18/03/2026. Doctors Point/Mopanui. Grade 4. Trampers. Leaders: Graeme Souter and John Barrett.
Ba Humbug what’s a bit of rain when it’s tramping day and the Met Service says it’s going to clear?
So it was with supreme confidence and some crossed fingers that 17 keen (or perhaps mad) trampers rendezvoused at Waitati to convoy to the Doctors Point beach carpark. The tide was in our favour so a leisurely stroll along the beach ensued.
Any sign of rain had disappeared as promised by Met Service and after negotiating some treacherous rocks at the Mapoutahi Pa site at the end of the beach (only 1 casualty with tail end charlie taking a tumble) we had morning tea on the beach looking towards Warrington / Seacliff.
Another leisurely stroll followed along the road next to Purakanui Inlet to begin our climb to Mopanui via Osborne and the McKessar track.
An hour or so later after walking through bush and scrambling up over rocks we emerged onto the summit to a clear but windy Mopanui and a much deserved lunch.
After lunch we descended through the bush on a fairly rocky track to Mopanui Road next to the predator proof fence at the Orokanui Nature Reserve. This took us to the junction of the McKessar Track and the new Coastal Link Bike Track.
From here we continued along the Mopanui ridge track through the lovely bush known as Davids Bush, then descending down White Road to Doctors Point Road and back to the cars.
A total of 14 kms were covered today, with a 479 m climb and a travelling time a bit over 5.40 hours. A check against the grading criteria confirmed that this tramp should be graded as 4. A great day out – thanks to all who took the gamble on the elements to come tramping and to John B who did a sterling job of leading the group for the first time. Graeme Souter
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.