Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
Mid-week recreational and social walking group based in Mosgiel NZ
Post linked to Info Post
17 km from car park.
St Clair, St Kilda, Kew, Corstorphine, Ocean Grove, Tomahawk – Information and Trips Library
Nineteen hikers left Marlow Park in sunny conditions at about 0930 after singing happy birthday to Liz Griffin and walked over the Kettle Park Sports field and up a track to the Barnes Lookout.No. 47 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Toko Beach. M Young”; also No. 65 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Chrystalls Beach Farm”. Location: 59 km from the car park. Best in Summer. The stock winter over.
Directions: On SH1, before Milton, at Helensbrook intersection, left onto Forsyth Road, right onto Back Road, left onto Glenledi Road.
Chrystalls Beach, Toko Mouth, Cooks Head – Information and Trips Library
A fine overcast morning greeted us at Peter Johnstone Park with 19 trampers in 5 cars beginning our tramp at 10am. Continue reading “Chrystalls Beach, Toko Mouth”*Click this Wikipedia entry on Quarantine Island, if you wish.
*Click here for a PDF fact sheet of the original Quarantine Island
*And here is the St Martin Island Community web page. Click the photo at the bottom to see original buildings!
*Click a quarantine-island-botanical-report for a (bit dated) 1987 report on the island’s vegetation, if you like.
30 kms PJP to Back Beach.
Quarantine Island – Information and Trips Library
5. 4/10/2023. Combined. Quarantine Island. Grade 2, Leaders: Ross and Wyn Davies, Maria MacNee, Jenny Finnerty.
Twenty-eight trampers and hikers enjoyed a great day out with calm and temperate weather, a little cloudy, not the blue skies and sun the forecast promised. Perfect weather though for the crossing to Quarantine Island. Our day had started with a little confusion regarding numbers and meeting places but we all managed to get ourselves to Back Beach carpark safely (Julie and Viv might tell a few tales about their driver though, lol).
We walked off for morning tea in Lady Thorn Dell…
… where we enjoyed fabulous views of the busy Port Chalmers.
Great photos and history on display at the lookout platform. Little remains of the dry dock and ship building industry that once provided for a vibrant community in the 19th and 20th centuries.
From Lady Thorn Dell we enjoy a leisurely meander through the town cemetery which it has to be said seems to hold an unhealthy interest for those of us still in the land of the living? Indicative of the average age of our enclave perhaps…? Nonetheless, interesting history to be gleaned from those old stones and bones.
Coming back down to the Port we get a stunning glimpse of Carey’s Bay…
… before heading back to the wharf and Boiler Point where Captain John welcomes us aboard the island ferry the “Vivienne J”. After John treats us to a grand jaunt around the harbour basin (greatly appreciated by all on board)…
…we “set sail” for the island, not bad value at $20 return! One wag commented that “It was very nice of Bruce to organise a cruise for Jenny on her birthday….”
Arriving at the jetty on the island, the skeletons of the Waikana…
… and the Oreti form a kind of decaying guard of honour as we head up to the Lodge for lunch.
After lunch we explore the island starting with the restored Married Quarters building in which is housed a beautifully modelled miniature of the Waikana as she was when in service as a harbour ferry.
Regenerating native bush rang with the sound of native bird life as we enjoyed an easy 30-minute walk around the island.
Our walks included visiting the sad sight of the island’s cemetery where the remains of 72 immigrants lay, half of them children, in unmarked graves. The small mounds are especially evocative. A sobering reminder of the fate of many immigrants who survived the arduous journey from the other side of the world in search of a better future, only to perish of scarletina and other deadly diseases in quarantine before they even set foot on the mainland.
Heading back across the harbour our day is nicely rounded off by afternoon tea at the Santosha Cafe in the Port.
A wonderful day out enjoyed by all.
Maria
4. 12/2/2020. Quarantine Island. Leaders Janice and Peter
43 hikers and trampers parked at Back Beach, Port Chalmers and walked along the wharf
edge past the stacks of logs. No cruise ship in port this time. Headed up the hill to our
morning tea spot at the beautifully maintained Lady Thorn Dell.
The lookout gave us good views of the container wharf which was busy with a container ship in.
Meandered along the road , through the cemetery, and down to the main Aramoana road.
A small detour took us down to the new extended fishing wharf at Boiler Point.
Carried on to the main street of Port Chalmers and up the hill to the lookout and Ralph Houtere Sculpture Park.
Back down a bush track to Back Beach. With half an hour to go before the boat was due to arrive
most of us lunched in the car park. Were entertained by a heap of shags and gulls feasting
on some small silver fish. By this time the weather had cleared from a slightly drizzly misty
start to a very pleasant sunny calm day. Perfect for a boat trip.
Another two hikers arrived, which brought our numbers up to 45. Because of the numbers, the boat did two trips to the island. We were met by a very enthusiastic knowledgeable volunteer who took us to the old married quarters and gave us a very detailed overview of the history of the island.
Photo and Caption Clive -“Quarantine Island chapel”The renovations to this building have now been completed. Following this the majority of the
group did the half hour walk round the point, through the old cemetery, returning to the
wharf to be transported back to the car park.
Refreshments (including a yummy Devonshire tea for some of us) were at the historic Careys Bay Hotel – a pleasant end to the day sitting in front of the hotel overlooking the boat harbour.
