04/09/2024. Outram Heritage Trail and Floodbank. Grade 2. Combined. Leaders: Anette MacRae, Katrina McKenzie, Cathy Ferguson, Janette Abbot.
41 happy walkers left the Outram Rugby Club carpark and headed around Outram following the heritage trail looking at old churches, halls, houses and banks.
A small group were lucky enough to be invited to have a look inside the old bank on the corner opposite the butcher’s shop.
Lots of chatter made for difficult herding by the leaders.
From there we made our way along to the bridge and up the only hill of the day to the Taieri Historical Society and Museum on the hill above the bridge for morning tea and a look around.
The volunteers were busy in the Otago Vintage Machinery Club machinery workshop, so interesting things to see. They are busy restoring a horse drawn grader.
Much more chatter and then off back down the road, under the bridge and onto the flood bank. A leisurely walk along flood banks with a stop for lunch in the sun.
After lunch further along the flood bank we arrived at the old railway line and made our way to Abbotsford farm buildings. A slight hiccup as the gate onto the road, which was meant to be open, was in fact locked. Cathy had it in hand and before too long the combination had the padlock undone. We then stopped at the monument to commemorate the 1991 World Ploughing competition.
Back to the cars via the road and some headed to Blend Outram and others for an ice cream at the dairy.
The consensus was that it was about a 10km round trip.
Thanks to Cathy for her local knowledge that put together the day’s trip and also thanks to Anette and Janette.
Katrina.
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.