very tempting to push the button for a helicopter but as there were no takers for a ride, we headed off down Aramoana Beach.
Now everyone saw another sea lion on the beach making a nuisance of itself by chasing those who got a bit close. That is except for Jim.
Jim took his eye off the seal. Panic. (photo & caption Ady)
It was an impressive turn of speed from Jim (he would not be out of place at the Comm. Games 50 metre dash) once the animal had him in his sight. After much hilarity and no injuries, we continued along the beach to the impressive rock formations then along a track in the sand dunes that took us back through the township to the cars.
Keyhole Rock or Heart Rock as known to local’s (photo & caption Pam)
Upon returning it was generally accepted we walked a total of 8 kms and it is most pleasing to report that even we lost no one returning with our full quota of 40. It was then off to Port Chalmers for a coffee / tea / beer at a great wee cafe called the Galley.
After the trials and tribulations of the last few weeks it was a great day out with lots of laughter and of course great companionship.
Graeme
16. 30/03/2022. Hikers. Aramoana. Leaders Mike Webb and Max Wilson
Boardwalk on Aramoana salt flats (photo & caption Mike)
Remains of the pilot wharf Aramoana (photo & caption Mike)
Sealion at Aramoana Spit (photo & caption Mike)
Fur seal on Aramoana Mole (photo & caption Mike)
Afternoon tea at Galley in Port Chalmers (photo & caption Mike)
It was fine but with a cold sou-west breeze so we were pleased to find shelter from the wind for morning tea at the memorial to those killed by David Grey in the 1990 massacre.
To start activities.Smoko. (Gordon pic and caption.)
With a surprising break from tradition the group was then split into teams of four or five and issued with instructions for a treasure hunt.
ARAMOANA TREASURE HUNT:
- What does Aramoana mean? ________________________________
- What is unusual about the Southern Right Whale? _______________
- How many pilot houses are there on the Spit?__________________
- Who did the art work on the board-walk mural? _________________
- In what street is the house called Waiwurri?___________________
- What is the name of the boat house in Moana Street? ____________
- What is the Maori name for albatross?__________________
- Who are Hector’s dolphins named for?________________________
- How long can a yellow-eyed penguin live?_____________________
- What is papaka?_____________________
Collect the following: (It must all fit in your plastic bag).
- A black pebble
- A feather
- A black trumpet shell
- Something red
- Part of a crab
- A picture of a seal
- A piece of string
- A picture of a black-backed gull
- Something plastic
- A bottle top
- A purple flower
- Something orange
- Something wooden
- A lolly wrapper
- A hinged shell
- A piece of green seaweed
With low tide at 11.30, teams managed to cover a lot of ground – right along the ocean beach to the end,
Walking along the beach with the rich and reflections. (Helen pic and caption.)
out to the end of the mole,
Discussion on the Mole. (Gordon pic and caption.)
round the spit past the pilot houses, and along the board-walk across the salt marsh.
On the boardwalk ecological area. (Helen pic and caption.)
We gathered back at the memorial for lunch at 1.15pm, glad to be out of the cold wind again.
Lunch back at the Monument. (Gordon pic and caption.)
Teams had worked with great enthusiasm, with most answering all the questions and finding all items listed.There was no clear winner so chocs were issued to all before departing for Careys Bay and hot drinks.
– Judy and Linda
49 happy trampers gathered at the Aramoana Hall for this year’s Christmas lunch. Goodies were deposited in the hall and after a leisurely morning tea break outside, a variety of walks were had.
14 trampers marched along the beach as far as they could go. It being low tide, this was right to the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder. The predicted high temperatures and NW winds did not arrive but conditions were ideal for a beach walk.
Can you see it? (Margreet pic.)
They returned along the beach to the mole, and out to view the lazy seals basking on the rocks at the end.
Just about there. (Margreet pic.)
Sleepy Recumbency. (Margreet pic.)