Jan and Peter
3. 18/3/2015. Quarantine/St Martin Island from Port Chalmers. Leaders: Jan and Peter.
The weather was atrocious. Twenty-four Hikers and Ramblers arrived at the Back Beach car park. The rain fell. The wind blew. Leaders had told us our ferry to the island wasn’t to leave till 12.30 p.m. The sensible ones of us I believe waited out the morning in the shelter of their vehicles. The sillier ones were immediately into Parkas and gloves. Storm gear.
And off we set. Back the way we had come. Past the never-ending stretch of stacked logs, past the cruise ship, through the main intersection, up and along the road behind the church, across the railway line and on to Lady Thorn Dell. Here we gathered in the most sheltered (??) spot for morning tea. Few sat and even fewer partook. It was wet and cold.
Then surprise, upon the scene came up the two Lions Club members we had met as we entered the Dell, engaged in tidying the place up in preparation of a forthcoming important visit. They welcomed us and told us everything we could wish to know about the Dell’s history, from early quarrying of the rock, which initially was a hill stretching out to the water’s edge and whose stone now graces many of Dunedin’s buildings, notably the Railway Station, on through its life as a rubbish dump and subsequent clearing, to enable the further rhododendron planting and the present day. Wonderful.
Whereas we had earlier briefly entertained the idea of taking hot coffee in the warm embrace of Careys Bay Hotel, more time had now elapsed, so it was back down to the town,…
…in search of coffee that was more local. But the town was asleep, despite the cruise ship’s presence. No tourists. No cafes.
So we wandered around a bit, eventually sloping off in twos and fours back to the cars. We lunched separately, some in cars, some in other shelter, some exploring, until ferry-time arrived. Jan collected our ten dollar notes for paying the fare, and we boarded.
A lovely boat. Powerful too. The channel was a bit rough but in the lee of the island, all was smooth. And the sun had appeared and the rain had gone. A brightening-up afternoon. Hurrah.
It was no trouble alighting at the new wharf. The new island warden filled us in on local history, a salient point being that the St Martins Island Group name had very recently given way to the Quarantine Island Group name. Two other groups were there on the day, one of them being a two-day Tokomairio School Group. Our stay was a two-hour one, set to return at 3.00 p.m.
The walk round the top of the island was only half an hour. Lovely bush. The wind was strong on the sou-west side, the one exposed towards Dunedin, but the bush part of the track provided good shelter.
Having walked the main track,…
…some wandered off towards the old graveyard and the Portobello end of the island.
The few sheep on the island were sheltered under a small plantation of pines. A brick chimney was all that remained of the old hospital.
Back towards the main buildings, the married quarters, once two-storied but now just a large hall, had been straightened up from an earlier lean, looking good in its fresh coat of paint.
The ‘wanderers’ joined the others waiting in the sun till ferry-time arrived.
All went smoothly as we reboarded and ‘sailed’ (?) back to the car park. A significant point, picked up from the crew, was that among them was the boat’s present owner, and the new owner , the one of the Monarch. This boat had apparently had a capacity for 33 passengers.
All agreed it had been a good day, all round. A day with a difference. A day to re-establish connections between Ramblers and old and newer Hikers.
Thanks to Janice and Peter for the day. – Ian.
2. 22/4/1998 St Martin/Quarantine Island Camp
1. 5/3/1997. Martin Island Cruise.
Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
President’s report 2022-2023
It is my pleasure to present this report.
We have had a full on year, of major and minor events, contained within a varied trip programme which in turn has been affected by a few wet Wednesdays! The latter being most unusual but hopefully not setting a long term precedent; one benefit being to remind us that there is no substitute for wearing and carrying the right gear for the weather on the day.
Majors being a very enjoyable Xmas function at Taieri Mouth with standout entertainment, as well as discovering the efficient taxi service that exists down there….This was followed by a successful week at Bannockburn that comprised a varied walking programme, some walks being a first for many of us, as well as undertaking a Tour de Dunstan and environs on Les bicyclettes. . The travel agents we used
for this event were most efficient and we look forward to their offering planned for Kelvin Heights and the Queenstown area in the coming Autumn, but of course we do need to get through spring and summer first!
Our recent 35th birthday and mid winter celebrations were outstanding and subsequent discussions thought provoking. The photo show displaying a trip down memory lane is currently to hand and we are hopeful it can be made available shortly.
We have had a range of new walks and variations on previous walks and have tried to pick up on those not done for some time. The big turnout to support the Halo Project at Long Beach was wonderful and a more than useful adjunct to the flax clearing undertakings we do. As discussed with a range of folk we are assessing with the Green Hut Group how we can take a ‘working bee’ approach to the track clearing work and continue the club’s contribution to track maintenance on our side of Flagstaff/ Swampy. More on this shortly.
The Committee and sub committees/ web team continue to fine tune processes and communications such as the ability to print the trip programme from the website, as well as the ongoing reassessment of fuel costs The latter has been recently looked at again for when we do the summer trip programme. We have looked at why disclaimers of liability are not required as well as settled a process for walks to accommodate folk who may wish not to complete the full walk on the day.
Our membership has blossomed through the last few months and stands at 109, with some pending! Our life members are Bev Harvey, George Haggie, Margaret Smith and Molly Vaughan.
