29/07/2026. Camp Road and Greenacres. Grade 3. Trampers. Leaders: Gail Williams and Yan Campbell.
The weather gods were certainly co-operative on Wednesday when 28 of us set off from Macandrew Bay towards Company Bay on our way to Larnach Castle.
It’s a tramp the club does quite regularly so most of us had walked it before and knew what to expect. As Ross once commented it’s a perfect grade 3 tramp. I briefly considered reversing the route but the Greenacres Track is the ideal way to finish so it was a no-brainer to stick to the tried and true direction. The light was perfect for the stunning views and the way the sunlight reflected off the water.
The harbour was calm as we walked along the harbour to Mactaggart Road. The bike path had been quite treacherous when we did the recce so it was a relief there were no slippery patches on the tarmac. Within 20 minutes we turned into the Native Plant Nursery, which is where the Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust propagates the plants used to enhance the penguins’ habitats over much of the southern South Island. Its manager, Louise, gave us a very interesting talk on the history and aims of the Trust. Wednesday is volunteers’ day and there must have been a dozen people potting up plants.
We decided that we needed a bit more exercise before morning tea. We had this in a stand of Macrocarpa, where fallen logs provided a few comfortable perches.
After a relatively short walk through farmland we were greeted by our first vista – St Martins/Quarantine Island in the foreground surrounded by the still waters of the harbour and Port Chalmers in the distance.
We were soon on the well established path which climbs steadily up to the gravel road that leads eventually to Larnach Castle.
On our recce we’d been told of the perfect place for lunch, a grassy knoll just below the gravel road which eventually joins Highcliff Road. This was a great recommendation.
There was even a wee picnic table. The view was amazing – stretching all the way from Aramoana, to Taiaroa Heads, before sweeping past Victory Beach on to Hoopers Inlet and Allens Beach,with Harbour Cone and Mount Charles in the foreground.
It was a little difficult to tear ourselves away from such a pleasant spot but the rise to Pukehiki was relatively gentle, with easy terrain on gravel and then sealed roads through the wee village. We then dropped down onto Greenacres Track,
which led us through Macrocarpa woods, then along a pleasant stream until we reached the houses. We were soon back where we started and ready for a coffee or ice cream.
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.