09/09/2026. Millennium Track to John Bull Creek Return and Livingstone Green Wetlands. Grade 3. Trampers. Leaders: Phil Morris, Clare Banks.
A good group of 17 Trampers headed out to Taieri Mouth, with the day warming up.
The tracks were a wee bit wet but provided reasonable footing for a few climbs ahead of us. As we arrived we passed a number of cribs with quite a few having been upgraded. It was a hardish trek and a disappointing end. My fault for not doing a complete and full recce. As the track prior was in reasonable condition I presumed John Bull Gully would be open. The sign to John Bull Gully said “4.5km 2.5hrs” and there was nothing saying any part was closed. Disappointing!
We did have good views from the seat after 3km of hills, and the group got a good workout. We heard amazing sounds of birdlife from tuis, bellbirds, fantails, and tomtits.
Luckily, in our tramping day we also included the Livingstone- Green wetlands where the Green family, since 1949, have looked after the wetland.
They have it predator free with a large number of birdlife listed. There are white faced herons, little pied cormorants, sacred kingfishers and grey teals hiding in dense vegetation. Sadly Alan Green (Dad) died July 2024 but his boys have continued maintaining the tracks etc. They have just put his ashes at the top of hill with a nice stone and plaque and a great view out to sea and Moturata Island.
It’s not my specialist interest, but it was impossible not to hear the birds.
Thanks Johnny G for being tail end Charlie.
11.1 km 4hrs 35.53m
Phil Morris
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.