For your information the current office holders and Committee members offer themselves for re election and Graeme Souter has been nominated for the sole vacant standard position on the committee.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed in so many ways outlined above to make a successful year, supporting each other is a hallmark of the club.
This year will be the last for Jill Dodd on the committee as she has decided ‘to retire’. Jill has had a lengthy stint since 2015 as vice president/president/past president and of course acting president during Covid. In addition, Jill has initiated a range of trips, first aid training as well and events such as the recent Halo project contribution and more. We look forward to walking and talking with you Jill for many years to come!
I move that this report be adopted.
Seconder
Phil Keene, August 2023
Minutes of the 35th Annual General Meeting of Taieri Recreational Tramping Club held at the Taieri Presbyterian Church Hall, on Thursday 24 August 2023 at 1.30 p.m.
Present: Phil Keene (Chair), Anne Ward, Barbara Shackell, Betty Finnie, Bev Harvey, Bill Cubitt, Bruce Wright, Carole Morrison, Clive Crossman, Dave Roberts, Diane Paterson, Dorothy Bennett, Elaine Day, Eleanore Ryan, Gail Williams, Grant Shackell, Gwenda Farqharson, Heather Kirk, Helen Morris, Jan Butcher, Janette Abbott, Janice Yardley, Jay Devlin, Jenni Wright, Jill Dodd, Jim Finnie, John Gardiner, Judy Dennison, Karen McInnes, Lester Harvey, Margreet Simpson, Marijke Schofield, Neil Hodgkin, Neil Simpson, Pam Cocks, Phil Morris, Raewyn Keene, Ross Davies, Sarah McCormack, Shona Munro, Theresa White and Wyn Davies.
Apologies: Alex Griffin, Avis Williamson, Chris Wither, Dave Mellish, Di Bezett, Esther Willis, Graeme Souter, Heather Reid, Jenny Finnerty, Jenny Flack, Jill Reid, Kathryn Fagg, Katrina McKenzie, Lenore Armstrong, Liz Griffin, Lyn Keene, Neville Griffiths, Pam Clough, Peter Davie, Shona Carruthers, Wendy Begley and Yan Campbell.
The minutes of the 34th AGM were taken as read, having previously been circulated. Moved Jan Butcher, seconded Margreet Simpson that they be confirmed as a true and accurate record. Carried.
None.
None.
Phil Keene moved that his report be adopted, seconded by Sarah McCormack. Carried.
The financial statement, previously circulated to members, was summarised by Jenni Wright.
Income for the year was $2,575.03, expenses $1,610.41, resulting in a surplus of $964.62. The current state of finances was $1,245.12 with $4.60 petty cash, totalling $1,249.72.
There was a timing issue in income and expenditure.
As at year end, we had not yet received the invoice from the Taieri Bowling Club for the catering for the 35th birthday celebratory lunch. Income for the 35th lunch is $885.00 which means that our surplus to 30 June 2023 in real terms is $79.62.
The Committee at its meeting on 27 June 2023, recommended that the annual subscription and joining fee remain at $10 each.
Jenni Wright moved the adoption of the Treasurer’s Report, seconded John Gardiner. Carried.
Appointment of Reviewer for the Forthcoming Year
Keith Mackenzie has agreed to be TRTC’s reviewer for the 2023-24 financial year. Jenni Wright moved that Keith Mackenzie be reappointed as reviewer, seconded Barbara Shackell. Carried.
| Position | Name | Moved | Seconded |
| President | Phil Keene | Jenni Wright | Jill Dodd |
| Vice President | John Gardiner | Helen Morris | Dave Roberts |
| Secretary/
Treasurer |
Jenni Wright | Jay Devlin | Barbara Shackell |
| Existing Committee | Jay Devlin
Jan Butcher Karen McInnes Pam Cocks John Gardiner |
Theresa White | Sarah McCormack |
| Committee (New) | Graeme Souter | Neil Hodgkin | Heather Kirk |
| Communications | Ross Davies | Pam Cocks | Jill Dodd |
The Committee as outlined above was appointed unanimously.
Jill Dodd has resigned from the Committee as Past President and her considerable service to the Club was acknowledged with a rousing applause.
The President outlined the approach taken by the Committee to confer life memberships on four members. The process outlined in the paragraph 4 (e) of the constitution was read and then citations and presentations were read and made for Betty and Jim Finnie, Lester Harvey and Neil Morrison.
Webteam: Ross Davies, in response to Phil Keene’s appreciation of the Webteam, thanked the willingness of Chris Wither, Diane Paterson and latterly Marijke Schofield to step up as necessary to cover for each other. This is a great resource for the Club and the efforts of the Webteam are very much appreciated by all members.
The meeting closed at 1.45 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Jonah Kitto-Verhoef, Halo Project.
Jonah as Operations Pest Manager provided an overview of the organisational structure that focuses on working with communities across four areas, predator free zones, forest habitat restoration, from source to sea and seabird habitat restoration. It soon was very clear that extensive skill sets and passion for the job was required. Jonah demonstrated the extensive concentration of trapping systems and methodologies with predator free zones surrounded by large buffer zones. Jonah demonstrated different trap types and when and how they are used to
the best outcomes; he acknowledged there is a ‘dark side’ to the work. Much of what Jonah demonstrated is on the Halo Project website https://www.haloproject.org.nz/predator-free and this includes resource info sheets for groups and individuals. Clive Crossman thanked Jonah for his talk and presented a donation from the club for the Halo Project’s work
19. Welsh’s Road, Old Farm, Deep Stream Weir. Grade 3 Leaders: Lyn and Di
13 of us set off for the Pipeline, which is just off the old Dunstan trail on Rocklands Station.
