Bus Trip: Daisy Bank to Hyde. Rail Trail

No. 106 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Bus Trip to Old Central Railway”

4. 3/3/2021. Combined. Daisy Bank. Leaders: Theresa White and Sara McCormack

30 trampers gathered on a beautiful mild morning at the carpark. With everyone arriving promptly we
were able to get on the bus and be away just before 8.30. We paused to pick up Heather at the top of
the hill and had a comfort stop at Middlemarch. Arriving at Daisybank we all disembarked for morning
tea in the sun.

5 hikers decided to do a shorter walk so, after morning tea, they hopped back on the bus and were
transported back towards Hyde. They started their walk from Tiroiti giving them 6km for the day.
The remaining 26 trampers set a steady pace on the rail trail towards Hyde. First evidence we were on
an old railway line was the gangers Hut called Red Dwarf Hut. We regrouped in a nice shady area which
conveniently had a toilet. A few walked down the bank to check out the river.

The next gangers Hut was at Tiroiti. This one has some information boards inside. We then crossed the
Capburn Creek bridge (built in 1897) which has been left in its original .

The next bridge to cross was Prices Creek viaduct (built 1963). Shortly after was our lunch stop in the
shade of the bank of the Prices Creek tunnel which is lined in brick. 15 trampers ventured down the hill
to check out the Taieri River Diversion before having their lunch.

After lunch, just another 3km and with the wind on our backs we were blown along, arriving at Hyde
where the hikers were relaxing in the shade.

The Coffee kart, which also sold ice creams, did a good trade. We all rested in the shade before hopping
back on the bus, arriving back at the car park just before 4.  A lovely walk in the sunshine.

 

 

3. 3/4/2019. All. Daisy Bank -Hyde. Rail Trail. leader: Bob.

After a delayed start owing to members being given differing start times the bus finally left the car park at 9am.
The morning was crisp and clear with the roadside verges having frost on them.
We arrived at Daisy Bank in time for morning tea on a calm sunny morning.

48 members set off towards Hyde on the rail trail that was excellent to walk on.

We stopped for lunch by the Taieri River 6km into the 11km walk.

At the tunnel…

…some of the more energetic members went down to the river to see the 50 mtr diversion of the river through rock so they could mine for gold on the then dry river bed.

We arrived at the Hyde Cafe at 2.30pm for an ice cream or a drink or both.

We left there at 3pm arriving back in Mosgiel just after four oclock.
Thanks to Richard Tranior of Good Time Tours for his excellent service.
– Bob & Peter.

Bob’s bus was big and comfortable. Thanks to one or two club members rounding up extra passengers, numbers travelling managed (just) to reach the 30 needed to pay for it. We arrived at Daisy Bank at ten past ten so decided to start the walk with morning tea.

With Bev willing to play the role of back-marker, we were able to set off at our own times, at our own paces and with whomsoever we cared to link up.

A warm nor-wester tail-wind comfortably tempered what might otherwise have been too hot a day. But so vigorous was its assistance at times, it was difficult to maintain a dignified walking-pace.

The viaducts were great. This one, awesome.

To the left of the tunnel entrance was the following interesting notice.

Ken, who in a previous life had worked with DoC, and had hammered some of the nails into the previous viaduct, on two – yes, two – occasions was willing to escort companions close-by at the time, down to the Taieri River diversion channel referred to in the above notice.

Yours truly was willing to cast all photogenic illusions aside to grace a tunnel alcove with human interest.

The cafe at the end did a roaring trade accommodating a big club spend-up. The day was still relatively young, and we were in no hurry to get back on the bus, so we didn’t, for a restful long while.

At long last, we were back on the bus and headed back to Dunedin through a surprising band of rain at one point. A good day out, well-enjoyed by all. – Ian

20/5/2009. Hikers. Daisy Bank to Hyde. Rail Trail. (Cancelled. Weather wet, windy. Middlemarch road closed. Snow.) Leaders: Neil, Evelyn C.

20/11/1997 ( Data missing)