Author: Ross

Government Track, Kowhai Spur, Mill Creek – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the area West via SH87 (inland on the south side of SH87) groups together trips to  the Government Track, including Kowhai Spur and Mill Creek.

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
2.5+ hours from road to Pole-line and Styx Road.
DCC – Government Track map – see image below.
DCC: Mountain biking on Government Track
[DCC brochure extract: Government Track. 4 hr 30 min, 17 km (return).

The track entrance is Government Track / Kowhai Spur 5 km down Waipori Falls Rd on the right; parking is 100 m further on the left.
Traversing the slopes of the beech-and mānuka-forested Waipori Valley south of Dunedin, the Government Track was built in the 1860s to provide access to the central goldfields. For mountain bikers there is an option of riding up and returning the same way. Alternatively, once at the top follow the pylon track left and steeply down into Waipori township, then follow the road back to the start.

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.

How To Get There:

Option 1 – drive to Outram from PJP and turn left onto Formby Street , then right onto Huntly Road. Continue on this road onto Maungatua Road and turn right onto Waipoai Falls Road and follow road to reserve carpark located in the gorge.

Option 2  – drive south on SH1 to the Berwick turnoff and follow Henley Berwick Road to Berwick, turn right then left onto Waipori Falls Road and follow road to the reserve carpark located in the gorge.

Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:

24/09/2025. Government Track Circuit. Grade 4.5. Trampers.  Leaders: John Gardiner and Carolyn Pridham
10/07/2024. Government Track, Kowhai Spur. Grade 4. Trampers. Leaders: Lyn Keene, Jenny Wilton.

Government Track and Beyond (1991 – 2023. 34 trips)
Post Office Creek – Government Track (1996 – no report – downhill all the way.)
Mill Creek Track and Kowhai Spur  (1993 – 2010, 13 trips – only 1 report).
Tramps Incorporating Three Kings (1989 – 2021, 26 trips including 4 to Mill Creek, Kowhai Spur, or both (no reports)).

DCC – Government Track map:
Gvt Track Kowhai Spur Map Dcc Screenshot 2024 07 08 221526

 

Millennium Track from Taieri Ferry Rd, Finlayson Rd, Galloway Rd, Bells Farm, Kennedys Farm, Wenita (Morrisons Block) – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page covers the Club tramps and hikes in the area South via SH1 and groups together trips to the Millennium Track  (Henley end) located on Lower Taieri River commencing on Taieri Ferry Road. (map)

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
Taieri River Geology for some background information.
Legends of the Lower Taieri includes a section about John Bull if you persist in reading down far enough.
“High tides flood the access road and this has happened to us more than once. N.B. Programme Committee! Avoid high tides forecast near the the hours of 9.00 a.m. or 2.00-3.00 p.m.”

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 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.

How To Get There:

Drive south on SH1 to the Berwick turn off (approx half way along the flood free) and turn left to Henley. Take a right at the next intersection and continue over the Taieri River one lane bridge, then turn left onto the gravel road which will take you to the carparking at the start of the track.

Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:

18/06/2025. Millennium Track return from Henley. Grade 3.5. Trampers. Leaders: Sarah McCormack and Heather Kirk
14/08/2024. Taieri Mouth Excursion. Grade 3. Hikers.  Leaders: Bill Cubitt & Alex Griffin.
24/07/2024.Millennium Track return, Henley Start.  Grade 4. Trampers.  Leaders: Gwenda Farqharson. &  Alison K.

Taieri Ferry and Finlayson Roads, Bells Farm, Kennedys, Millenium (1994 – 2023, 18 trips)
Millennium Track (2002 – 2017, 17 trips with 3 reports)
John Bull Gully Track and Millennium – from Henley and Taieri Mouth (1993 – 2016, 17 trips with 6 reports).