We had morning tea under the pine trees where we parked the vehicles. It was a tad cold but we soon warmed up with the walk over the farmland to the pipeline.
It was stunning scenery walking to the Weir and back.
We had lunch in the sun out of the gorge with more room to spread out.
Then took the road back to the cars. It was 8.84ks according to my phone.
Some finished the day with a cuppa at the Wobbly Goat. Another great day out.
18. 17/08/2022 Trampers. Deep Creek Pipeline. 3.5 $10. Barbara Shackell & Judy Dennison
On a foggy old Wednesday morning, with the leader’s phone app threatening rain, 26 trampers met at the rugby grounds, sorted themselves into what appropriate vehicles were available and headed off at 9.30am sharp. A rearrangement of seating occurred when a couple of vehicles joined us at Outram, then again at Clark’s Junction with the addition of Heather’s vehicle, waiting for us at the turn off to Old Dunstan Road (ODR). We regrouped at Rocklands Station gateway, at which point the ODR was locked, and travelled in convoy through the farmyard, between buildings, up the hill and back onto ODR. Some 5km further along, two cars were left at the gateway to the Te Papanui Conservation Park, passengers rearranged again, with a couple of them heading off on foot to our final parking destination two kms further on. Morning tea was had in the shelter of a line of pines (although there was nothing to shelter from!) while a vehicle returned to collect the two pedestrians.
After morning tea the group set off for a couple of km on a comfortable uphill farm road, without stringing out too much at all. Good work Judy (tail-end Charlie!).
Entering the gate to the paddock containing the Deep Creek Gorge we followed a 4WD track to arrive at the pump station a little before noon. From there we picked up the pipeline track and followed it a few hundred metres around to a sunny spot which us allowed a view down into the gorge for a leisurely lunch.
After lunch we crossed the first of a handful of boggy patches and continued along the pipeline track to the weir.
What a difference a week makes – the recce had us walking along snow covered tracks, observing animal tracks in the pristine snow, dodging icicles clinging to overhanging rock, frozen bogs, while the club tramp had virtually no snow visible, the bogs were boggy, but plants – some showing colour – were visible through the rocky cracks and crevices. The weir had a considerably greater flow of water than earlier in the week, presumably from the snow melt.
Some took advantage of the ladders to gain an elevated view of the weir.
From that vantage point the pipe lineman’s hut was also visible and some members on the return walk, climbed up for a looksee at a very dilapidated “shelter”. While the hut is invisible from the track, its position is fortuitously marked by a final telegraph pole.
The return along the pipeline track provided a different perspective of the gorge and it didn’t take long to reach the place we’d had lunch and rather than follow the track the last couple of hundred metres around to the pump house, we took a shortcut, heading uphill, following no track, just the knowledge that we would reach the 4WD track over the brow, where we paused briefly.
A show of hands as we rested indicated that exactly half our number had never been into the gorge previously.
The farm road downhill to the vehicles was covered quickly. We agreed to meet at the Wobbly Goat for coffee, but in the event it was closing as we arrived, and we continued onto Wal’s.
My fears regarding the weather we would strike were unwarranted. Through the fog we were teased with a brief sighting of blue sky nearing Outram in the morning, but then re-entered the ground fog as we climbed up SH87. This cleared completely before Lee Stream and we had perfect weather for the rest of the day – intermittent sun, no wind or rain! A quick read of previous reports on this particular track leads the writer to believe we might have been lucky not to have suffered a debilitatingly cold wind!
Thanks to Rocklands station for permissions; to the drivers of vehicles able to manage the farm tracks, to those who met us away from the Rugby carpark for their punctuality, and everyone for the positive feedback on the day. I think it may be repeated!
Barbara
17. 18/03/2020 Hikers. Deep Creek Pipeline. M. Bob Mitchell and Mike Webb
.The weather was fine with great visibility and from the huts we could see the pipeline snaking its way around the gorge.
From the huts it was a steady climb down to find the track that leads to the pipeline. The track is approximately 2kms in length, and quite narrow in some places with railed walkways over some of the more challenging parts of the track. The views were quite spectacular and we were soon strung out in single file looking like porters on the Ho Chi Minh trail. Frequent photo stops were the order of the day.
From there it was a short walk up to the huts and back down to the cars.
16. 9/1/2019. Deep Creek Gorge Pipeline. Leaders: Theresa and Clive.
31 Trampers, Hikers and Ramblers set out across the tussock of Te Papanui Conservation Park. It was an ideal day for a walk on the tops as there was high cloud keeping what can be a scorching sun off our backs. The 16 degree temperature was just right to get things started after the Christmas/New Year break. 13 of the participants had not been on the walk before and were looking forward to the gorge.
Morning tea
found us being observed by a large herd of cows who seemed very interested in what we were all doing there.
