Big Easy, Signal Hill, Ravensbourne, Opoho, Northern Cemetery – Information and Trips Library
Report: Combined Trampers and Hikers
Opoho Odyssey 1 June 2022
In pleasant temperatures 35 Trampers set out from the Botanical Gardens carpark to enjoy our Opoho odyssey. Our first stop was for morning tea at Tannock Glen which is an established rhododendron dell off Warden St.
Then we meandered through various streets and Ross’s well researched commentary about various points of interest was much appreciated. (This history will be available for anyone to review on a separate link). Neil added a few memories of his misspent youth in this suburb and talked about his family links to the area.
Then it was off down the zigzag to Knox College which while not strictly in Opoho has strong links to the suburb because countless staff and students lived in Opoho and worshipped and preached at the local Church in Farquharson St. Knox College actually opened in 1876 to train and house students wanting to become Presbyterian Ministers. It is now a hall of residence open to all Otago University students.
It remains a very well maintained beautiful historic building. Our guide Alec gave us an extensive tour through the various wings and a detailed commentary about the history. In the exquisite dining room which looks straight out of Harry Potter, Phil gave us a tune on the magnificent concert grand piano.
Beautiful Knox College Chapel (photo and caption John)
We all really enjoyed this tour as many had never been in this building.
It was also great to climb via steep steps onto the ramparts where we got extensive views over Dunedin.
We were invited to have our lunch in the quadrangle outside the building and could wander through the well-maintained gardens which was a pleasant interlude.
After lunch we divided into two groups and the 13 hikers set off for the top gardens and visited the aviaries. Then it was an interesting walk through the Northern Cemetery. This is a major historic landmark in Dunedin and we saw notable graves and tombs. Neil was also able to point out graves belonging to his (and Graeme Souters) great grandparents.
Most prominent in the cemetery is William Larnach’s tomb which was designed by R.A.Lawson and is a miniature replica of First Church.
The Sexton’s cottage which is maintained by the Southern Heritage Trust is also very historic.
Of interest as well are the more than 1000 heritage roses; about 500 of which were poisoned with herbicide in 2016. Heritage Roses Otago have worked tirelessly to replace the damaged plants with cuttings and many of the graves now sport new plantings. We also stopped for a few minutes to visit the memorial to Thomas Bracken who wrote the National Anthem of New Zealand.
To finish it was a walk through more tracks in the top gardens and back to the cars.
We enjoyed coffee in the café in the lower gardens.
Distance covered was about 8km. We will now hand over to Ross and Wyn to give a short account of their afternoon hike which was no doubt more strenuous!!
Neil and Margreet Simpson
We were the other group, 22 in total, that set off on the more strenuous hike. The 58 steps to the higher part of Arden Street immediately after lunch was a cruel start. We contoured around to Chambers Street which we descended a short way to find the 41 steps up to Taine Street. And then it wasn’t far to the 52 steps to Montrose Street which turned the corner into Maybank Street. Once we reached Blacks Road, it was down a short way to Grey Street and then down, down James Street to North Road.
We enjoyed the flat walking up North Road but all too soon came to Baldwin Street and another 273 steps.
Who doesn’t love Baldwin Street? (photo & caption John)
Photos at the top gave plenty of time for getting our breath back before we followed the footpath to the 85 steps down Calder Street to Primrose Bank which led us to the North-East Valley Community Garden. It was a lovely place to chat with the locals and enjoy the afternoon.
From here, it was all up; first up Dalmeny Street, where some tried to figure out if it was better to zig and zag, or to just take it straight. Eventually another 58 steps brought us to Evans Street, and a little further up Evans Street 137 steps took us to Signal Hill Road, just above the bus terminus. By this stage we were starting to feel the effects of altitude; breathing was becoming harder.
We turned into Northfield Avenue to admire the house that Neil grew up in, before descending another lane to Signal Hill Road. Not far down the road we came to the house that Margreet lived in briefly in her younger days, next door to the house that we now live in. It’s a small world.
We detoured from there around Grandview Crescent which does have a very grand view, down one last lane to Warden Street (10 more steps), identified where the track down the hill to the Big Easy goes off the top end of Blacks Road, and zoomed on back to the cars and then the café at the lower Gardens. Some of the other group were still lingering and luckily they hadn’t eaten all the cakes.
It was a pleasure planning and leading the trip with Neil and Margreet and a constant surprise learning about the parts Neil’s family have played in the history of the suburb we call home.
We learned a lot about the Opoho history preparing for the trip, and shared bits of it as we went along. Some have asked for a copy of our notes, and these are available via this link here Opoho Historical Background Notes
Not all these places were pointed out as we went around, but I’ve left them all in for anyone interested.
On the more strenuous hike, we covered about 10 kms including the morning, with about 345 metres of climbing, and a moving time of 2 ½ hours. And did we mention the steps? 628 steps up (not including climbing the Knox tower).
Ross and Wyn
`13/9/2017. Street Walk – Willowbank-Opoho. E. Leaders: Lester and Peter B.
After some difficulty in finding car parks in Duke St, 18 Hikers began their walk with a look at the Wilson’s Distillery at Willowbank.We then made our way via George, Duke & Queen streets
to our morning tea stop at Woodhaugh Gardens.
With everyone refreshed,we continued on our journey to North Rd where we split into 2 groups, the first group going up Glendining Ave, while the second (and much fitter} group went up Chambers St. When we met up again at Arden St, Lester asked the Finnies what they had seen on their climb, and they both said THE FOOTPATH.
Our next stop was a visit to Knox College,where ‘Deputy Master’ Caroline gave us a woderful guided tour of Knox for the next hour. This was particularly interesting for Ian, as his parents had both worked at the college about the time he was born.
Onwards and upwards, we headed to the Gardens for lunch. Margaret and Molly joined us here. After lunch, it was a short walk up to the new Propagating Unit, where Alice took us into the various rooms, each with >a different temperature and all the latest watering equipment.
It was all down hill from there, with the coffee drinkers calling into the Kiosk to conclude the day’s activities. A big thanks to Lester,as he had obviously done a lot of preparation in making this such an enjoyable day. -Peter B.
18 Hikers walked the Willowbank-Opoho area. Many places of interest were explained. Morning tea was enjoyed in the Woodhaugh Gardens.
Down North Road where half our group went up Glendenning Avenue and the other half up Chambers Street to report in Arden Street at the top on the merits of each.
Down to Knox College for a great conducted tour, …… with Ian adding his family connections back in the early 1930s period.
Then up to Hatfield Street to look at the spiral chimney and gate posts of a property. Lunch in the upper Gardens where we added 2 more Hikers.
After a tour of the Propagation Unit, we headed down to the lower Gardens for coffee.
Great weather, company and walk, with many interesting places. A really enjoyable day. – Lester. [Report supplied by one who never reads them and wishes he had never taken up with emails and the internet! We were all impressed by the many property features Lester pointed out to us. Thank you, Lester. – Ed.]