16/07/2025. Heyward Point from Aramoana. Grade 3.5. Trampers . Leaders: Karen McInnes, Gail Williams.
Twenty-three well rugged up trampers left cars at the bottom of the start of the Heyward Track and began the steep ascent to the top.
Author: Ross
Taieri Mouth
16 /7/2025. Taieri Mouth. Grade 2.5. Hikers. Leaders: Alex Griffin, Adrienne Ensor.
25 hikers were greeted with a lovely sunny day when we assembled at Knarston Park in Taieri Mouth, with only a slight breeze coming off the sea. Continue reading “Taieri Mouth”
Sandymount
21/05/2025. Sandymount. Grade 3. Hikers. Leaders: Jenni & Bruce Wright.
Thanks to whoever ordered a perfect day weatherwise. We were really happy considering our previous trip had to be aborted because of a howling Southerly, low visibility and driving rain.
Hereweka Harbour Cone Future Forest – Background Information
The Hereweka Harbour Cone block of 328ha where the Future Forest is, was bought by the DCC in 2008. Since 2015 it has been managed by the Hereweka Harbour Cone Charitable Trust Continue reading “Hereweka Harbour Cone Future Forest – Background Information”
Ross Creek, Lower Leith Valley, Wakari Rd Bike Park, McGouns, Pineapple and Davies Tracks – Information and Trips Library
Scope:
This grouping of Club tramps and hikes covers trips involving Woodhaugh, Leith Valley up to Islay Street, Pineapple Track up to Flagstaff (Skyline) Track, Davies Track, McGouns Track, Wakari Rd Bike Tracks, Ross Creek Reserve, Cannington Road and Prospect Road.
Background Information:
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 4. This is indicative only, as trips can be allocated a higher or lesser grading depending on the route taken. For more detailed analysis refer to Grading Information.
Dunedin’s Water Supply.
Pineapple Track: Information.
Pineapple and Flagstaff Walk.St. E
How To Get There:
There are multiple entrances to Ross Creek
(1) Leith Valley – take SH1 north and turn left onto Duke St. Continue on Duke St which merges into Malvern St, past the Woodhaugh Gardens, over the bridge spanning the Leith River and turn immediately into Woodhaugh St. Ross Creek entrance is behind the NZMCA Camping Ground.
Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:
15/10/2025. Pineapple Track/ Ross Creek. Hikers. Grade 3. Leaders: Wendy Langley, Val Cayford.
01/10/2025. Ross Creek Reservoir. Combined. Grade 3. Leaders: Yan Campbell, Graeme Souter, Jenni Wright, Wendy Langley.
28/08/2024. Ross Creek and Davies Track. Trampers. Grade 4 Leaders: Ross Davies and Sarah McCormack.
Ross Creek and Environs (1990 – 2024, 34 trips including 15 with reports).
Booth Road, McGouns, Pineapple Track, Ben Rudd (1990 – 2023, 9 trips including 4 reports).
Spiers Road, Davies, McGouns Creek Extension (2009 – 2023).
Bull Ring, Swampy, Nicols, Pt Pineapple, Davies, return (1989 – 2020, 4 trips, 2 with reports including 16/09/2009 Davies Track)
Davies Track, Ben Rudd (1995 – 2014, 5 trips with 1 report – see also
Warburton Track ?aka. Davies Track?).
Big (Bivvy) Rock, Pineapple, Davies, Firebreak (1991 – 2012, 3 trips with 2 reports).
Nicols Creek, Swampy Saddle, Davies Track (2001 – 2011, 3 trips with 2 reports).
Bull Ring, Flagstaff Walkway, Pineapple, McGoun, Davies, return Nicols Creek, Swampy Saddle, Davies Track (2010, 1 trip with report).
Davies Track, Jim Freeman (2000, 1 trip with no report). Continue reading “Ross Creek, Lower Leith Valley, Wakari Rd Bike Park, McGouns, Pineapple and Davies Tracks – Information and Trips Library”
Jenni’s Ginger Truffles Recipe
Jenni’s Ginger Truffles Recipe: We all enjoyed the lovely treats at morning tea time, thanks to Jenni and Bruce! Jenni told me that lots of people asked for this recipe.
Ginger Truffles
250 g gingernut biscuits
395 g condensed milk
60 g glace ginger
3 cup desiccated coconut
220 g dark chocolate
1/2 cup shredded coconut *to decorate
1. Line baking sheets with baking paper. In a food processor, process gingernut biscuits until fine. (To easily crush the biscuits, I heat oven to about 140-150, pop biscuits in until they are starting to go slightly soft, about 10 mins, then easy to blitz in kitchen whiz).
2. Chop desired amount of glace ginger into fine pieces.
3. In a medium bowl mix together the crushed biscuits, condensed milk, chopped glace, ginger and desiccated coconut.
4. Place the mixture in the fridge for at least half hour – rolling the balls is much easier when the mixture is cool. If you would like to coat some of the balls in shredded coconut, do that now while the mixture is sticky.
