30. 1/05/2024. Combined. Pyramids/Victory Beach. Grade 2.5. Leaders Jenny, Alison, Wendy and Alex
A great turn out for my first time as a co leader with Alison, Wendy, Alex and John. We had a combined group of 30 trampers and hikers. We had done a recce, so no getting lost today. The weather was fine and mild ideal for tramping as we commenced our tramp across farmland passing the two pyramids formed by volcanic activity.
Near the base of the small pyramid is an ancient cave carved out by wave erosion. That was an ideal shelter for our morning tea stop and even had a few rocks to sit on.
I read that there is evidence it was occupied over 500 years ago (based on Māori oral history) and used for a shelter by a warrior recovering from his wound.
Refreshed after morning tea, we continued towards the beach following the poled markers that lead to the sand dunes and a scramble down to the beach.
The beach is named after the HMS Victory that was beached there in 1861 on its way to Melbourne. Only the flywheel remains just visible above the incoming tide. The beach is 3km, the longest and most remote beach in Dunedin. It has soft white sand and is known to be a nesting place for sealions. And further on we see one, we were careful not to disturb its peaceful sleep. There was also a flock of oyster catchers searching the beach for limpets.
The track curves around the estuary with a shelterbelt of pine trees, with a grassy spot for a lunch break and a chance to admire the coastal view in the warmth of the autumn sun.
Refreshed we continued our walk on the beach and passing the basalt pyramids we could not resist climbing the smallest and were rewarded with a specular view of Okia Flat. And a group walked out to the nearby hill to view a geological rock feature called the ‘rosette’. We made our way down the pyramid carefully not wanting to tumble down.
We returned via the farm track. I could not have imagined when I came to Dunedin that I would be climbing a pyramid. It was a great day thank you, fellow trampers and hikers for your company and to the drivers for providing transport. Jenny.
29. 21/06/2023 Hikers Victory Beach Grade 2 Leaders: Avis and Maria
The sunny day helped top off another very enjoyable walk to and along Victory Beach.
The flywheel, the only remaining evidence from the shipwreck of the “Victory “ cargo and passenger ship in 1861, was still visible and a highlight for those seeing it for the first time. The presence or two seals stopped some of us venturing too close to the flywheel.
Morning tea in the cave of the small pyramid, lunch after traversing the sandy climb to the start of the loop walk then a break back at the small pyramid while two of our 22 walkers climbed to the top of the pyramid to gain a magnificent view of the reserve and beach. We rounded the day off with a lovely afternoon tea at Glenfalloch.
28. 12/10/2022. Trampers. Victory Beach and the Pyramids. Leaders Graeme and Pam
After successfully negotiating the roadworks on Portobello Road (there where a number) a lovely spring day greeted 21 trampers upon arrival at the carpark to Okia Reserve.
Once organised the intrepid group set off along Riddle Road to the Pyramids where most took the opportunity to climb to the summit of the Little Pyramid for a pretty spectacular view of the reserve and surrounds.
Those less keen to complete the climb headed to the cave located in front of this pyramid where we all met up for our morning tea stop.
Here our intrepid photographer just had to climb the outcrops for that million dollar shot of the group enjoying their cuppa’s.
He was fearless as safety nets were not available, just a few hardy soles possibly prepared to catch him?
Once returned to the safety of terra firma we headed of along the designated track to Victory Beach.
Following the leader’s recce a few weeks previous it was decided that going down the sand dunes to Victory Beach was a much better option to climbing them.
This proved to be an inspired decision especially as once on the beach and looking back to the dunes it becomes apparent just how steep they are. Once down we headed to the end of the beach where we were greeted by a number of seals including a healthy looking pup resting contentedly on the rocks.
The group then turned and headed off for a leisurely stroll along Victory beach which according the pamphlet supplied by the DCC is almost 4kms long. After a couple of stops to regroup we soon arrived at the flywheel from the steamship the SS Victory which ran aground here in 1861, hence the name of the beach.
After dodging a group of boisterous sea lions we headed over the dunes to Papanui Inlet where once again care was needed getting down onto the flats as a number large sea lions had decided that this was their place of slumber.
Lunch was taken overlooking the Inlet and the township opposite.
With tide being so low we were able after lunch to walk around a massive fallen tree that often blocks the way along the beach to track over the wetlands that takes us back to Dicks Road and back to the cars.
The obligatory coffee was taken at the Macandrew Bay cafe at the end of a very enjoyable walk in great weather and great company. Many thanks to Pam for stepping in to assist with tail end Charlie duties.
