
Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
Mid-week recreational and social walking group based in Mosgiel NZ
Ocean Grove, also known as Tomahawk, is a suburb in the southeast of the New Zealand 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”.
No. 23 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Karetai Rd via Monument from Lagoon. Year round.”
Distance from car-park: Tomahawk: 19 km; Smaills Beach: 22 km; Paradise Road: 26 km.’
DCC List: 41 Peg Track. Otago Peninsula
Accessed from Oregon St. 3.5 hrs ret. Tramping track – unbenched. Managed: DCC CAM, private land.
Description – This track provides a link between Ocean Grove and Highcliff Road. Access to the track in Ocean Grove is off Oregon Street. An attractive walk around Tomahawk Lagoon then climbs through gorse and native bush. Turn right towards Soldiers Memorial through paddocks with gorse sometimes obscuring the rock walls.
St Clair, St Kilda, Kew, Corstorphine, Ocean Grove, Tomahawk – Information and Trips Library
Continue reading “Tomahawk Lagoon and Nearby Tracks and Areas”
Information
Rock and Pillar via Six Mile Creek This climbs 1,005 m. (3300 feet) up the eastern face from Glencreag Station up a leading ridge south of Six Mile Creek. This is the most direct approach.
Rock and Pillar via spur south of Lug Creek. Information: Climbs 910 m. (3000 feet) up the eastern face of a well-graded vehicle track up a leading spur south of Lug Creek. Average time to Leaning Lodge is 3 hours on foot.
DoC access. 9.5km north of the Middlemarch store on SH87, just before Lug Creek, is a farm entrance (RAPID 7219 – no DoC sign). A short way up the driveway is a DoC car park. There is public access up the vehicle track to the conservation area boundary. The track is now a recreation reserve administered by DoC.
Easiest route to Big Hut from Leaning Lodge (foot only – unmarked – good visibility essential) is another 45+ minutes climbing gently southwards to cross a steep gully and then climb a gentle shelf to above the eastern basins. Sidle several hundred metres past the lower prominent rock tors before gently descending to Big Hut once it becomes visible. Route very wind and cloud-prone. Ice axe and crampons may be necessary to traverse steep snow slopes near Leaning Lodge.
64 km to Middlemarch. 66 km to Stonehurst Track.
Redan Crater- contact for access Ken Rennick.
Middlemarch Area – Information and Trips Library
16. 06/12/2023. Hikers. Sutton Salt Lake – Glencreag Track. Grade 2.5. $16. 60km. Leaders: Wendy Langley/Katrina McKenzie
17 of us headed to Sutton where we walked the Sutton Lake loop. Continue reading “Middlemarch Area Tramps”
2. 29/11/2023. Hikers Waters of the Leith. Grade 2. Leaders: Jan/ Pam
Having led this trip several times over the last 10 years or so, without much variation to it, this report will be reasonably brief.
19. 15/11/2023. Hikers. Cleghorn Street to Signal Hill. Leaders Pam Clough and Jay Devlin
23 keen hikers gathered on a beautiful day at the Bottom of Cleghorn St where we made our way up the gravel road to the beginning of our walk which was firstly over farmland. Continue reading “Signal Hill Tramps”
Distance from car-park to Doctors Point: 38 km.
Doctors Point, Mopanui, McKessar, Purakanui, Osborne – Information and Trips Library
Outram 10 km / Henley 21 km – from car park.
Outram, Allanton, Floodbanks, Lee Stream, Traquair, Whare Creek – Information and Trips Library
4. 25/10/2023. Hikers. Outram Loop. Grade 1.5, 11km, Leaders: Sue Nichol, Kathryn Fagg.
Outram turned on another scorcher for 16 hikers. We started at the West Taieri Rugby Club and walked around Kings Court and Anzac Court subdivisions where the gardens were in full bloom. Continue reading “Outram – Allanton Flood Bank”
17 km from car park.
St Clair, St Kilda, Kew, Corstorphine, Ocean Grove, Tomahawk – Information and Trips Library
14 kms PJP to cnr South Rd and Eastbourne St.
5. 27/09/2023 Hikers. Grade 2 Leaders: Jan and Jan
20 hikers set off from the old Carisbrook Hotel through the very run-down Caversham shopping area. We had a couple of stops to look at a bit of the history of the area. There were other points of interest, but with so much chatter going on, decided to give it a miss! We headed up South Road for a morning tea stop at a house belonging to Jan Y’s brother. It is a large property extending right down to just above the main trunk railway line. He has a stall at the Farmers Market every Saturday and has grown and propagated an extensive number of plants. Also has numerous tunnel houses, a couple of fruiting tamarillo trees and an avocado tree. He is a rockhound and there was a very large collection of rocks, crystals etc. on display.
Because there was so much to look at, the morning tea break was a bit longer than normal. We carried on up South Road to the Carlton Hill area, then cut across a couple of streets and back down to Sidey Street where you got a good view of Corstorphine House. From there we headed up a track which took us into the Kew area, with great views of Dunedin.
