15/01/2025. Akatore Creek to Taieri Mouth. Grade 3. Trampers. Leaders: Spen Walker and Jane Bruce.
We gathered at PJ Park on a fine sunny morning, and Phil welcomed us to the first trip of the year.
First we sorted out the hikers from the trampers, which left 17 of us. We resorted to getting each carload to stand with their driver, which gave us four transport cars plus one shuttle car. Over the hill to Knarston Park – we learnt it is named after Knarston’s Store which was opposite the park – where we left the shuttle car. Then on to Akatore Creek carpark where we started walking at 10am.
A few of the group had driven out to the Akatore Creek mouth (tales of youthful exuberance from Phil) but for most it was the first time here. It’s an attractive patch of coastal bush, especially with the rata coming into flower. Keeping to the true left bank, there is a bit of a scramble around the rocks where the channel cuts into the bank.
Then we went through a gap in the headland which is underwater at high tide.
By this time it was past 10.30 am, so we stopped for morning tea at the next beach.
Northward along the coast, mostly on rocky foreshore with patches of sand. A lot of seabirds – pied stilts, variable oystercatchers, the occasional shag – but no seals or sea lions.
Low tide is crucial for this walk. On the 15th, low tide was 11 am and was 0.29m above lowest possible. However, there was also a large easterly swell which complicated matters. Getting across some of the rocky inlets required good timing to avoid being caught by the waves. Some people had better timing than others!
On our recce we had a similar tide but much calmer seas, so had been able to stay on the foreshore. Unfortunately today the waves made the next section impassable so we scrambled up a gully to walk along the edge of the farmland for a while.
Descending back to the beach we passed a new crib. During the previous walk several vehicles were parked here with snorklers gathering kai moana. Ross took over as tail-end Charlie (thank you!).
With the tide coming in, we had to get around a tricky headland before lunch. Each group had to wait for the waves to recede, scamper down the beach and dodge into a cleft before the waves returned.
Then we had a three metre clamber to get out which everyone managed, with a helping hand as needed.
The next rocky bay was our lunch spot, sheltered from the easterly wind.
After lunch the coast was easier going, with wide sandy beaches and views northwards to Moturata, Saddle Hill and Otago Peninsula. Cairns, some quite artistic creations, show that people sometimes wander down this far from Taieri Mouth. Then after two more brief detours over impassable headlands we came down to Taieri Beach. From here it was a 2km trudge into a stiff wind up the almost-deserted beach. One kite surfer setting up and trying not to get blown away, and several people fishing at the river mouth.
The car shuttle took 20 minutes while the rest of us enjoyed the sunshine. Then we rendezvoused at Brighton Dairy for ice cream or coffee. A good start to the year – we hope the weather keeps smiling upon us.
The numbers: 9.9 km, 4:15 total time, 3 hours moving time, 176m total ascent.
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.