27. 4/11//20. Combined. Victory Beach and the Pyramids. Leaders: Raewyn and Phil Keene and Shona and Keith Munro
Another perfect Wednesday for walking, and clearly everyone was up with the birds and off. The entourage lining up for the turn off to Okia was pretty impressive, and once ready to set off I counted 41 walkers headed my way, with three Ramblers heading the other
At last, it was pleasant to be on the road without eating dust, and then it was onto wetland and marsh, bringing thoughts of all those young pukekos and ‘parries’ we saw driving along Papanui Inlet.
As we shambled along the estuary, sea fog was building on the north face of Mt Charles and the Papanui Cone, and then came to greet us in a more intimate manner after morning tea, which was taken against the eroded road banks.
The Papanui Inlet Settlement of cribs across the estuary was the subject of much discussion – the area is home to the Kaimata Resort, rumoured to be visited by James Bond (aka Daniel Craig) in recent times.
Following tea we crossed a ‘rickety’ bridge that naturally became the spot for a group photo, according to Keith it started to get a bend in it so we headed off post haste.
We re-grouped at the style 0and information board, and split into a couple of groups, with one taking the high 4WD road through shrub and forest, while the low road was the estuary – both regrouping proper on Victory Beach, the longest beach on the Peninsula. The turquoise waters of the estuary were rather eerie with the sea fog dancing into the inlet.
After admiring the fly wheel of the Victory, so clear at low tide, Art and Keith provided some info on the wreck of the Victory, strange to think alcohol may have played a part! Wikipedia tells me that 3 weeks after the sinking an auction on the beach sold off cargo, equipment and the hull for 1900 pound (the real value thereof being 25,000 pound).
As we set off for an uninterrupted 30-40 minute stretch to the lunch spot, a look back showed the sea fog had all but disappeared, and with low tide we were able to swing pass the sea lions with ease.
Cameras had to be set on panorama in order to get the lunch line up. Then we split in to Team X to head across to the Pyramids, while Team Y headed off down to the north end of the beach and thence climbed the rather steep, but clear sand track, into the regenerating bush.
With the main grassed track in the area unable to be accessed, due to the steep eroded banks, it was necessary to bush bash a track that clearly has missed tourist feet over the last 8 months or so; having slashed our way through a healthy crop of Onga onga we did emerge on the link track shown on Google Maps and then made swift progress to the turn off to the Margaret Hope Slope (an area of restored native forest with help from YEPT and DOC); here a Team Z decided to head back to the Little Pyramid and road line to the cars, while the rest headed up the Slope to follow the fence line to the ascent. Along the way we saw numerous skinks and appreciated a great view of flowering cabbage trees in the forefront of the Big Pyramid and Wickliffe Bay.
In the meanwhile Team X had crossed to the Little Pyramid, some entering the basalt cave for the first time, all evidence of Moa and Human bones dating back 500 years no longer apparent. 3 of the team ascended Little Pyramid to enjoy the moment ……
14 adventurous climbers from Team Y dropped packs and supported and cajoled each other up and down the Big Pyramid, enjoying stupendous 360 degree views of the area.
Once on flat ground we headed back to the cars at a fairly quick clip, wanting to make good our promise to be at Penguin Place in Portobello, where we found the first sitting had repleted; good coffee was served in takeaway cups, and then in a rather lovely manner supplemented by very fresh apple muffins.
Team Y completed an approximate 12km walk and Team X 9km.As part of backyourbackyard initiative a video on the Pyramids can be seen at https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/dunedin/121968827/okia-reserve-dunedin-the-great-pyramids-of-aotearoa
Phil for Raewyn, Shona and Keith.
26. 21/8/2019. Hikers. The Pyramids and Victory Beach Hike. E. Leadesr: Diane P and Jill D.
Twenty one hikers enjoyed a sunny but at times blustery day in the Victory Beach and Pyramids environs. The day began with a scenic drive along the peninsula road with a few stops for roadworks (new cycleway development). After meeting up again in Portobello we set off for the Dick Road carpark.
In time, all of our group arrived at Dick Road and we set off through the saltmarsh reserve, Across the Okia salt marsh,
then along a track beside the Papanui Inlet
that lead to the stunning Victory Beach. The wind was strong but a sheltered spot in the dunes was found for lunch.
After lunch we briefly viewed the intriguing SS Victory fly wheel
and then continued along the beach until we came to the track leading off to the pyramids. Once at the pyramids we split into groups with one group taking the track around the large pyramid and another group climbing the small pyramid. There were, of course, some energetic people who did both. We regrouped at the carpark and finished the day with refreshments at the café in Portobello.
