Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

1. 25/02/2024-01/03/24. Queenstown Tracks. Combined. Leaders Anne Bennett

Our group arrived at Lakeland Christian Youth Camp on Sunday 25th February to a lovely hot afternoon and spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu. Once unpacked our 1st cooking group prepared the first of many great meals.

Monday 26th
Combined tramp from Kelvin Heights to Jacks Point 12.75km. We positioned cars at the Jacks Point finish in the morning prior to departure. Starting from the Bayview Reserve our walk took us along the lake front, past the Earnslaw dry dock and yacht club and around the point where we had morning tea beneath 3 lovely billy goats (statues). We proceeded further along the track to Jardine Park where we had lunch with lovely lake views, then finished with a long walk to Jacks Point where we watched golfers, paragliders at a high point on the track, then down to our vehicles, finishing with a drink at Farmhouse Café at Hanley’s Farm.

Tuesday 27th
Trampers started their day with a taxi van ride into Queenstown to the start of the Ben Lomond (Tiki Trail) to tackle the days hike to the saddle (1326m) for lunch. Four hardy souls Ross, Rod, Lyn & Pam decided to complete their walk with a trip to the summit (1700m).

Hikers had an enjoyable day walking round Lake Hayes circuit ending up with a coffee in Arrowtown, lovely sunny day with amazing views 8km.

Wednesday 28th
We all started by travelling to Moke Lake for a joint morning tea, then the Trampers departed for the Mt Crichton car park to commence their tramp on the Mt Crichton Loop 9.5km. Beautiful beach forest, gold mining sites, the sluiced canyon, tailrace tunnel and a look around the house and site artifacts of Sam Summers and his family with a lunch stop overlooking Lake Dispute. Amazing views then descending other side and back to cars.

Hikers completed their 6.5km loop track of Moke Lake.

Thursday 29th
Hikers were dropped off at Arrow Junction Road and proceeded on the track under main road to start their walk to Arrowtown along the river trail. Very relaxing with great scenery, on arrival at Arrowtown they walked up the Arrow River track to meet the Trampers for lunch.

Trampers parked up at Arrowtown car park then started up Tobin’s Track and onto New Chumm Track. A steep climb to the top of the track, then sidling round the hills and back down to the Arrow bridge where we stopped for an enjoyable lunch break beside the river.

Finished with a 1.5km walk along pipeline with the Hikers to our cars 9km. Such a hot dry day everyone needed refreshments at a local bar. Great end for everyone’s effort.

Friday 1 March
Clean up prior to departure for home.

Thanks to Pam, Jenni and Karen for organising your cooking groups and delivering such delicious meals for everyone. Well done, we’ll keep you on for next time!! A superb 5 days with glorious weather and excellent accommodation. Regards Anne