2018 Trampers – Millennium Track, Taieri Ferry Rd. to Taieri Mouth and return – “We walked 18.6 km’s.  Similar times of 2 1/4 hours each way. ”
Bell Farm.  (2002) Seek access permission. Lambing Aug to Oct. Cars park halfway down Taieri Ferry Road, end of forest. Up hill till lunch time. Wenita permit. Wenita Map.
Galloway Rd – Taieri Ferry Rd tracks, see map below. Seek access permission.

 

Galloway Copy
Galloway Road tracks map. (Map courtesy Arthur.)

 

Grahams Bush, Organ Pipes, Buttars Peak, Mt Cargill – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the West Harbour area groups together trips to Grahams Bush,(map) the Organ Pipes, Buttars Peak and Mt Cargill.

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.

Grahams Bush Botanical Information (1988) (from DoC information sheet).
Mt Cargill – Information (from DoC information sheet).

How To Get There:

Take SH88 to Port Chalmers. At Sawyers Bay turn left onto Station Road and continue on this road through the roundabout and onto Hall Road. At the end of Hall Road there is a sign indicating the track  and an area for limited  parking.

Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:

27/05/2026. Grahams Bush and Organ Pipes. Grade 3.5. Hikers.  Leaders: Mike Webb and Bruce Spittle.
25/06/2025. Grahams Bush, Organ Pipes, Buttars Peak. Grade 4. Trampers.  Leaders: Phil Morris, Rod Ward.
09/10/2024. Graham’s Bush to Mt Cargill.  Grade 4. Trampers.  Leaders: Karen McInnes and Gail Williams

Grahams Bush, Old Main Rd, Organ Pipes, Buttars Peak, Mt Cargill, Mt Cutten, Bethunes Gully, Upper Junction  (2024 – 1989, 18 trips with 11 reports).
Grahams Bush, Upper Junction, Brickhill Rd (2014 – 1993, 15 trips with 4 reports).
Grahams Bush, Careys Bay (2004, 1 trip, no report).
From Old Mount Cargill Road Lookout (1992, 1 trip, no report)

Concord – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the Dunedin Central City area groups together trips within the suburb of Concord and environs.

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of about 2. 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.

See also Tunnel Beach – Information and Trips Archive for Tunnel Beach trips starting at Concord.

Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:

17/07/2024. Concord Creations. Grade 2. Hikers.  Leaders: Jan Butcher.  &  Jenny Finnerty.

Concord Blackhead (1989 – 2015 (4 trips with only 1 report)).

Tunnels, McRaes, Racemans, Top Weir, Powder Creek, Chalkies – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the Whare Flat area groups together trips within the Silverstream catchment and includes Racemans, Tunnel Gully, Powder Creek and Chalkies. (map)

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 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.

Racemans Track, Weir, Origins.
Whare Flat School and Surrounds History.

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

08/10/2025. Raceman’s Track. Grade 2.5. Hikers.  Leaders: Sandra Lawn & Bruce Spittle.
14/05/2025.  Racemans. Grade 3. Hikers.  Leaders: Wendy Langley, Eleanore Ryan.
14/08/2024. Tunnel Gully, McRaes, Racemans, Powder Creek Detour. Grade 3. Trampers.  Leaders: Phil Keene & Gary Mort.
26/06/2024. Whare Flat, Waiora, Schoolhouse, Tunnels Track, McRaes Weir, Racemans. Grade 2.5. Hikers. Leaders: Bruce Spittle,  Adrienne Ensor.

Pump House, Tunnels, McRaes Weir, Racemans, Return (2004 – 2020, 10 trips with 6 reports).
Schoolhouse, Tunnels, McRaes Circuit (1989 – 2019, 9 trips with 6 reports).
Silverstream Water-Race, Racemans, Weir (1992 – 2023, 21 trips with 6 reports).
Tramps Associated with the Whare Flat Schoolhouse (1995 – 2017, 5 trips with 3 reports).
School House, Tunnels, McRaes, Steve Amies, Whare Flat Road Return. 2007 (1 trip with report – no photos)

St Clair, St Kilda, Caversham, Kew, Corstorphine, Ocean Grove, Tomahawk – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the Dunedin Central City area groups together trips incorporating suburbs Caversham, Kew, Corstorphine and Dunedin beaches at St Clair, St Kilda, Tomahawk / Ocean Grove.