It was a great day with varied scenery, some challenges and plenty of sunshine. – Diane P.
25. 1/11/2070. Both. Papanui Inlet, Victory Beach and Pyramids. E. Leaders: Bruce and Liz.
Report 1 November 2017. Pyramids and Victory Beach.
Thirty-five hikers and trampers set off from the Pyramids car park in Dick Road at approximately 9. 45 am towards Papanui Inlet passing 7 Sheldrake ducklings and their parents in a pond on the way.
We entered into the saltmarsh at the sign and followed a path to the inlet, turned to the left, walked approximately 400 m around the edge of the inlet, and then climbed a small bank on the left to get on to the 4-wheel drive track. We went along this about 100 m to a relatively sunny spot for morning tea.
After morning tea, we continued along the 4-wheel drive track towards the sea crossing a plank bridge and then the style into the DCC Okia reserve. We continued on the track to where it veered to the left into the scrub and went instead to the right down a small bank on to the sand bordering the inlet. The bank was about 10 m before where the concrete square on the bank used to be. The square has now fallen down the level of the inlet. We proceeded around the edge of the inlet on relatively firm sand. The tide was coming in, with at 2.0 m high tide due at 3.16 pm. We soon met our first sea lion sleeping in the sun and later sitting up in the water facing us and periodically giving us a view of its oral cavity.
Another sea lion was on the point and lumbered towards us before settling down to rest. After turning to the left around the point of the beach we proceeded up the beach. A group of four sea lions consisting of a mother and 3 younger members of the species where resting…
…near the site of the 1861 Victory wreck, the upper crescent of the fly wheel of which was visible periodically when the waves subsided. We were strung out along the beach as we travelled north passing another sea lion and a dead sea lion or seal pup in a state of partial decomposition.
We congregated for lunch at the foot of the sand hills, about 70 m before the track leading to the pyramids, between approximately 12. 15 pm and 12.30 pm.
After lunch a group of 16, led by Arthur, departed slightly before rest with the intention of returning to the car park via the end of the beach, the large pyramid and then the small pyramid.
The remaining 19 went 70 m north to enter the track to the pyramids which is marked by a yellow and black pole, approximately 50 cm high, in a steel square framework. After passing a board referring to the wildlife we split into two further groups with 7 continuing on the grassy track straight ahead to the pyramids, and then the car park, while the other 12 turned to the right and followed a more circuitous route via some initially longish grass, the rosette, and the Margaret Hazel slope turnoff to the cave in the small pyramid which, uncharacteristically, had water covering the floor.
Approximately 6 members then climbed the small pyramid.
We were then met by the returning trampers and, after some more pyramidal ascents were mad,e we returned to the carpark and then, for most of us, had refreshments at the Bay Café, Macandrew Bay.
A pond was present just before the rosette and a temporary bridge and detour was present on the track just after the Margaret Hazel slope turnoff because the track was flooded. The track was partially built up for a few metres near the small pyramid, evidence of a wetter than usual winter. Some pot holes were present in Weir Road. The Pyramids/Victory beach area remains as a place where a level round walk with varied scenery in the country is possible.
The weather was good with some early mist, relatively high temperatures and a cooling breeze on the beach. The distance travelled, depending on the route chosen was approximately 10.5 to 13 km. Including the rosette and the small pyramid ascent the distance was 11.7 km.
My thanks are due to Liz Griffin for stepping in and performing admirably as co-leader/back marker at short notice.
– Bruce
Trampers’ addendum report.
16 trampers left the main group after the lunch stop, and continued along the beach to the north end. It was rather a scramble to get up the steep sand dune, to find that the track along the top was quite overgrown. However the leader unerringly led the group 100 metres or so until the mown track was reached, and easy going.
As we took a last look at the sea,
2 or 3 porpoises were spotted frolicking in the surf. The wildlife was wonderful today.
12 trampers climbed to the top of the big pyramid,
to gain the superb views on offer. Down again, we continued and caught up with the Hikers, the last of whom were just descending the small pyramid.
4 trampers also ascended it, to claim having climbed both pyramids today.
And so we returned to the cars together, after a most enjoyable day’s tramp. – Art.
24. 2/11/2016. Both. Papanui Inlet, Victory Beach and Pyramids. E. Leaders: Marjorie and Bruce.
Thirty-one hikers and trampers met at the Pyramids car park on Dick Road at 9.50 am on a calm sunny morning. Low tide at Dunedin was 0.3 m at 1258 and the Papanui Inlet tide is about 1 hour later. Three of the group (Leslie, Bev and Molly) accepted the shorter route option of taking the direct yellow-marker route to Victory Beach via the Pyramids while the other 28 proceeded via Dick Road past some bovine mothers and children who found us to be of interest.
