No. 83 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “McNally Track, Milton. Year Round”
Potential for Combined trip.
McNally’s Walkway, Milton – Information and Trips Library
20. 28/06/2023. Trampers. McNally’s Walkway. Grade 2.5. Leaders: Graeme Souter, Yan Campbell
Hopefully, Constable Tom McNally would have appreciated that 17 hardy trampers weren’t deterred from following the walkway named for him. A night of heavy rain and inconclusive forecasts for the day had caused Graeme a restless night, trying to decide whether to cancel or change the tramp. Much of the trail is quite exposed passing through paddocks and would have been pretty miserable in a downpour. It wasn’t actually raining at Peter Johnstone Park at 9:15 and the sky seemed to be lightening to the south. We split into four cars and headed for the cemetery at Milton and the beginning of McNally’s Walkway.
We set off in a very light rain along a fence line of the first paddock. The ground and grass were certainly wet and it was a steady climb to our stop for morning tea in a sheltered spot with a bench. There was a great view of the Taieri Plain but the hilltops were still shrouded in cloud and would remain so.
By the time we set off again the rain had stopped and the only drips were from the overhanging trees.
We took a slightly different route from other years, turning onto the Kowhai trail for the rest of the climb. It passed through a mix of native and introduced trees before opening up into paddocks of newly planted pines. By this time, we could see the summit and the haybarn where we’d have lunch. There was just one more climb before we made ourselves comfortable and ate.
After lunch we headed downhill through quite long grass which soon became a clear path at least for those of us at the back. At this point the sun broke through and this clearer light made a remarkable pattern, contrasting the long fading grass with the small green pines.
Once we were through this, there was only one more steep pitch up through some trees. From then on the walk was steadily downhill coming out onto Cemetery Road and just a short distance from the cars.
After changing out of our muddy boots and gaiters we made our way to The Black Swan in Waihola. By this time the weather was fine enough to sit outside.
The day had really turned out well. Thanks Graeme.
Yan
19. 24 November 2021. Hikers. McNally’s Track. M. Leaders: Jim Finnie & Barbara Shackell.
The 16 hikers who headed south to Milton to tackle the McNally Track included just four blokes; nine first-timers to the track…and probably 16 last-timers. (I jest! Everybody enjoyed their achievement and there was due respect for Jim and Betty who had undertaken a full recce just 6 days earlier!).
After morning tea, taken at the first available seat, we walked in a clockwise direction, following arrows for the 3.03km Main Track, downhill initially, across the creek then heading up the open ridge, all reaching the summit within 10 minutes either side of noon. A rousing rendition of “A Jolly Good Fellow” welcomed the last two to the top.
A relaxed lunch in and around the open haybarn was appreciated almost as much as the opportunity to just sit down and ponder the view out to sea.
Continuing after lunch down the Bush Track (3.73 km) to complete the loop, we grappled with an inconveniently fallen gum, a dead ewe and lamb, and some folk tackled a little track clearing and fence strainer realigning waiting for those in front to tackle the quite high stiles.
The track was well signposted/arrowed and we covered a total distance of 8.5 km with an active time of 146 minutes.
Ten intrepid hikers regathered at the Black Swan Cafe at Waihola for refreshments where at least three folk enjoyed revisiting their childhood with an ice-cream soda spider drink!
Sincere thanks to Jim for picking up the Leadership baton from Clive and seeking landholder permissions as required. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed completing the challenge, and there was general agreement it should be reclassified as “H”. I won’t mention names, as I can’t recall if it was Jenny or Ady suggested it be reclassified as “BH” – I’ll leave that for imaginations.
18. 26 May 2021. Trampers. McNally Track. M. Leaders Graeme Souter and Dave Roberts.
The McNally track is located on the hill behind Fairfax Cemetery, Tokoiti, Milton. This is maintained by members of Milton Rotary Club.
On a chilly frosty morning 5 cars headed south to Milton and parked by the cemetery (-5 degrees!).
Off up the hill we had smoko at 10.05am for 15 minutes. We enjoyed the sun looking down to magnificent views towards town.
We followed fence lines, through gates, over stiles, up paddocks round a loop of bush.
We then deviated from the cold shady track to take an easier route to the summit – being 315 metres high – arriving 11.45am. At the summit we noticed a trig station, sun dial, solar panel with mystery aerials and Nissan hay barn.