After a twenty minute break we headed on up hill
to the hut at the mouth of the gorge. Having made sure everyone was accounted for it was across the 40 ? or 41 ? bridges and board walks to the weir at the top of Deep Creek.
This gorge is a feature that makes this walk so interesting. As an aside, the DoC blurb advises that there are over 500 species of native insects; plus a wide variety of plants and animals (including pigs and red deer), in the Te Papanui park.
Lunch was taken back at the mouth of the gorge, sheltering from the cool breeze that had sprung up. After lunch the Trampers headed off in a more Easterly directing to add a bit more distance to the completed walk. The hikers and ramblers headed back the way we had come in the morning. The hikers covered about 9.5 kms by the end of the day and were happy to sit down for afternoon tea at the Wobbly Goat about half an hour ahead of the more exercised Trampers group. The consensus was a ‘gorge’-ous days outing! – Clive
15. 26/4/2017. Deep Creek Gorge Pipeline . Leaders: Theresa and Arthur.
Leave the car park and go up SHWY 87 until Clarks Junction. Turn left onto Rocklands Road. Travel on excellent tar seal until you pass the Rocklands Station complex. Now you will be on gravel and at the beginning of the Old Dunstan Trail. Turn left off the Old Dunstan Trail and proceed on farm track for 2 kms. Park cars at the trees. Cross over farm land for a period of time — only down and up one gully,
going in a west / north direction towards the gorge. A gate in the middle of a paddock with a faint track going in the right direction. Two small newish huts with a solar powered panel on roof mark the beginning of the Gorge track. This is part of the Te Papanui Reserve. Traverse pipe line for approx 1/12- 2 kms.
The pipe line is suspended off the cliff high above the Gorge .The track is narrow on the pipe line …
… but is easy and in the main flat. There are many foot bridges to cross. (An in-house challenge to count the number, caused differing results/) One dedicated tramper even ticked them off on a piece of paper .WHO are we to disagree!! A small dam was at the head of a very picturesque Deep Creek Gorge.
Repeat the trip back to the road just beyond the huts. From then it is an easy road tramp back to the cars. 12 very happy trampers enjoyed a WOW 😳 kind of a day out. Approx 10 kms in length. Debrief and coffee at Outram. -Theresa.
14. 9/4/2014. Trampers. Deep Creek. (A replacekment for ‘The Gap’, programmed for the day, which would have turned out extremely muddle.)
13. 31/8/2011. Trampers. Deep Creek.
12. 10/11/2010. Hikers. Deep Creek. Medium. Leaders: Evelyn C, Graham.
11. 12/3/2008 Hikers. Deep Creek. Medium. Leaders: Joyce S, Lesley G
Bob H told us about the water race used in the gold mining days and the pipeline to supplement the Dunedin City’s water supply, built in the 1930s. The farmland had been former tussock country but the gorge was not modified and still supported many alpine plants, including gentians in flower. We had several sightings of NZ Falcons, which are now considered to be diminishing in numbers. It was an exciting area to be hiking in,
as the river was a long way below us and the sides of the gorge very steep. Ian F was making mental notes for the retrieval of anyone who miscalculated their step, but fortunately the plan wasn’t needed. We were back at the cars by 2pm and home to Mosgiel 3pm. An exhilarating day. – Lesley G
10. 13/6/2007 Leaders: George, Abe
9. 23/8/2006. Hikers. Deep Creek, Old Dunstan Road. Medium. Leaders: Val, Arthur & Barbara
8. 24/11/2004. Both. Deep Creek, Lammermoors. Leaders: Evelyn C, Ian, Peter and Wendy
7. 17/4/2002. Alt. Rockland and Deep Creek. Medium. Leaders: Bob H, Bev H, Bev McI.
6. 21/10/1998. Deep Creek from Old Dunstan Trail. Leaders: George, Les S.
5. 24/3/1998. Deep Creek, Rocklands. Leaders: Shirley McN, Ria L, Bev H.
4. 15/10/1997.
3. 8/2/1995. Deep Creek from Old Dunstan Road. Easy. Leaders: Jack R, Bob H, Ted, Dot T.
2. 20/3/1991. Deep Creek Dam and Pipeline. Great viewing and interesting country. Easy+. Leaders: Dave and Jean, Margaret D, Janice.
1. 1/2/89. Deep Creek.
No. 87 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Michelle’s Farm Outram Farm”.
11 km from car park.
Park under Outram Bridge. Contacts: Seek 3 permissions.
Proceed east side of Taieri River along gravel road to gravel pit. Bear right uphill to power lines. Follow generally along grass farm tracks to top of hill.
Landmarks: Trig marker on right; also obvious paper road between two fence lines; Long barn on right (good for lunch stop); large wool shed on top of hill straight ahead (this is still on Hyslop’s property).
Straight on access is to Taioma Road but we don’t usually go that far!
Plenty of mushrooms in April – take a bag!
After ascending a narrow track through scrub we made our way along a ridge on Craig Nichol’s property. Any conversation was ‘gone with the wind’. To quote Evel Knievel “ I love the feeling of fresh air on my face and wind blowing through my hair” – certainly true today!
We decided not to go to the trig – the howling wind spoke to us and we found our way down to a pocket of native bush. The relative calm here was a welcome respite from the punishing wind on the hill top.
Walking roughly parallel to SHW 87 we headed back towards Outram. Thank you farmer Neil for herding a mob of cattle out of our path.
