21/05/2025. Sandymount. Grade 3. Hikers. Leaders: Jenni & Bruce Wright.
Thanks to whoever ordered a perfect day weatherwise. We were really happy considering our previous trip had to be aborted because of a howling Southerly, low visibility and driving rain.
Today 31 of us met at the Sandymount Reserve carpark and most of us had morning tea overlooking Hoopers Inlet, Allan’s Beach and Papanui Inlet. Bruce, Phil and Noel were ferrying cars to Ridge Road. As they missed out on morning tea, sweet treats were provided.
We headed off through the gorgeous macrocarpa tunnel forest, sensing the tranquillity of the area.
We then emerged onto farmland where the sheep were obviously used to two legged creatures and didn’t bat an eyelid as we made our way to the lookout, once again giving stunning peninsula views and an opportunity for the group pic.
From here, the DOC markers have been removed, so the benefits of doing a reccie were evident as we proceeded on our way.
There was magnificent birdsong although much of this was overshadowed by happy hikers chatting about all matters known to man. The sea battered cliffs were impressive as were the lichen covered rocks, wind swept shrubs, fuchsia trees with their peeling bark and distinctive branch formations.
Eventually we made our way down to the beach, almost skiing down with our poles, where there were many sea lions. They were fairly active, so we proceeded in a pack and kept a good eye on their whereabouts. We picked what we thought was a safe place for lunch, but the sea lions had other ideas, and we had to make a hasty exit off their turf and along to the end of the beach to continue our lunch.
We followed the well signposted track alongside Morris Creek, through sand dunes and then through farmland which exited at Ridge Road. It wasn’t a long hike, around 8 kms but very rewarding as many hadn’t been to that part of the peninsula before. The terrain was varied as tussock grass, sheep trails, farmland, sand dunes etc.
Many thanks to everyone who came and enjoyed the day with us, for being good sports when we had an interrupted lunch and to Phil and Noel for providing a very practical solution to avoid another 2 km slog uphill to Sandymount Reserve carpark. Coffee was at Nicols, which was a great venue for such a large group.
Bruce and Jenni
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.