Bruce
We entered the salt marsh by crossing the ditch opposite the sign
and walked straight ahead to the estuary before turning left for approximately 400 m …
… to have morning tea on the 4-wheel drive track approximately 200-300 m from the gate at the north end of the road. Overgrowth of the lupins and bank erosion made it easier to walk on the estuary for a distance to where the bank up to the 4-wheel drive track was less steep. A suitable morning tea site, with access to the pine forest and some logs for sitting on, was present after the barbed wire fence on the left stopped.
After morning tea we proceeded along the track, over the railway sleeper bridge and then the style into the Okia Reserve and followed the track with white markers to the estuary edge where a large concrete block was present. The bank was eroded here and most of us went down a slightly easier place a few metres before the block.
We then walked on the firmer sand near the water’s edge going to the end of the estuary, passing some Paradise (Sheldrake) ducks and then around the sandy point with dunes to Victory Beach. We paused to inspect two sea lions.
The fly wheel of the Victory was partly submerged.
[Scroll down to (20. 16/7/2014 tramp report) to view a new photo insertion (I’ve just learnt how to make out of a video frame), of Bruce standing on top of the Victory flywheel back at that date. (There’s also a video to click on just below it.) – Ian.]
At 12.05 pm the groups of 3 and 28 merged and we lunched on the sand at the base of the track marked by an orange pole and two green crayfish pot floats.
After lunch Molly and Clive followed the shorter option path back to the Pyramids and cars while the other 29 took the 4-wheel drive track to the right and then when almost at the cliffs at the end of the beach turned to the left to follow the track around to the rock rosette.
We continued on the loop track to the Margaret Hazel Slope track.
Five of the trampers made a detour from here back to the cars via the top of the large Pyramid.
![Us on top. (Helen pic and caption.) [of smaller pyramid - Ed.]](https://trtc.blogtown.co.nz/files/2016/04/H-140913Us-on-top-copy.jpg)
Approximately 8 persons took the 10 minute track up to the top of the small Pyramid for the expansive viewbefore following the others back to the cars via Dick Road. Everyone was back at the car park by approximately 3 pm and refreshments were consumed at the Portobello Café.No major calamities occurred on the day. A potential problem may occur if the track up the small pyramid is strayed from because of the steepness of the terrain. The persistent sun may have caused some sunburn. The route followed requires the low tide to be at an appropriate time.
The distance travelled by the main group was approximately 12.3 km with the small and large pyramid ascents adding approximately another 0.15 and 1.2 km respectively. – Bruce.
23. 20/4/2016. Trampers. Pyramids, Victory Beach and Papanui Inlet. Leaders: Neil and Margreet.Ten trampers set out at 0945 on a warm autumn day to explore this scenic reserve and beach. We stopped for morning tea at a well concealed cave
… lazing on the sand and gambolling in the waves. There was also a lone, grounded Mollymawk …
… on the beach, seemingly injured.
Once we reached the end of the beach we turned into the Papanui Inlet and had lunch in a scenic spot where we were entertained by young seals frolicking in the water nearby.
We meandered around the inlet and then followed the gravel road back to the car-park.
As we had made good time, it was decided to drop our packs at this stage, and do some more exploring. Four trampers climbed Little Pyramid
and the other six went up the larger pyramid
via Margaret Hazel Slope. It was worth the clamber to get great views of the beach and surrounding hills from the summits.
A coffee stop at Portobello completed an enjoyable day’s outing.
In total we walked 11.85 km. – Margreet and Neil Simpson
22. 13/5/2015. Hikers. Pyramids. E. Leaders: Chris and Adrienne. Later: also Bruce.
21. 12/11/2014. Hikers. Pyramids. E. Leader: Bruce, with Bev as back-up.
Twenty-two intrepid hikers were undeterred by the forecast of an afternoon southwesterly change and after proceeding through Portobello to Weir Road turned left into Dick road and parked at the Pyramids and Victory Beach car park. They crossed the style and proceeded along the Riddle Road causeway, through the gate at the end and passing to the left of the little pyramid turned to the right on the beach track (not to the left on the loop) and, a short way along, took a short track to the right to have morning tea in the cave at the little pyramid.
We confirmed the basalt blocks were five rather than six sided.