Throwing caution to the wind we walked through a Douglas fir plantation, then a large stand of eucalyptus – fortunately there were few recently dropped branches! The only reportable incident was Diane being blown backwards whilst pivoting on a gate – luckily she was caught by the two behind her ( I rue a missed photo opportunity!)
A nice hill climb took us to wide track Craig recently had dug out back down to the Taieri river, and we were at the cars by 3.00 pm.
A great day out and many thanks to Julie McKenzie and Pam Cox for your assistance.
Distance walked – 13.5 km
Jill Reid
After a “Pow Wow” at top, decision was made to head back on shorter route to cars which also allowed time for refreshments and catch up at Wobbly Goat. A good day to start off the tramping calendar after all the lock downs I really enjoyed it. Gordon.
A short back track and then it was downhill on a farm road in the direction of S.H.87. Nearing the bottom we turned aside, and climbing a barbwire fence (the leader having thoughtfully fitted a pipe safety guard) …
Heading down into Walmsley’s farm gully. (Gordon pic and caption.)… found ourselves in a rough gorsey block.
Emerging once more onto open farmland it was time for a leisurely lunch in the sun, and still with a view to enjoy.
Afterwards we negotiated a paddock or two before entering an exotic forest to climb back up somewhat. In time we retained the turnip field to eventually finish the last leg back on our outward track.
Back to the cars at 2pm after walking over 13 km was good going.
To Outram where some visited the ice cream shop, others to the Hairy Goat – where all eventually congregated. And no one was in a hurry to go home. A day that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
This report comes to you on behalf of Gordon (leader). – Art.
May 2025 Update
Hi everyone
What fantastic days we have been having – the grass and weeds keep growing but time ‘in the hills ‘has been magic – things look a bit different either side of King’s Birthday!
Welcome: A warm welcome to Maryam Purvis, Carol-Anne Buchanan, Jan Palmer and Katherine Martin. It’s great to see you all enjoying your time with us.
At the last Committee meeting the winter trip programme was finalised and is well underway, remember 9.15am meet for 9.30am start after Kings Birthday. Fuel costs were assessed and held at the current level.
It’s always hard to get trip planning perfect but we need to stay focussed on what’s approved and not try and make too many changes. We have adapted the application for membership form for new members to stress the expectation that assistance to lead or be tail end charlie with trips is critical to the growth of the club and that these responsibilities are not limited to a few. We appreciate that organising trips (and recces) comes easier to some but assistance is always at hand! And yes we acknowledge that others have done their share!
We again discussed the formalisation of the ramblers group but decided to leave things as they are – we stay open to feedback on this. From time to time some members informally organise a walk through phone calls the night before or on the day; if they wish you could make use of the web team to send a note out the night before to let others know the where and when.
Speaking of the growth of the Club there will be changes at this years AGM. As most know John Gardiner and I are both standing down (I will become Immediate Past President and stay on the Committee) and Jenni Wright also wishes to step down. Please give your consideration to assisting the club and consider nominations for when we send out AGM papers in July. (Diary the AGM for Thursday 14 August).
Whilst we have a very good framework in the Club, but also keeping it informal, things can always be improved etc and not always done as they always have been! New blood brings new ideas.
Barbara will be organising a night for showing photos from trips members have undertaken – – around the world in an hour or two! If you would like to show some photos please let Barbara know so we can structure the night; each may have to have their top 20 photos or so……
as well Ross will take a short time to demonstrate techniques for photos that we send in to the web team following the weekly walks.
Also as seen a note from Jenni has highlighted the Mid Year lunch at Waihola Tavern on 2 July.
I know politics should not be discussed but the Committee agreed I should do a submission on a community trust proposal for Puketapu – the Palmerston Hill – to cease grazing and implement a restoration plan with clear access to the monument. To hand is a decision from the hearings committee of the Waitaki Council supporting and recommending to the full Council the restoration plan and reducing the grazing area. Also at very short notice I submitted to the DCC on the Tunnels Trust and the link between Wingatui and Abbotsford. Hopefully we’ll get the same posituve result! Happy to provide copies of the submissions on request.
We have had 4 track clearing days this past summer, a little down on the usual but a range of factors have limited our efforts – I’m catching up with the Green Hut Group shortly. Thanks to everyone who volunteered.
If you get the time have a quick refresh of the Track Grading document on the website. The gradings allocated are based on a range of factors as well as a recce could result in slightly different route – and grade from the last walk write up.
Note that track grades do not change because of the weather. The grade is the grade is the grade – regardless of hot and dry or wet and muddy.
There is a footnote in the document ‘Cautions
Although tracks are graded, any track may be more difficult on the day due to conditions like recent rain, deteriorating weather, or fallen trees.’
Lastly a wee reminder if a club plb (locator beacon) is used for a recce – (use of the 3rd plb held by Phil and Raewyn is preferred) then Clive Crossman should be emailed or txt’d ([email protected]/021866410) with the details of the recce. When a plb is activated the authorities contact Clive as our nominee to check the signal is in all probability genuine and real.
