Kaka Point

1. 27 October 2021. Trampers. Kaka Point Ramble. E. Leaders: Karen & Gary McInnes

12 trampers travelled the 100km to Kaka Pt to arrive at the perfect time for a cuppa on the beachfront.

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Morning tea at the park by the surf club (photo and caption Helen)

The weather had gotten steadily better since we had left Mosgiel so apart from a wee sea breeze, the morning stop was beautiful. We left the cars parked at the beachfront and walked up to the end of Rata street to where the nature walk began. A very good gravel track lead us on a lovely walk through various native trees.

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Kaka Point (photo and caption Marijke)

We emerged at the tennis courts and walked down past the motor camp to a very new short bush track then back to the cars. Next stop was Nugget Point.

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Looking at the lighthouse (photo and caption Helen)

We walked out to the lighthouse and were rewarded with vistas of calm sea and the magnificent rocks that give the Nuggets their name.

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New Zealand’s rocks (caption and photo Helen)
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Our group at the lighthouse (photo and caption Helen)

There were lots of comments about how crystal clear and tropical the water looked.

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Startling blue sea colours off the track at the lighthouse (we could be in the Mediterranean (photo and caption Marijke)

There is a small breeding colony of Royal spoonbills on one of the rocks on the walk out to the lighthouse. Lunch was a sunny spot with a fabulous view all the way up the coast. We drove back down the hill to Roaring Bay where it was a short walk down to the penguin hide.

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Hidee hi trampers (caption and photo Karen)

Unfortunately not the right time to see penguins but the bay was beautiful just the same. We decided that we would add on a visit to the train tunnel at Tunnel Hill on the southern scenic route. Certainly an amazing tunnel, being the southern most tunnel in the world.

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Tunnel Hill (caption and photo Marijke)
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Tunnel Hill info (caption and photo Jenni)

End of the trip refreshments were had at Cafe 55 in Balclutha. We had fantastic weather all day until south of Allanton where we ran into rain. Thanks to the drivers who got us there and back safely.

Karen


 

Botanic Garden, Logan Park, Northern Cemetery, Chingford

25.  29 September 2021. Hikers. Otago Museum and the Fashion FWD Exhibition and a Springtime Walk. M. $5.00. Leaders: Jenny Finnerty, Noi McCunn
On Wednesday 19 hikers set off on a walk, starting at Botanical Gardens and walking to the Museum park for morning tea.
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Morning tea in the Museum Reserve – photo Noi
We then went to have a wander around the Fashion Gallery Trail in the Museum after which we walked through the varsity to the St David Street zig zag.
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Walking through the varsity – photo Noi
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Otago University Clocktower Building – photo Noi
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St David Street steps – photo Noi
Things had changed since I was a kid because Arana Hall had expanded and so now there is a locked gate at the top but lucky for us a lady swiped us in and swiped us out on the other side. Had a bit of tiki tour through studentville to Dundas Street but took a wrong track but ended up at the Cemetery.
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Bush track up the hill – photo Noi
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Bracken View – photo Noi
Alex took us to the gravesite of the 1st white baby born in Dunedin.
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Alex at the gravesite – photo Jenny
Had lunch at the Rhododendron Del and after looking around we all met up at the Croque-O-Dile for coffee.
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Magnolia tree in the Botanic Gardens – photo Jenny
Another walk done and dusted thanks hikers.
P.S. Was good to see our Brighton chums and others from town. Jenny and Noi.

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