14/01/2026. Heyward Point Track. Grade 3. Hikers. Leaders: Sue Beal and Jan Palmer
A small group of Hikers carpooled driving from Memorial Park towards Port Chalmers stopping at Maia to meet up with the Dunedin / Brighton hikers.
Now a group of 20 Hikers drove on and prior to Port Chalmers turned onto Borlases Road, right onto Blueskin Road and further on turning onto Purakanui Road with a final turn onto Heyward Road driving to the carpark at the very end of this road.
Through the first farm gate we walked 20 mins across farm paddocks that had obviously been very recently grazed by stock. Climbing over the first of several stiles we stopped for morning tea where this track joins the track coming up from Aramoana.
The views over the harbour entrance, Mole, Aramoana Beach and out to sea were stunning on this beautiful clear morning.
Moving on we walked along the cliff top through a plantation of pine trees dropping down into and out of a gully watching our feet on the rocks and tree roots. Over yet another stile we had a short rest before heading across farmland and into native bush.
Down the steep descent through the regenerative native bush we were accompanied by the birdsong of Tuis and presence of Fantails.
Out of the bush, through another gate onto the exposed Heyward Point, the nesting Black Backed Gulls reminded us to respect their territory.
It is another 10 minute walk along a grassed track of the clifftops to the navigational beacon,
passing a rusted winch that was part of a cable system used to winch acetylene gas bottles ashore to power the beacon.
A group of hikers followed the track further around the clifftop and looking down observed several baby seals sunning themselves on the rocks below.
Time now for lunch so we sat in the grass alongside the track once again enjoying views across to Murdering Beach and further up the coastline.
Returning back the way we came, we slowly, with several stops, climbed back up the hill appreciating some shade and a cool breeze through the native bush, back along the track to complete the 7 km walk.
Later over some refreshments at Emmerson’s Brewery we agreed that a most enjoyable day had been shared for our first walk this year.
Thank you to those who participated.
Jan and Susan
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.