Keep walking, keep talking and stay warm
Phil
Link to President’s Update information Library for previous updates
4. 13/09/2023. Trampers. Pine Hill, Mt Cargill. Grade 3.5, $5, 20km, Leaders: John Gardiner, Dave Roberts
Having already somewhat created a “rod for my own back”, in starting the Wizard of Oz theme in my tramp preamble last week, after some prompting, I’ll try to intertwine the “Wizard” theme into this report. Inevitably particularly pertinent to trampers, some yellow brick road references.
On an overcast morning with a chilly wind, 21 trampers, who arrived in 6 cars, set out at 10.00am, on the start of our tramp in Cowan Road. Like Dorothy at the beginning of her yellow brick road journey, most trampers had no idea where they would venture during the day.
– One interpretation of the “Wizard Fable” is that on life’s journey, tenacity, and perseverance in striving for a goal is a core value.
Following the previously described, muddy, gorse lined portal to what lay beneath, morning tea was enjoyed at 10.40am on the lower, wider, gravel road, at a sheltered spot.
– Some believe the gold colour of the yellow brick road and the green “Emerald City” represent the currency arguments the US experienced in the 1900’s.
Soon we were on the track leading down through the forest, with a pine needle carpet underfoot, and after following a fence line, we were soon on the gravel road to Sullivans Dam, arriving at 11.20am.
-During the making of the “Wizard” movie, the snow scene contained fake asbestos based snow that left many on set chronically ill!
Lunch was enjoyed at the beautiful Sullivans Dam, beginning a little early, at 11.50am, in a sheltered spot. We had reached our destination.
-In the Wizard story the Emerald City is a place to which Dorothy, the tin man, the lion, and the scarecrow journey in order to achieve their various dreams.
By 12.15pm we were on our way again, walking around the side of Sullivans Dam to the start of the “Cloud Forests of the Leith” track. This track, with it’s many boardwalk sections and beautiful bush (even a ‘bush telegraph’ and Gnome Grotto) adding yet more variety to our tramp.
-In the Wizard story the yellow brick road was at times very rough. The scarecrow often stumbled over the yellow bricks, which were very uneven, sometimes even broken, or missing altogether, leaving holes that dog Toto (a West Highland Terrier) and Dorothy jumped across or walked around.
Arriving at the top of the Cloud Forests track by 1.20pm, we regrouped with a magnificent view north to Blueskin Bay and beyond, before following the gravel road to the base of the “portal” gorse lined track.
On this section a navigational error by your’s truly resulted in everyone walking a bit further than necessary to a dead end part of the road. The greatest consequence of this being my embarrassment!
– In the Wizard story, Dorothy follows the yellow brick road, intending to find the Wizard, who would bestow on her the knowledge to achieve her goal, only to find that she had the answer within her all along.
Heading up the gorse lined final section of our tramp took us back to the cars by 2.30pm, having covered approx 8 km. A Grade 3 tramp.
-So where was the yellow brick road? Some believe it is a brick road in Peekshill, New York, where author L.Frank Baum attended Peekshill Military Academy. Others believe it was inspired by a road paved in yellow bricks near Holland, Michigan where Baum spent many summers.
Afternoon tea was enjoyed at the Crocodile Cafe, Dunedin Botanic Garden, on what had developed into a mild , sunny day. As a footnote – I did apply and receive a permit to walk on the City Forests section of this tramp, only to receive a later email, stating that it wasn’t necessary if we stayed on the Escarpment or 3 Peaks tracks.
Special thanks to Dave Roberts for acting as tail end Charlie and Graeme Souter for his help with the rece.
– Goodbye yellow brick road.
John Gardiner.
This page of club tramps and hikes on the Otago Peninsula groups together trips to Portobello. (map)
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
Drive along Portsmouth Drive and turn left over the causeway and follow Portobello Road to Portobello township – approx. 19 kms. At Portobello township turn right onto Allans Beach Road to park at the Portobello Reserve..
20/05/2026. Nyhon and Hereweka Tracks. Grade 3.5. Trampers. Leaders: Esther Willis & Lyn Keene.
19/02/2025. Hereweka Road / Portobello . Grade 3.5. Trampers. Leaders: Di Bezett, Lyn Keene.
Portobello, Clarks, Sheppards, McArthny, Varleys Hills. 2023 – 2008 (13 trips with 10 reports, plus 2 with photos only)
Portobello, Hatchery Road, Quarantine Point. 2022 – 2005 (10 trips with 2 reports plus 3 with photos only)
The original plan was for 2 moles – one from Taiora Head and one at Aramoana but due to budget restraints only the one at Aramoana was constructed. The aim of the mole was to protect the harbour entrance from silting by directing the tidal flow to keep a channel open for ships.
Construction started in 1884. Wooden piles were driven into the seabed with a railway line being built on the top to cart rorck from a local quarry. This rock was continually dumped along the mole for 4 years. Convict labourers were originally used, changing to unemployed men in 1886.
The mole was not built to its full specified height. Due to this and other factors it was decided to rebuild the mole with more piles driven, more rock added and with it being heighten and extended in the 1920s. Between 1926 and 1945 steamer ships were scuttled to protect it from erosion. Some streets in the township are named after these ships.
Near the end of the 1950s concrete structures called tetrapods were placed at the end of the pole to protect it. These had to be reinforced with more rocks and asphalt to stop them being move around by the sea.
As we saw on our trip (10/9/2025) the mole requires ongoing upkeep to keep it being effective against the ravages of the sea.