5. Roll bite-size balls and place on a plate. Refrigerate again before coating with chocolate.
6. Melt the chocolate. Coat truffles in melted chocolate and place on baking paper to set.
You may also like to keep some truffles plain/uncoated.
See 5 October 2022 Abbotsford and Environs.
Ady’s Nut Fudge Recipe
Original recipe: Bliss Balls
1 1/2 Cups ground almonds
1/4 Cup chocolate protein powder
2 Tbspn Maple Syrup
2 Tbspn peanut butter
120gm dark chocolate
Coconut flakes garnish
My recipe: Nut Fudge
1 1/2 cups ground almonds
1/4 Cup Cocoa
2 Tbspn runny honey
2 Tbspn Peanut Butter
120 gms chocolate chips
Roasted Peanuts roasted blitzed
Dates cut in half.
If you double recipe you also need 2 ozs butter approx.
Put chocolate chips, dates, runny honey & in basin in oven or microwave what ever container using. Give a good stir when melted & put with dry ingredients in beater combine.
Double mixture is big enough for Swiss Roll tin.
Press Coconut over top & put in fridge to set.
from Ady Whitson August 2024.
(see 14/08/2024. Taieri Mouth Excursion.)
Bannockburn Camp 2023- Hiking, Tramping and Biking
3 -10 March 2023. Bannockburn. Trampers and Hikers and Bikers. Leaders: Anne and Rod Ward.
The club planned a trip to Bannockburn for three days of tramping and three of bike rides. This all started on Friday 3rd of March with accommodation at the old Bannockburn school now run by the Otago Outdoor Education Trust. Accommodation was a mix of the old schoolhouse, an attached cottage and the barracks for boys and girls at the other end. Anne and Rod had a full programme of activities for the six days, including delegating the evening meals to teams for the first four nights, this included providing nibbles, main course, dessert, and home baking for supper.
Friday 3rd March – Day 0
Travelled to Bannockburn and settled into the camp. It was a beautiful hot afternoon/evening under the veranda soaking up the atmosphere. With rooms sorted some had a swim, others happy to watch. Team 1 prepared scrumptious ham, salads, etc as required for the duty team.
Saturday 4th March – Tramping
Link to Day 1 tramping report: Kanuka Track and Trail to Old Cromwell Town.
Sunday 5th March – Tramping
Link to Day 2 tramping report: Kawarau River Track.
Monday 6th March – Tramping
Link to Day 3 tramping report: Bannockburn sluicings, Stewart Town and Long Gully Loop Track.
Tuesday 7th March – Biking
Link to Day 4 biking report: Bannockburn Camp to Smiths Way and return.
Wednesday 8th March – Biking
Link to Day 5 biking report: Lake Dunstan Trail and Millennium Track to Alexandra.
Thursday 9th March – Biking
Link to Day 6 biking report: Gibston to Arrowtown and Back.
Friday 10th March
All that remained to do for those who stayed overnight was to pack up, tidy up, and head back home.
Thanks to all cooking groups for preparing and organizing meals, that were varied and enjoyable, great menus for the week.
Also to all the drivers for ferrying us to various start and pickup points, your service was invaluable and very much appreciated.
Overall our accommodation was well suited for our tramping group. Bannockburn Outdoor Trust was very obliging to our needs. I’m sure we’ll return for more adventures.
Thanks, Anne
Bannockburn Camp Day 1: Kanuka Track and Trail to Old Cromwell Town.
Saturday 4th March – Tramping
Day 1 – Kanuka Track plus Trail to Old Cromwell Town.
Lunches made, the tramping group (20) travelled to the Bendigo DOC Historic Reserve to complete the Kanuka Loop Track – 14kms from the Cromwell bridge to the turnoff onto Bendigo Loop Road and onto Mines Road to the carpark. The day was overcast with periods of drizzle so required jackets off and on as needed.
This track is 10.6km long, with elevation gain of 487vertical metres. It is a rugged trail with steep sections, but the elevation gains give you views from the Old Woman Range to the Saint Bathans. Underfoot it’s a variation of grass, tussock, rocky outcrops, with some good cover from the Kanuka and Manuka bush, Lunch was at the skyline ridge. Moving time for our tramp was just over 4 hours. Once back to the cars we drove up the hill to have a look at the relics of the old goldmining settlement of Welshtown, stone buildings and mineshafts from a bygone area. After much discussion we agreed the track rating would be 4.5.
The Hikers (3) enjoyed a walk on the track to Old Cromwell Town for coffee and return 5.2km each way.
Bannockburn Camp Day 2: Kawarau River Track
Sunday 5th March – Tramping:
Day 2 –Kawarau River Track.
Due to rain overnight and start of Sunday morning we changed our walk to River Walk from Bannockburn Bridge up Kawarau River track (combined walk). Some walked return and others were given a lift back to camp where we had lunch. (4.5km each way) Very interesting walk which one day will join up with the carpark at the Goldfields Mining Centre.