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of about 1.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.

Ocean Grove, also known as Tomahawk, is a suburb in the southeast of the city of Dunedin. … The suburb was known as Tomahawk until the 1930s, the name not being a reference to the weapon, but rather possibly an anglicised form of the Māori words tomo haka, meaning “dance by a gravesite”.

Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:

19/11/2025. Out & About in Caversham and Kew. Hikers. Grade 2  $5  14km. Leaders: Jenny Finnerty, Jay Devlin, Jan Butcher, Pam Clough.
12/11/2025. Second Beach to Ocean Grove. Grade 3. Hikers.  Leaders: Sandra Lawn and Bruce Spittle.
26/03/2025. St Kilda / Tomahawk Beach. Grade 1.5 Hikers.  Leaders: Wendy Langley  and Val Cayford.
07/08/2024. City to Surf. Grade2 . Combined. Leaders: Gail Williams, Karen McInnes, Jenni and Bruce Wright.
24/07/2024. Delights of St Clair.  Grade 1.5. Hikers.  Leaders: Neville Griffiths, Wyn Davies.

Caversham – Street Walk. 2023-1999 (5 trips, 3 with reports and photos, 2 with no report or photos)
St Clair Beach Walks (1995 – 2023, 17 trips).
Street Walk: St Clair – Kew (2000 – 2022, 2 trips – 1 report).
Tomahawk Lagoon and Nearby Tracks and Areas (1989 – 2023, 43 trips, 19 reports; see 40, 38, 36, 35, 33, 29 and 26.)

Macandrew Bay, Company Bay, MacTaggart St, Camp Road, Boulder Beach, Pukehiki, Greenacres St – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes on the Otago Peninsula groups together trips incorporating Macandrew Bay, Company Bay, Camp Road, Greenacres St, McTaggart St, and Pukehiki. (map)

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
MacTaggart St track closed for lambing September and October.

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.

Restrictions: Lambing Sept – Nov.

How To Get There:

(1) Macandrew Bay – Greenacres Track – drive along Portsmouth Drive and turn left over the causeway and follow Portobello Road to Macandrew Bay township – ample parking available in front of playground. Take Greenacres Street to the start / ascent of Greenacres Track.

(2) Company Bay – McTaggart St. – as per above. Park at Macandrew Bay playground and take the cycleway walk to McTaggart St on the right approx 10 minutes from carpark towards Portobello.

(3) Boulder Beach – located off Highcliff Road and can be accessed via Buskins Road track or Paradise Track. Further go to Seal Point Road (right turn) past Pukehiki and right again onto Braidwood Road where a carpark is available before the decent to Boulder Beach.

Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:

29/04/2026. Macandrew Bay, Company Bay, Camp Road, Pukehiki, Greenacres Track. Grade 3.5. Hikers.  Leaders: Jenni Wright & Jill Dodd.
24/07/2024. Macandrew Bay, Company Bay, McTaggart St, Camp Road, Pukehiki, Greenacres Street. Grade 3. Trampers, Leaders: Yan Campbell, Jenny Flack.

Macandrew Bay, Greenacre Street (1989-2024, 12 trips with 6 reports). Hikers.
Macandrew Bay, Company Bay, McTaggart St, Camp Rd, Pukehiki, Greenacres St (1997 – 2022, 5 trips with 4 reports). Trampers, Hikers, Combined.

Nicols Creek – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes to the Leith Valley area and groups together trips to Nicols Creek (map) incorporating the Pineapple Track, Nicols Falls, Moon Track and other tracks on Swampy.

Background and History

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.