Down through a steep set of steps (Killikrankie Pass – a cool name) and we ended up in a park at Forbury Corner for lunch.
Returned to the cars by crossing over the motorway on an overhead bridge, then walked down a path on the north side back to the cars.
It was a pleasant day with no wind, and we covered approx 8 kms, at quite a leisurely pace. Several members of the group had lived in the vicinity of area covered so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane for them. Thanks to Jan and Pam who did a very enjoyable recce with me. The Two Jans.
21 kms PJP to Pine Hill School (via 3 Mile Hill Rd).
4. 20/09/2023. Hikers. Pine Hill. Grade 2. $5. 21km. Leaders: Jan Butcher/Jenny Finnerty.
3. 01/12/2021. Hikers. Hidden Gems of Pine Hill. Shone Munro and John Gardiner
On a misty drizzly day, 24 hikers met in Pine Hill Rd near the school.
We commenced walking down Pine Hill Rd to a walkway leading to the town end of Hillary St which we followed to the distant end before having morning tea at “The Fern house”, an iconic house built in 1882 where we experienced great hospitality from the owner, Dr Brian Cox, who had made toilets and his sunroom open for us.
Most hikers then followed him to explore some of his property while some reneged at the muddy walkway near an old barn and tricky bridge where we waited for the intrepid to return.
It was obvious that the hikers were enjoying themselves by the happy chattering we heard and gales of laughter from Fay. We were still unsure if this was because Fay’s new shoes got so muddy or something else.
Reassembling we walked to Campbell Rd where John educated us on the history of the little dog painted into the Power box mural, walked up Campbell’s Rd , through a walkway back onto Pine Hill Rd and upwards to “The Pines”.
This owner, Lindsay Moir, also extended great hospitality, allowing us use of his barn (adequate seating for all) and toilet.
After lunch, a number of hikers went to explore his farm and the creek with him. Highlights included the monster (wooden polar bear), frog pond, converted container for honeymooners and a Nissan hut where some of our male hikers discussed politics.
There was an old sign hanging in the barn, advertising the business of our late Life member, Doug Moir and as there were only 5 telephone numbers on this, not the 7 on today’s listings, it must have been very old indeed.
A brisk downhill walk to the cars preceded a visit to CrocQueODile Café.
Thanks must go to these generous property owners for their hospitality.
Distance walked approx 9km.
2. 20/6/2019. Hikers. North East Valley, Pinehill. Jan and Jenny
On a cold and frosty morning, 27 hikers set off for Malvern Street where we parked up and commenced our hike to Pinehill. We walked through Woodhaugh park where we located some seating and had our morning tea before setting off along Banks Street and turning left up Dolphin Street which in turn lead onto Gladstone Road. This being the home of Aquinas College. If you thought we had a good frost in Mosgiel – well it was matched here and we very cautiously negotiated the footpath, sometimes having to cross the road which was like a skating rink in places. However we all climbed the hill without mishap and into the sunshine which was a relief! Walking up Pinehill Road we stopped to admire the Church where Shona and Keith were married some 44 years ago on the 28th of this month.
We carried on, coming to John’s house where he picked up his dog for a walk up to the end of Pinehill Road & onto the end of a gravel road where we stopped for lunch overlooking a wonderful view of Dunedin and surrounds.
We were all suitably impressed with the view,
none of us having been up to that spot before – not even Shona! Sitting there with our backs to the sun,
it was hard to leave, but it was time to head back down the hill again, spotting some wonderful street art in a bus shelter.
We turned left at Pinehill School and on down the hill coming to a winding Bucclough Street which eventually lead us down to the 219 Duddington steps
and on down to NEV where it was a short walk to the intersection with Banks Street and through Woodhaugh again and back to the cars. A good 10k was the agreed distance and so called into the Village Green for a well deserved coffee & cake!
Jenny & Jan
1. 24/5/2006 Pinehill – Gardens return Betty B, Dot T, Anne
10. 16/08/2023. Hikers. Mosgiel Street Walk. Grade 1, $0, 9km, Leaders: Raewyn Keene, Helen Morris
It was a little frosty as 14 hikers set out from Peter Johnson Park for a street walk till lunchtime. Along Reid Street to Factory Road, Church Street to Gordon Road, the pace was steady. As we approached the railway crossing (and unknown to some of us), was the plaque about our own Lester and his beautification efforts.
As we continued on to the old Mosgiel Railway Station for morning tea, it was great to see the daffodils & blossoms beginning to bloom, indicating Spring is not far away.
Refreshed and with the sun trying to shine, we headed off to Cemetery Road, ventured into the new Grange Lifestyle village as far as we could go, and back out to the underpass into Kinmont.
Some hill climbing was considered necessary to get our hearts pumping, so up Leith, Clyde & Braeside Streets we went. Back down to Quarry Road and left at Nellies, we looped back to our cars via Argyle Street & Bush Road.