In the afternoon Ross took us to the Quartz Reef Point Track about 6kms up the lake from the Cromwell bridge for a brisk 30 min walk from the carpark to view the formation of diggings in the shape of leaves (herringbone tailings).
Some travelled back to Cromwell Pool for well-earned spa & swim while others visited Highland Park racetrack.
Bannockburn Camp Day 3: Bannockburn Sluicings, Stewart Town, Long Gully Loop Track
Monday 6th March – Tramping.
Day 3 – Bannockburn Sluicings, Stewart Town, Long Gully Loop Track
Beautiful weather for start of the day. Lunches made. We left cars at Bannockburn Camp just a short distance from School Camp and headed along Domain Road/Gibson Road to the start of sluicings and up to Stewart Town for morning tea with all of group.
Here hikers and trampers parted ways, the hikers walking around through sluicings to Felton Road and back to carpark via coffee stopover.
The trampers headed further afield to complete Long Gully Loop Track 7kms, a steady uphill climb, where we stopped for lunch at the top and admired magnificent views of Bannockburn, its wineries and further down to Cromwell and Lake Dunstan. We couldn’t have chosen a better day; the scenery was amazing. Lunch over and back down steep incline to complete Loop Track, a tired but very satisfied group on completion of track.
Many sore and tired muscles took refuge in the pool back at camp.
Neil started the evening meal with his version of grace, very apt for our group. Our yummy meal was followed by Neil’s quick wit for ‘News of the Day’ very entertaining thanks Neil. Shona and Keith arrived just in time to assist with meal preparation.
Bannockburn Camp Day 4: Bike from Camp to Smiths Way and Back
Tuesday 7th March – Biking
Day 4 – Bike to Bannockburn Camp to Smiths Way and return.
This was the start of the biking days so some of the trampers headed home after breakfast. After swapping poles for bikes our (15 bikers) first ride was from Bannockburn camp to Old Cromwell, Pisa Moorings and up to Smiths Way a round trip of about 52kms, on the return we stopped at the coffee shop for mostly our own homemade lunch; jolly decent of them to allow this for just a few cups of coffee. This was a 3-hour trip so we were home early.
Bannockburn Camp Day 5: Lake Dunstan Trail and Millennium Track to Alexandra.
Wednesday 8th – Biking
Day 5: Biking Lake Dunstan Trail and Millennium Track to Alexandra.
Getting a bit more adventurous, so this was a big day for some. The logistics keep our coordinator on the ball with lots of options offered and only one trailer to pick up bikes.
Some headed off from the camp to the Lake Dunstan Trail and others did the same but went down another 12kms on the Millennium track to Alexandra. Others started at the other end and came back, and a few did only the Millennium track. Everyone met at the Clyde Rowing club for lunch. It was perfect weather.
Bannockburn Camp Day 6: Biking Gibston to Arrowtown and Back
Thursday 9th – Biking
Day 6: Biking from Gibston to Arrowtown and Back.
Final day, so we loaded the trailer and two cars with 12 bikes and headed to Gibbston Tavern, from there we rode to Arrowtown on the Gibbston River Wine Trail and Arrow River Bridge Trail, via the bungee jump bridge: 22km each way.
Lunch at Arrowtown was pretty much a pie for everyone with a coffee or tea to wash it down, the riders returned to the Gibbston Tavern for a cool drink and pizza mid-afternoon, tea that night was light with all the leftovers from the week.
Whare Flat – Information and Trips Library
Scope:
This page of club tramps and hikes in the area of Whare Flat and groups together trips associated with the Whare Flat Schoolhouse, and includes Tunnels, Racemans, Steve Aimes tracks.
Background Information:
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of about 3. This is indicative only, as trips can be allocated a higher or lesser grading depending on the route taken. For more detailed analysis refer to Grading Information.
Whare Flat School (history)
How To Get There:
Upon leaving Peter Johnston Park, turn left onto Factory Road and follow this until it merges into Dukes Road North. Continue towards Three Mile Hill and turn left onto Silverstream Valley Road. Continue on this road to the carpark just past Flagstaff Whare Flat Road.
Links to tramps and hikes to the same area:
26/06/2024. Whare Flat. Hikers. Grade 2.5. 11km. Leaders: Bruce Spittle, Adrienne Ensor.
Tramps Associated with the Whare Flat Schoolhouse. (1995 – 2017, 4 trips, only 2 reports).
Waiora Scout Camp (2007 – 2020, 3 trips all with reports).
Whare Flat (2000 – 2008, 5 trips, no reports).
School House, Tunnels, McRaes, Steve Amies Whare Flat Road return. (2007, 1 trip with report).
Whare Flat: Chalkies – Hamilton (Invermay) Round trip. (1993 – 2001, 2 trips with no reports).