DCC land. Nicols Creek circuit maintained by Green Hut Track Group.
David Nicol was an early settler and dairy farmer. He reputedly bought land here in the hope that the railway line would be routed north through Leith Valley.
Antony Hamel’s YouTube video showing his exploration of the 5 falls of Nicols Creek.
Neighbours at War Background and photos to the Finnerty Family and their house site on the Moon Track by Nicols Creek.
Swampy ridge track background information.
Pineapple Track for background information.
Pineapple and Flagstaff walk for background information.
Nicols Creek Glow-worms

How To Get There:

Take SH1 north and turn left onto Duke St. Continue on Duke St into Malvern St and onto Leith Valley Road. Continue to the sign indicating the Nicol’s Creek Track and mountain bike track. There is limited parking the track entrance. Parking therefore is often best in Booth Road (left off Malvern St) and then take Islay St (off Booth Road) back to Malvern and Leith Valley Roads to the track.

Links to tramps and hikes to the same area:

27/05/2026. Pineapple Track / Nicols Creek. Grade 4. Trampers.  Leaders: Karen McInnnes and Sarah McCormack
10/09/2025. Nicols Creek, Moon Track, Swampy Ridge, Pineapple and Shortcut Tracks. Grade 4. Trampers.  Leaders: Gwenda Farqharson, Lyn Keene.
26/06/2024. Nicols Creek, Pineapple Track. Grade 4. Trampers. Leaders: Wyn and Ross Davies.

Nicols Creek, Swampy, Pineapple Track, Moon Track, Booth Road 2023 – 1989 (27 trips, 9 with reports and photos, 1 with report only, 17  with no reports or photos)
Bull Ring, Swampy, Nicols, Pineapple Point, Davies, return 2020 – 1989 (4 trips, 2 with reports and photos,
Nicols Creek Bridge, Morrisons Burn, Poleline Road, Swampy, Nicols or Pineapple  2016 – 2006 (6 trips, 2 with reports and photos, 1 with photos only, 3 with no reports or photos)
Nicols Creek, Swampy Saddle, Davies Track  2011 – 2001 (3 trips, 1 with report and photos, 2 with reports only)
Moon, McQuilkan, Possum Hunters, Jim Freeman, Pineapple, Nicols  2008  (1 trip with report and photos)
Nicols Creek, McQuilkans (no reports).
Booth Rd, Nicols Creek, McQuilkan, Jim Freeman, Pineapple. Either direction (no reports)
Leith Valley, Nicols Waterfall, Sullivans Dam (no report)

Big Easy, Signal Hill, Ravensbourne, Opoho, Northern Cemetery – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This grouping of Club tramps and hikes covers trips involving the Big Easy to Signal Hill Memorial, Ravensbourne, Opoho (incorporating Willowbank), the Northern Cemetery. (map)

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 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.

Town Belt Article – good links to Signal Hill and Green Belt.
Opoho Historical Background Notes

How To Get There:

The Big Easy is one of the cycle tracks that ascends to the Signal Hill lookout. To access this track take SH88 to the Dunedin Stadium. Turn left at the roundabout then right onto Butts Road (by Palmers Quarry). Follow this road to Logan Park High School and turn right on the road just past the school. This road to the carpark and toilets located behind the school.

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

29/04/2026. Signal Hill from Ravenbourne. Grade 4. Trampers.  Leaders: Sandy Webb & Gail Williams.
26/11/2025. Bid Easy Track. Grade 2.5. Hikers.  Leaders: Barbara Shackell and Avis Williamson
16/10/2024. Ravensbourne, Signal Hill, Big Easy. Grade 3. Trampers.  Leader: John Gardiner.
21/08/2024. Big Easy. Grade 2.5. Hikers. Leaders: Pam Clough, Jay Devlin.

Signal Hill Centennial Memorial, Ravensbourne, Big Easy (2023 – 1998, 24 trips with 9 reports).
Botanic Garden, Logan Park, Northern Cemetery, Chingford, Big Easy (2021 – 1996, 25 trips with 16 reports inc. 19/05/2021 and 30/09/2015 for Big Easy).
Signal Hill Tramps (2023 – 1992, 19 trips  with 8 reports inc. 22/08/2018 for Big Easy).
Street Walk – Willowbank-Opoho area. (2022 – 2017, 2 trips with reports)

Tunnel Beach – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the Fairfield, Green Island and Mosgiel surrounds area and groups together trips incorporating Tunnel Beach. (map)

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of about 2. 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.

