Kuri Bush – Taieri Mouth. Beach. – Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

25 km from car park.

Kuri Bush, Taieri Mouth Beach – Information and Trips Library

6. 20/04/2022. Hikers. Kuri Bush, Taieri Mouth. Jim and Betty Finnie.

Conditions were perfect for the 16 hikers as we commenced the hike at 9:40 from a layby south of Kuri Bush.

20 Apr Kuri Bush Dave with hankie hat Noi — *Dave with hankie hat (caption & photo Noi)*

It was less than a half hour before the morning tea stop was at a prominent firm sand terrace. The tide afforded us a generous beach area for a leisurely meander that quickly changed after the Taieri River Bridge came into view.

20 Apr Kuri Bush beach scene Alex — *Taieri Island/ Moturata (photo Alex)*

It was a little exciting when a rogue seal lunged out of the water and took exception to hikers walking on his beach which required a hiker to take evasive action. I think the seal’s name may have been Vladimir.

20 Apr Kuri Bush Stand off Jenni — *Stand off (caption & photo Jenni)*

The Taieri River Bridge had a very accommodating walk way that took us to our early lunch stop at the boat trailer park on the south side of the bridge.

20 Apr Kuri Bush Pontoon sit-upon for lunch Raewyn — *Pontoon sit-upon for lunch (caption & photo Raewyn)*

Retracing our way back to the cars was an uneventful stroll that made a total distance of approximately 10 km. All 16 hikers participated in the after hike stop off at the Brighton Beach Cafe. Service at the Cafe was good as we were the only clients they had while we were there.

In the numerous times that we have done this beach walk it is the first time for us to have crossed this bridge.

20 Apr Kuri Bush Bridge cropped Alex — *Taieri River Bridge in background (photo Alex)*

Leaders were Jim and Betty Finnie.

5. 20/5/2015. Hikers. Kuri Bush, Taieri Mouth. E. Leaders: Pat and George.

31 of us emerged from our cars parked in Pat and Bill’s crib property in Kuri Bush.

Pat led us out and along the path and road behind the settlement’s properties,

Fence. (John pic) — Eye catching fence. (John pic)

then out onto the main road and eventually down onto the beach. The 11.00 a.m. low tide provided us with a good firm beach to walk on. But whoa! Alex discovered he had inadvertently left his pack behind – now a good half kilometre back. So we just sauntered along to an early morning tea

to await Alex’s return, – and Liz who had waited back for him.

The day was still and warm, a contrast with the weather back at the car park where the cold of a wind had not yet been ameliorated with any of the sun’s rays. At the mouth of the Taieri, the sandbar to the island was high and dry. We crossed several of the rocky bits alongside the river but our leisurely pace hitherto made it not worthwhile crossing the last one. So here we stopped, ate lunch and watched the tidal level slowly beginning its return.

Steps. (John pic) — Interesting steps from beach to properties, behind lunch spot. (John pic)

Not speaking? Wendy having found sand firm enough to support her seat. (John pic)

We returned. The weather forecast of a strengthening nor-wester failed. The day was still calm.

tree (John pic) — Bleached branches still there from last time. (John pic)

It was good.

About to leave beach. (John pic) — About to return from beach. (John pic)

Back to the crib. It was good to talk with Bill. Admire the house and its well-chosen paint colour. Return home. – Except that a quite large contingent resorted to Topiarys for a delightful, and at times hilarious, get together. – Ian.

4. 30/7/2014. Hikers. Kuri Bush, Taieri Mouth. Leaders: Pat and George.

Pat and Bill welcomed our cars onto their Kuri Bush property. There were about 22 of us. The path around the back of their and neighbouring properties took us past a paddock with this sturdy pony in it. Some thought it looked lonely.

The back path took us eventually out to the road further on along which we single-filed (a passing speeding car reminding us why we had to be so cautious) before we were able to plunge off down through dunes to the beach. Just where we got down onto the sand, we were surprised by a seal resting on a hard by ridge. Although it eyed us cautiously, it was not going to stir.

Further on again, we stopped in the sun for a cuppa.

A long leisurely stroll …

Article from The Wash, ODT 28/8/2014. Taken en route to Taieri Mouth. — Article from The Wash, ODT 28/8/2014. Elaine’s photo taken en route to Taieri Mouth.

… brought us to Taieri Mouth at last. As we rounded the entrance, a narrowed beach reminded us that today’s 0.3 m low tide was still on the high side.

Before we went too much further on, and as we were now at the tide’s turn, our leaders cautioned us to return through the narrowed beach neck to lunch back at the safer broader beach for lunch.

We were a long straggling group as we trudged back. It was a surprise to see our seal still keeping station by our beach exit onto the road. Back at the house, we leisured in the sun till the last of our group arrived. Then leisured a bit more. Elaine designated the coffee break for the day to be the Topiary cafe again. Once seated there, we were struck by the effectiveness of new sound-absorbing ceiling and wall panels now installed. An inquiry from this reporter elicited the information that the panels were ‘Glass Fibre Substrate’, an accoustic blanket plasterboard and glass sandwich sort of thing. – Ian.

3. 25/9/2013. Hikers. Kuri Bush, Taieri Mouth. Leader: Fred.