After morning tea, we retraced our steps and turned to the left onto the loop track. We passed the Margaret Hazel slope (marker 4) noting that one can reach the top of the large pyramid by going up it and turning left. (Earlier we noted a 10 minute track to the top of the small pyramid started just after the gate at the end of the Riddle Road causeway). We continued to the right on the loop track and stopped at marker 6 to view the circular rock rosette feature …
… on the cliff face. Antony Hamel describes this as a 30 m wide pod of lava which is inaccessible to grazing animals and that it contains less common native plants such as the Easter orchid.
We should then have turned sharp right to the yellow marker pole and then a sharp left to the beach at markers 8 and 9 but ended up on a more circuitous route ending up with a short slide to the beach.
We proceeded down Victory Beach noting one sea lion and a partially submerged Victory flywheel (1861) just before the end of the beach where we found sheltered spots for lunch at 12.10 pm.
Another sea lion was resting at the water’s edge between our lunch spot and the inlet. After lunch we travelled along the water’s edge to where a grass track leading to the cribs starts. It was marked on the bank by a concrete rectangle but one needed to climb up the bank to see it. It was just past the end of the pine trees between the cribs and Victory beach. Some of our party overshot the turnoff and rejoined the track further on while others backtracked a little to get onto the grassy track. We all met up again …
… just before the locked gate and stile at the boundary of the Okia reserve.
After crossing the style we continued along the grassy vehicle track on the inlet side of the fence separating the inlet from the property of Jason Clearwater. We crossed over a somewhat rickety bridge containing a round fencepost alongside the rectangular hardwood decking. At the end of the grass track we came to a locked gate with an inverted Private Property sign. We went down a track then to the left of the gate and along the inlet beach until level with the sign, about 300 m on, marking the salt flat conservation area. We headed at right angles to the sign along a narrow path alongside a snail-containing water course to a corresponding sign next to Dick Road. We crossed the relatively firm ground in the ditch beside the sign on to Dick Road and then walked, mainly in the sun, back to the carpark where we arrived at 1.55 pm.
Distance travelled 11.73 km by Garvin GPS, 10.6 km by Iphone, 12.33 -12.48 km by pedometer. Overall the weather could have been worse. A cold wind blew for a short time near the end of Victory beach and some spots of rain fell shortly after lunch leading us to put on our coats but it soon stopped and it was not enough to get wet with. Several of the group stopped for coffee or fruit juice at MacAndrew Bay …
… on the return journey to Mosgiel. Thanks were expressed to Bruce for leading and Bev for backmarking. – Bruce.
20. 16/7/2014. Hikers. Victory Beach. Leaders: Bruce and Marjorie.
A Flywheel. (of wrecked Victory)
And A rare extremely-low-tide video of the Victory Flywheel, with Bruce standing on the top
19. 24/11/2010. Trampers. Ryans Beach. M.
18. 11/8/2010 Hikers Pyramids, Victory Beach. Easy. Leaders: Dorothy, Chris.
17. 19/8/2009 Hikers Victory Beach, return road. Easy. Leaders: Mollie.
16. 29/7/2009 Trampers. Larger of two pyramids, Victory Beach, return lupins. Leaders: Arthur H, Ian.
click to enlarge
15. 1/10/2008. Both. Pyramids, Victory Beach. Medium. Leaders: Bill H. Lesley, Molly.
14. 20/2/2008 Pyramids, Victory Beach. Leaders: Bob, Neil.
Another lovely Wednesday, as we have come to expect over the years. Large muster of 21 hikers today, due possibly because it was another beach walk and a very popular one at this time of the year. It was the Pyramids and Victory beach. After parking cars and getting everyone organised and over the stile, it was along to the Pyramids for morning tea. Refreshed and ready to go, it was on down the track to the beach. How very pleasant and enjoyable it was. The sun made the sea really sparkle, and the seals and sea lions were out frolicing or lying in the sun relaxing on the rocks or the sand as the fancy took them. We went to the left first as far as we could to the rocks. Then we turned round and walked to the other end of the beach, watching the seals and sea lions playing or resting as we went along. Cameras got plenty of use and I’m sure we’ve got some good photos to keep in our collections. Lunch was at the Papanui Inlet end of the beach and a very pleasant place to sit and relax it was. On round the end of the beach and back across the grass by the cribs and then the swampy bit to the road. Some of us didn’t have to walk all the way back to cars as Bob H. and Peter went and picked up drivers to save some of that road walking. Very good hike, enjoyed by all. – Bev
12. 15/2/2006. Hikers. Pyramids, Victory Beach. Leaders: Les and Margaret, Mary M.
11. 27/10/2004. Both. Pyramids, Victory Beach. Easy. Leaders: Graham, Ian, Ann R, Chris, Betty
Great write up & fotos. Tnx to All .Angela
Sounds like an excellant day