Tramping Track managed by DOC. Tunnel Beach Road accessed from Blackhead Road. Plenty of parking at end of Tunnel Beach Road. Concord Tavern park for longer walk.

Tunnel Beach Walkway (general information and history).
Dunedin’s Hills’ History (brief mention of Tunnel Beach geology at the end).

How To Get There:

Take SHI north to the Green Island exit ramp. Proceed through the roundabouts and take a right turn at the exit to Waldronville. Continue on the main road and turn left onto Blackhead Road (before Waldronville), and drive to Tunnel Beach Road located past the quarry on the left to reach the track and parking.

Links to tramps and hikes in the same area:

03/07/ 2024.  Tunnel Beach, Concord Tavern Lunch – Mid Winter Catchup. Combined. Grade 2. Leaders: Phil and Helen Morris, Jay Devlin and Margaret Maxwell.

Tunnel Beach Archive (Hikers, Trampers, Combined)
Midwinter Dinner Occasions (including Tunnel Beach 23/06/2010).

Midwinter Dinners – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page groups together the midwinter dinners / lunches hosted by the club. These events are often preceded by a walk and as such are included in the reports / photos relating to the walk that is submitted for publication.

Links to midwinter dinners:

02/07/2025. Mid Winter Lunch at Waihola. Grade 2. Combined.  Leaders: Noel McRandle, Dave Roberts, Gwenda Farqharson, Karon Reid.

03/07/ 2024.  Tunnel Beach, Concord Tavern Lunch – Mid Winter Catchup. Combined. Grade 2. Leaders: Phil and Helen Morris, Jay Devlin and Margaret Maxwell.

5 July 2023. 35th Birthday/ Mid winter lunch
Midwinter Dinner Occasions (2010-2020)
Midwinter Street Walk – Street Art (includes Midwinter dinners 2016-2021)
Waihola Walk (2017)

Millennium Track from Taieri Mouth – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page covers the Club tramps and hikes in the area South Coast and groups together trips to the Millennium Track  located on Lower Taieri River commencing at Taieri Mouth. (map)

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

TRTC Grading Information – trips to the Millenium Track are generally given a TRTC grading of 3. This is indicative only, as depending on the track conditions, allocation of gradings can differ from this. For more detailed analysis refer to Grading Information.

Taieri River Geology for some background information.
Legends of the Lower Taieri includes a section about John Bull if you persist in reading down far enough.

How To Get There:

Drive to Brighton and proceed through the township to Taieri Mouth Road that follows the coast road to Taieri Mouth. Crossing the over the bridge turn immediate right onto Riverside Road there is parking and the start of the track at the end of this road.

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

03/12/2025. Millenium Track from Taieri Mouth to Lookout. Grade 3. Trampers.  Leaders: Sandy Webb and Alison Evans.
23/04/2025. Taieri Mouth/Millennium Track. Grade 3. Hikers.  Leaders: Linda Partridge & Bill Cubitt.

John Bull Gully Track and Millennium – from Henley and Taieri Mouth (1993 – 2016, 17 trips with 6 reports).
Taieri Mouth – Inc Millennium, Moturata Island, Akatore, Alanton Block (1989 – 2023, 15 trips with 13 reports including 29/03/2023 Millennium Track).

Street Art Walks Dunedin – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the Dunedin Central City area groups together trips focused on viewing the Street Art found on many buildings within the city.

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.

Links to art walks in the same area:  

13/08/2025. South Dunedin Street Art. Grade 1.5. Hikers.  Leaders: Val Crayford and Wendy Langley.
21/08/2024 . Street Art Walk.  Grade 1.5. Trampers Leaders: Wendy Langley, Val Cayford.
10/07/2024. Street Art Trail and Surrounds. Grade 1.5. Hikers. Leaders: Wendy Langley, Val Cayford.

