Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

2. 2 August 2023. Combined. Waihola Hill and Lawlor Farm M Leaders: Anne, Lynne, Jenni and Barbara

The weather didn’t look too bad at seven in the morning so the decision was made for the tramp to go ahead.  Some of the Hikers and Trampers at Peter Johnson Park decided to give the tramp a swerve and go swimming at Te Puna instead of going out in the winter elements.

Sixteen very brave Hikers and Trampers arrived at Baker Road, Waihola to walk around Brendan Lawlor’s property. Brendan has developed a 28 section subdivision after he purchased the farm in 2005. Most of the sections apart from two now have been built on. Brendan has made a track around the lake for people to enjoy the views and birdlife.

After we arrived the weather was changing for the worse, so we decided to head to the implement shed to have morning tea.

Once there was a break in the weather we reluctantly left the shelter and headed up the hill to walk the track. We all had our wet weather gear on and at times hard to tell who was actually walking beside you. Walking around the lake was so different from the last time.  When we had a blue sky day and the lake was like a millpond.

There has been a huge planting project around the front of the lake with lots of native trees and grasses all with protective covers to deter rabbits pigs and possums.

The track in some places was very slippery and muddy due to pig rooting and also a very wet July/August.

We saw moments of blue sky but down to the south the sky was black and at times we had strong winds and driving rain.

Halfway around the circuit we all gathered together and took shelter in the farm building then made a dash for the vehicles. A decision was made to have our lunch at the Baker Road farm buildings then head home with no walk on the new Clutha Gold Trail or a coffee at the Black Swan café

Distance 6.48km

1. 2 March 2022. Combined.  Waihola Hill and Lawlor Farm. M Leaders: Jill Reid, Chris Wither Jenni & Bruce Wright

A fine morning saw 43 hikers and trampers make their way to the Lawlor property behind Lake Waihola.  After regrouping at Waihola, and about 33km from the Mosgiel carpark, we turned right into Lake Road, left into Young Road, right into Berwick Road and right into Baker Road to park at the cattle yards there.

Brendan Lawlor welcomed everyone and described the mechanics of developing the 28-section subdivision since they purchased the farm in 2005. There is also an 1880s restored cottage on the farm.

Trampers and hikers set off together about 9:45 and made their way up the road and across a paddock to join a track, mown by Brendan, on the lake side of the fence in front of the subdivision.  There was little wind and the lake views were gorgeous.

About 10:30 we stopped for morning tea together along the track.

25 trampers headed away first. A comment was made that the trampers left the morning tea stop true to form. “They were off like a bride’s nightie”.

Both groups, at their different speeds, enjoyed views towards the wetlands before turning inland to make their way through the farm and back along the road past the old cottage and new homes to the cars.

18 hikers enjoyed their lunch by a barn on the way and arrived back at the cars about 2:00 having covered around 8km.

The trampers enjoyed their lunch by the cars before making their way up Waihola Hill at 1:00.  Their route first took them up a gully [opposite the Waihola Wildlife Management Reserve sign] near the start of Baker Road.  They were then able to follow a 4WD track that wound around the hill.

When the trig on top of Waihola Hill came into sight the group turned uphill to appreciate the 360-degree views from there.

Then it was back to continue following the 4WD track to water tanks and back down the hill to return to the cars by 2:30.

The Trampers covered about 13km.

Thank you for the many great photos that were submitted to go with this report.

Chris