Abt 15 km from carpark.
9. 11/08/2021. Trampers. Roulston Farms and Weka Falls. M-H Leaders: Jill and Karen
On a clear morning with the promise of a sunny day 25 keen trampers made their way 4km up the George King Memorial Drive to assemble on Glencairn, the Roulston farm. After a brief background regarding the farm, we made our way down the paddocks to a barrier of electric fence tape from where we could look across to Mt Hyde on the other side of the Lee stream. The Taieri River was to our right.
From here we could also look down on some of the track we were to follow for our first loop. We proceeded down a steep track then levelled out to make our way around the face with a mixture of up and down till we got to a good sunny spot for morning tea.
After our break we headed off following a farm track which took us through some boggy patches and a bit of manuka. A decision was made to keep going on this course instead of making our way up through the paddock. A good addition to get the heart rate going and the legs pumping. We then made our way across the road to the Sime’s farm (leased by Roulstons) where there are spectacular views all the way down to Lake Waihola.
It was a flat walk on the paddocks to our lunch spot at the implement shed. After lunch we walked over a couple more flattish paddocks and well chewed swede paddock then proceeded down the paddocks where Nick joined us to help us find the elusive Weka falls. It was a steady descent to the entry point of the track to the falls. We followed stock trails in the gully through bush consisting of manuka and totara but were unable to find the falls despite being able to hear them. Nick led us further upstream through the bush and scrub and the track was eventually found. Following the track down we came to Smugglers Stream and the Weka Falls.
The falls were definitely worth the effort to locate them as they are very picturesque. Nick was able to go in behind the falls and not get too wet.
After making our way back up the track and regrouping, a piece of orange tape was left to mark the correct entrance to the track. We made our way back up the lower paddock then headed down into a wee manuka gulley then up just below a pine block across the paddock to the lane where we had walked before lunch. From here it was a flat walk back to the road then along to the area where our cars were. The tramp was approximately 15km long and had a good variety of grades and scenery.
A big thank you to Nick Roulston for being so generous with his time both with the recce and helping us find the falls on the day. Thanks also to Jill for the baking she gave to the Roulston family. Karen McInnes
8. 11/11/2015. Hikers. Weka Falls on Smugglers Stream. Leaders: Peter and Wendy.
About 25 of us parked at the wool-shed. After Jim Sime had welcomed us, he invited us to share a moment’s silence as it was Armistice Day and a suitable occasion was unlikely to occur later at 11.00 a.m. Due to some hip trouble Jim led us off in his Kobotu four wheeler. We took the customary route first through the tree-lined paddock, through the gate, turning off to the left along the ridge of the next paddock and down it to the gate at the bottom. Here we took the sharp turn to the right down the steep slope (acute turn right below 4 km indicator on map of route) into the dip,
then up again to the left at its farther end and up up up a long slope to the eventually ease-off at its top. Then slightly diagonally to the left, now sloping down to stop at a part-wired fence for the morning cuppa.
Beyond the fence, it was a long gradual descent to a bush-lined gully in the distance. Jim had opened the track down through the bush, adding many well-dug-out steps on the steeper parts. Half an hour went by before we reached Smugglers Stream at last.
Down at the stream, everything was covered in slippery moss and great care was necessary to avoid slipping over. Alex nobly stood by slippery rock face on the track and was not one to shirk the the task of having to rescue three fair maidens in his arms as their feet slid away beneath them..
We crowded where we could find a safe footing and gazed in wonder at the Weka Falls of Smugglers Stream. Jim had said as it was likely to be his last visit to the Falls that he intended repeating earlier ventures under the falls for the last time. Judy, our President, freshly return from an extended North Island break, elected to go with him lest any mishap to befall the venturer.
The rocks were heavy with moss and the two had to take great care in negotiating the route.
It obviously wasn’t easy.
Careful does it.
Made it!
The way out was a surprise. Jim suddenly disappeared down behind the next mossy rock ahead of him with Judy waiting to make the plunge down too.
Beyond here was impossible to photo. The route was out of sight. It lead up and into the bush and via a contoured route reached reach the track we had come down at a point about half-way up it. Bravo!
We climbed our way back out again. Jim offered the chance to harvest young lancewoods or totara and a few accepted his offer. He also provided a few freshly cut manuka sticks as trekking poles for any who wanted them.
We lunched at the bush side.
Sheltered from the wind, we dozed in the sunshine until at last it was time to begin the trudge back up the slope above us. It’s never easy to have to climb immediately after a lazy lunch break, but climb we all did – with one exception. John took advantage of the opportunity of accompanying Jim in the Kobotu.
The Weka Falls day is not a long one, but makes up for it with many many energy-sapping ups and downs. We arrived back at the cars it was not the end. Jim expressed his pleasure being able to share his property with us. And to finish the day off, he was prevailed upon to sing us his famous song about the egg (well, the slightly-off egg), consisting of a medley of some six or more tunes cleverly matching the words. This was met with much applause.
Twenty-one or so of the Hikers resorted to the Topiary Cafe for a convivial coffee stop. Thanks to Peter and Wendy for an enjoyable day. Weka Falls had been a surprise of a delight to all the ‘newies’ in the club. – Ian.
7. 18/4/2012. Hikers. Weka Falls. Leaders: Peter, Fred.
6. 2/12/2009. Both. Weka Falls. Easy. Leaders: Ian, Fred.