Midwinter Street Walk – Street Art (2015 – 2021)
Follow the Leith (2022 – 2023) University campus.

Racemans, Steve Amies Loop, Coal Creek – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the Whare Flat area groups together trips within the Silverstream catchment and includes Racemans, Steve Aimes and Coal Creek tracks.  (map)

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of about 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.

Racemans Track, Weir, Origins

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 in this area:

25/03/2026. Whare Flat-Racemans-North Coal Creek-Steve Amies-Return. Grade 4. Trampers. Leaders: Robyn and Martin Hickley.
23/7/2025. Steve Aimes / North Coal Creek. Grade 4. Trampers.  Leaders: Graham Thurlow and Neil Hodgkin.

Racemans, North and Little Coal Creeks, Steve Amies (2020 – 2023, 2 tramps with reports).
Steve Amies and Associated Tracks (2000 – 2018, 19 trips with 12 reports).
Trig Q, Steve Amies Track Tramps (1995 – 2013, 9 trips with 2 reports).
School House, Tunnels, McRaes, Steve Amies, Whare Flat Road Return (2007, 1 trip with report).

Opoho – Historical Background Notes

Opoho – ‘Here my head is level with hills and sky’ – (Janet Frame)

[These historical notes were prepared by Ross for our wanderings around Opoho on 1 June 2022 on a tour led by Neil and Margreet Simpson and Wyn and Ross Davies. Only parts of it were recounted as we zoomed around, and some asked for a chance to read a bit more about what was talked about. What follows is the whole lot.]
Name of Opoho
Maori have been present in the area for 800-900 years. Two groups of Maori ovens have been found on the contours of the hill, said to have been used by people of the Ngatiwairua.
Poho is said to have been a Ngatiwairua chief in the 1700s, head of a family occupying a small kaika (village) by the outlet of the stream which flows down the hill into what was once Pelichet Bay (now Logan Park). O-poho simply means ‘Poho’s place’ and it came to be applied to the neighbouring stream – Opoho Creek.
Later it was adopted by one of the early English landowners for a subdivision on the middle slopes beside where the stream flowed (the Logan Park side), and gradually the name became applied to the whole suburb (on both sides of the ridge).
Opoho Odyssey Part 1 – Botanic Gardens Top Car Park to Knox College
Lovelock Avenue
Formerly Cemetery Road because of the Northern Cemetery halfway down. Renamed Lovelock Avenue in 1968, after Jack Lovelock who lived in Opoho while studying medicine at Otago University. It was the street he ran down every day going to university. Jack Lovelock kept running, and broke the world record for the mile in 1933. He went on to win the gold medal in the 1500 metres at the Berlin Olympics in 1936 (the first Kiwi to win an Olympic track event).
Signal Hill Road
The most enduring street name in Opoho is Signal Hill Road. It appears on all the maps. The top of Signal Hill provides a good view of the harbour and may have given the Maori a place to watch for hostile war canoes and signal from. With European settlement, the same hill was used to signal immigrant ships and perhaps to announce their approach to Dunedin residents. It remains one of the best-known landmarks in Dunedin.
Opoho Road and Trams
The original Opoho subdivision, called Estate of Opoho, to form Opoho Township was created by Captain Boyd in 1873. We’re going to wander some of the streets of this Opoho Township this morning, making our way down to Knox College for a tour at 11am. Opoho Road was the southern boundary of the Opoho Township, originally called District Road. It was the first access to the suburb from the Gardens although there was also a road to Dundas Street down Lovelock Avenue. Opoho Road was too steep where it meets Signal Hill Road for the trams, so a new loop was created through part of the Upper Gardens where the road now goes. It was the steepest line attempted by electric trams. The terminus was at the corner of Signal Hill Road and Blacks Road, and that was steep too. At least two trams ran away from the terminus when the brakes failed – with serious consequences. The tramline opened in 1924. Continue reading “Opoho – Historical Background Notes”