We headed down the open ridge following painted poles, then over a little stream. Up through a eucalyptus grove, up another steep paddock we re-joined the track we came up. We headed to the cars then on to Black Swan Waihola arriving 2pm for refreshments and socialising.
Although the track is only 8kms it takes a couple of hours or so and 22 trampers enjoyed the day.
A thank you to Eleanor for her help and cooperation in letting Graeme and I tap into her knowledge of the area and thank you Fegan Farm for being on their farm.
Dave Roberts
17. 17/7/2019. Trampers. McNally Track. Leader: Eleanore.
The McNally track is located on the hill behind Fairfax Cemetery Tokoiti Milton. The track opened in 1980, was named after a well respected Policeman from Milton. Built and maintained by members of the Milton Rotary Club.
On a chilly clear morning 5 cars headed south to Milton and parked by the Cemetery.
Off up the hill we did trot at 10.05am for 15 minutes(seemed longer) till we came to the seat, where we enjoyed smoko in the sun looking down towards the town.
Onwards and upwards following fence lines, through gates, over stiles, up paddocks, round a loop of bush where totara, fushia, Mahoe, miro and Matai we’re thriving and the odd gully (in places white with frost)
until the line of macrocarpa led us to the summit, arriving at 11.45am.
After admiring the views of the entire district, the ocean, and checking out places on the info. table.
We were pleased to head into the hay barn, out of the thin breeze to have lunch and a yarn.
We headed down the open ridge following painted poles , then over a little stream up through a ecucalyptus grove, up another steep paddock, where we rejoined the track we came up.
Although this track is only about 7km and takes a couple of hours or so, it is a good workout. Today we had 20 out. McNally being a new walk for 12 of our members.
We went down town to Kelly’s kitchen for our coffee and cake—joined by our 3 ice cream lickers.
Good company, good friends another good Wednesday tramp enjoyed by all. Eleanore
16. 28/2/2018. Hikers. McNally Walkway. M. Leaders: Bob and Lesley.
15. 4/5/2016. Both. McNally Walkway. Leaders: Jennifer, Dawn.
Wednesday morning, we burst out of the Taieri Valley mist into sunshine about 4 kms north of Milton and headed to the hills that lie between the coast and Milton cemetery.
McNally Track (which opened in 1980) took us up along the fence-line past the sheep, and further up past orange guide poles and over stiles to a well-placed seat, offering a panoramic view across Milton (and morning tea). Continuing upwards we had the choice of a native bush track or ‘open’ track and opted for the former which presented some mud slipping and sliding. None of this mattered, as through this part the birds’ songs rang through the trees; just beautiful.
Further on and up to the trig and sun-dial where at the top there was an awesome 360 degrees view which encouraged us to a further amble around the area and lunch under cover of the haybarn.
En route, a couple of us slipped and brought mud back to the car in places other than our boots….. but while parts of this track tested our lung capacity, the varied nature of the well-kept track made it a very pleasant tramp of Medium level, taking about two to 2 1/2 hours’ walking time. – Neil & Carol
12. 8/2/2012. Trampers. McNally Walkway.
11.3/12/2008. McNally Walkway. Leaders: George, Dot B, Glenis
There had been no recce as of course it was a track well-remembered by many of us – not. Memories fade as we age. We started off well, climbing steeply through a couple of paddocks to morning tea on a steep slope with good views.
A little further up, we were faced with a choice of direction around the top loop. We chose “main track” rather than “loop”, which resulted in us travelling anti-clockwise. Later on, on crossing a styled fence into bush, we found a track sign arrowed only backwards! What to do? Thinking the bush track must wrong for us, we came back out and pushed further up on open grass. But when we eventually reached the crest of the slope,
we were able to pick out some yellow track-poles a long way down on our left that indicating where that bush track emerged from the bush again. Ah well… So it was all the way down to rejoin the track in order to then climb back up on the other side of the gully to eventually reach the lookout and our lunch stop.
There was a great view. Signposts there helped clarify matters a bit, so with more enlightenment, and renewed confidence, we continued on our anti-clockwise loop, bravely ignoring now, any reverse-indicating arrows, and so arrived back at the loop’s stem.
There were 19 of us, and there was plenty of time so were able to unhurriedly manage the many steep bits. The weather was fine and it was good being all together. – Ian.
10. 8/9/2004. Both. McNally Track. Medium. Jim & Thelma, Evelyn C, Lance, Ria L
9. 1/5/2002 Combined. McNallys Track. Medium. Leaders: Catherine, Colleen, Ria L