11/02/2026. Kuri Bush Road/ Otokia Road Forest Walk. Grade 3. Hikers. Leaders: Neville Griffiths and Rhonda Wilson
A convoy of cars left the Brighton Cafe for a trip of 13 kms downTaieri Mouth Road ……
where we found someone who now lives in Taieri Mouth waiting for us at the intersection with Otokia-Kuri Bush Road. Turning onto this recently regraveled road we found enough space for parking at the intersection with Maori Point Reserve Road for 28 people to start our hike. After approx 1.5 kms we found a spot for our morning cuppa overlooking the coast with Moturata Island directly in front of us.
We could see a strip of light sky along the horizon and were hoping this was the beginning of the grey overcast conditions starting to clear as promised! Someone also noticed on the way up a line of road cones had been placed alongside the parked cars? We had also noticed the hay had recently been baled in the paddock opposite so decided it was marking the cars for the local farmer accessing the gate and not backing into them. (I think this was right as they were all still there and not damaged when we returned).
There was a little drizzle as we walked back onto Otokia Road turning left and a mostly downhill past Dicksons Road before entering the Wenita Forest to do a loop track exiting a few kms south onto Otokia Road again. Once we entered the forest the canopy provided us with dry sheltered conditions. We encountered a few obstacles as some fallen trees had us crawling under, climbing over or squeezing round to pass.
However no problems for our seasoned walkers. A lunch spot was found and a lot of chat happened during that break.
Leaving the forest loop we walked back to the cars and headed off to Ocean View.
It was Neville’s final hike before leaving to live up on the Kapiti Coast on Friday where he will be closer to family and he probably thinks better weather?? (I”m sure he will enjoy that other beautiful piece of NZ). Therefore he wanted to shout for his fellow hikers, and not a coffee at the cafe, so we found another venue where 9 more arrived, the weather absolutely turned it on and a good time farewelling our hiking mate was had by all. He will be away by the time he reads this but we wish him well and know he will miss the banter he contributes to whenever out.
Rhonda
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.