There was no time to continue round to the wharf as lunch was scheduled for 12 o’clock.
16 hikers walked out to the beach beside Bear Rock and turned right along the beach to the mole, then out to the end to view the seals.
(Adrienne pic.)
(Adrienne pic.)
Various other Club members were met at different points, enjoying the local scenery in a leisurely fashion, some onto the mole, some along the beach and others the board walk across the tidal flats.
A fantastic spread awaited us in the hall and we all feasted amply from the groaning tables. Holiday reading was available courtesy of Jill, proceeds to the new Mosgiel pool, and we were tantalised by Liz’s photographs of some recent hikes.
Cinderella was then ‘performed’ by an able cast of six – some barely recognisable under wigs, lipstick and skirts. A great deal of fun was had by all.
The brilliant weird Cinderella cast. (Margreet pic.)
The day was concluded with a couple of rousing Christmas choruses led by Bruce with his guitar. Some adjourned for coffee on the way home at the university cafe, while the majority headed for a well-earned nana-nap at home. – Judy K.
Morning Tea
Sunning sealion at end of Mole. (John pic)
Sealion happy as a pig in muck. (John pic)
Jetty. (John pic)
Marshland (John pic)
The Port Royale Cafe, Port Chalmers. (John pic)
GPS of route. Ignore red bit. The 9+ km shown should have been really 10 – 11 km as I failed to take the camera out onto the salt marsh board walk.
We parked in the Aramoana recreation grounds. (Near “9” on map). We wended our way by road and track to the beach where we had our morning cuppa in sandhills sheltered from the current wind (1 km). En route, some accepted the invitation by its owner to explore the roomy interior of the quaint boat house, beautifully wood-worked with no nails, designed to float if/when the sea-rise comes. We turned left along the beach until stopped by the ebbing tide mark, admiring a number of seal pups. (2 km). We returned …..
Return
and continued on to reach the Mole (4km) and explore to its (almost) end,(5 km) guarded by several seals, who weren’t about to yield ready passage. Here we were impressed by a large colony of Terns, all facing into the wind.
Terns
We returned …
Returning from end of Mole.
to the Mole’s base. (6 km), where we lunched at the …
Memorial
…Monument to Aramoana Disaster… We then circumnavigated the Spit. (7, 8 and 9 kms). Then it was out to the Aramoana Saltmarsh boardwalk. Unfortunately this reporter left his camera GPS recorder behind with his pack at the cars (sob) for this bit. Further, he failed to turn it off till he got to his Careys Bay Hotel coffee, transforming the recorded 9 km into a sprint-walking further 10 km. (sob again). Anyway, a good walkabout, ably led by Judy, a long-time crib-dweller of the area. Thank you, Judy – and Lester, our back marker, who unfortunately lost touch with us, along with one of the hikers, and was able to re-find us only after lunch. – Ian.
Sea Lion on rocks
Sea Lion at sea. Tail inspection?
Nesting albatrosses and shags on Taiaroa Heads
A cluster of birds
Natural wind-carved sand sculptures on the Spit. (Bob pic)
Memorial Names. Peter, Marjorie.
Memorial Inscription. Bruce, Marjorie, Peter, Bill.
Totara memorial
Back at the Hall, we visited the Gordon Johnston Arboretum behind the back corner of the hall, which we would never have guessed existed if Lesley had not told us.
Arboretum Entrance
An extensive path led around the native plants Arboretum, fully equipped with informative plant names until half way around there appeared the following entrancing scene.
Seat with eight beautiful swinging legs. Marjorie, Lesley, Margaret, Jean, Bev H, Bev McI, Pat.
Back into the hall for our usual wonderful spread of finger food. We sat in chairs around a table not only provisioned with a glorious variety of tidbits but also with them arranged on a protective oilcloth spread, and with paper plates and serviettes, all provided by the leaders. Most thoughtful.
Meal scene. (Bob pic.)