Ross C joined us today and was apparently looking forward to a ‘flat’ walk (as advised by his lovely wife) – oops! Hopefully the friendly chatter along the way helped.
All in all, a pleasant morning’s walk, good company and 9kms achieved.
The Harwood hike will be rescheduled into the summer programme.
Helen & Raewyn
7. 9/08/2023. Hikers. Mornington. Grade 2, $5, 18km, Leaders: Ady Whitson, Pam Clough.
Meeting at PJ Park we decided to go ahead with our hike. We decided to park further up Mornington Road which turned out not to be far enough up. Down Elgin Road we went, all 13 of us, and down the steps ending up at the steps at Caversham Valley Road. Morning tea we had on the steps that looked along Main South Road.
It was here two departed to return home as somebody had forgotten their pack and it was very cold.
We started off along Barnes Drive at a reasonable pace as I thought the weather might turn on us…
…up Glen Road and turned up steps to end up in Carson Road. From there we travelled up Cooper St with a few stops here and there for a breather.
Turning right into Glenpark Avenue I put a fast clip on as the weather was probably going to turn at about 11am. Another set of steps up to Mornington…
…and just at the top the weather did change completely. After a quick conflab, it was off to the Mornington Tavern for a warm up and a coffee.
We left about 12.15pm to head back to the cars and this was where I decided we had parked the cars far too far down Mornington Road as the weather really turned to custard. Home by 1.15pm.
We did have lots of laughs and Lynley was the only one from Trampers to show up (I don’t think she read the email in the morning and I didn’t let on I hadn’t either).
Like I’ve said before, don’t put me in charge as it is always wet when I’m at the front. Thank you Pam for all the help as I have no idea round some of those streets.
Cheers Ady. Continue reading “Mornington Ramble”
Distance from Bush Road carpark: 15 km.
12. 19/07/2023. Hikers. Taieri View . Grade 2.5, Leaders: Jill Dodd, Jenni Wright.
We continued up McIntosh Road, the only oncoming traffic being around 20 e-bikers, who were going like the clappers. We made good time and arrived at the intersection of McIntosh /Scroggs Hill Roads where we enjoyed lunch. It never ceases to amaze me the conversations that are had whilst out, they’re simply hilarious.
We now got our view over the Taieri, and then proceeded down Scroggs Hill Road mostly single file which had a few more vehicles but all were very responsive to our hikers and reduced their speed considerably. One member was concerned about walking single file as this may impede (his) conversation! There were many examples of retired tractors and cars exposed to the elements and the consequent erosion.
It was fascinating to see the variety of homes in Brighton …. some beautifully restored, other new builds taking advantage of stunning views, and some steeped in history of family times. Liz and Alex, being long-time residents, provided great commentary along the way.
We got back to the cars and enjoyed the walkway along to Brighton Beach Café, for ice creams, coffee and more chatter and laughs.
Continue reading “Scroggs Hill Road, Seaview Road, McIntosh Road”
No. 83 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “McNally Track, Milton. Year Round”
Potential for Combined trip.
McNally’s Walkway, Milton – Information and Trips Library
20. 28/06/2023. Trampers. McNally’s Walkway. Grade 2.5. Leaders: Graeme Souter, Yan Campbell
Hopefully, Constable Tom McNally would have appreciated that 17 hardy trampers weren’t deterred from following the walkway named for him. A night of heavy rain and inconclusive forecasts for the day had caused Graeme a restless night, trying to decide whether to cancel or change the tramp. Much of the trail is quite exposed passing through paddocks and would have been pretty miserable in a downpour. It wasn’t actually raining at Peter Johnstone Park at 9:15 and the sky seemed to be lightening to the south. We split into four cars and headed for the cemetery at Milton and the beginning of McNally’s Walkway.
We set off in a very light rain along a fence line of the first paddock. The ground and grass were certainly wet and it was a steady climb to our stop for morning tea in a sheltered spot with a bench. There was a great view of the Taieri Plain but the hilltops were still shrouded in cloud and would remain so.
By the time we set off again the rain had stopped and the only drips were from the overhanging trees.
We took a slightly different route from other years, turning onto the Kowhai trail for the rest of the climb. It passed through a mix of native and introduced trees before opening up into paddocks of newly planted pines. By this time, we could see the summit and the haybarn where we’d have lunch. There was just one more climb before we made ourselves comfortable and ate.
After lunch we headed downhill through quite long grass which soon became a clear path at least for those of us at the back. At this point the sun broke through and this clearer light made a remarkable pattern, contrasting the long fading grass with the small green pines.
Once we were through this, there was only one more steep pitch up through some trees. From then on the walk was steadily downhill coming out onto Cemetery Road and just a short distance from the cars.
After changing out of our muddy boots and gaiters we made our way to The Black Swan in Waihola. By this time the weather was fine enough to sit outside.
The day had really turned out well. Thanks Graeme.
Yan
Continue reading “McNally Walkway”