Written by Jan Palmer
The trampers continued up Siberia Road…
It was an interesting part of the Akatore Block, thanks Bruce S for sourcing.
9. 12/7/2006. Trampers. Stewarts Forestry, Gorge Hill, Windy Ridge, Narrowdale Road. Leaders: Graham, Ian
8. 24/3/2004 Trampers. Gorge Hill. Medium. Leaders: Doug M, Bob H
7. 25/7/2001. Gorge Hill – Narrowdale Road. Medium. Leaders: Donny, Graham, Irene
Click here for Antony Hamel’s YouTube video showing his exploration of the 5 falls of Nicols Creek.
Booth Road 16.1 km from car park.
Nicols Creek – Information and Trips Library
Hi Sarah. You were a late incumbent to the leadership of this tramp?
– Yes, Ross was originally down to lead it, but back problems meant he asked me to lead it instead. (Best wishes for a speedy recovery Ross.)
Did you do a recce the Saturday prior?
– That’s right, Craig went mountain biking, and I went exploring on foot, in the area, to finalize the tramp format.
Were the group lucky with the weather on the day?
-The weather was brilliant. Sunshine, little or no wind and temperatures towards the mid-teens. The tracks were reasonably dry.
And did we have a good attendance?
– There were 18 of us – arriving at Tanner Rd/Fulton Rd corner in 7 cars.
What was the tramp route?
-We started on the Pineapple Track, walking up to the Pump House for morning tea.
Then we carried on up the Pineapple Track, turning off at McGouns Track onto the Old Pineapple Track. This led us to the “new” Pineapple Track by Pineapple Point.
From here we followed the lower track, traversing Nicols Creek before arriving at the Mountain Bike picnic table at 11.55am for lunch.
After lunch it was onto the upper track, traversing Nicols Creek.
Then onto the “new” Pineapple Track, and back to the cars via McGouns Track.
Wahl!! I think you lost me somewhere there! Did the tramp take long Sarah?
– The recce only took me 3 hours. On the day the tramp took us much longer at 5 hours. Some technical terrain reduced the tramp down to a crawl pace in parts.
Did you manage to squeeze in coffee afterwards?
– Only just. We were back at the cars by 3.00pm, then headed straight to the Fire Station Cafe’ in Roslyn.
How would you describe the shape of the tramp?
– Roughly a double figure 8.
Sounds lucky, I think? Thanks for the interview, Sarah.
Continue reading “Nicols Creek, Swampy, Pineapple Track, Moon Track, Booth Road”
27. 30/08/2023. Hikers. Bethunes Gully to Mt Cargill. Grade 2 Leaders: Bill and Bruce
32 hikers assembled at Bethunes Gully carpark on a beautiful if slightly brisk morning. We set off just after 10.00am and after negotiating our way over and around a fallen Pine tree stopped in a semi-sunny glade for morning tea amongst the Pines – these trees must be amongst some of the tallest and straightest in the country.
The track was in pretty good order for winter – minimal mud but slippery rocks and bridges further up the track required extra care – apart from a couple of minor slips we managed to complete the day intact.
Not long after morning tree it was decided to split into two groups with Jill Dodd volunteering to lead the second pack – there was still only a 10 minute gap between arrival times at the top of the mountain.
The birdlife along the way was in great voice and Katrina even identified a Kingfisher welcoming us onto the track. The native bush section of the walk is quite beautiful complete with an abundance of ferns, some majestic old Rimus, clear streams and even the odd waterfall.
The steps at the top of the walk are real thigh killers and we were all very relieved to finally arrive at the summit and a well-earned lunch. The 360-degree panorama of Dunedin, the peninsula and surrounding districts is stunning and well worth the effort! The temperature was up around 15 degrees and led to many layers of clothing getting tucked away into packs.
There was a discussion during lunch re the grading of the walk and while officially it is a 2 the majority agreed that it was more like a 3 – Ady told me during coffee that it felt more like a 6!
After a fairly uneventful trip back down we adjourned to the Blacks Road Grocery cafe – this slightly quirky cafe was a lovely place to conclude a very enjoyable day – coffee and treats well deserved!
There was a lot of learning in my first hike as the group leader, particularly around identifying the appropriate pace to set and the timing of breaks. I couldn’t have asked for better support from the more experienced members of the group as I negotiated my way through the various stages and protocols on the day. Special thanks to Bruce, Jill and Jenni but many others chipped in to keep me on the straight and narrow.
All in all a lovely day and living proof that age is no barrier to serious physical achievement.
Cheers Bill
26. 16/08/2023. Trampers. Forrester Park and environs. Grade 3, $6, 23km, Leaders: John Gardiner, Dave Roberts
After the cancellation of the previous two week’s tramps due to the weather, 27 eager trampers were “chaffing at the bit” when they arrived at Forrester Park.
Weather conditions weren’t quite ideal, but were pretty good, for a chance to finally get out and enjoy each other’s company, and get some exercise.
The Forrester Park area was known to most, but some weren’t very familiar with it, or hadn’t been there for some time. With some new members and regular hikers, we initially did a circuit around the perimeter of the park, on cycle trails. For Alex Griffin , it must have been satisfying to experience these trails again, having supervised their construction by Task Force Green members, many years earlier.
We stopped at the public toilets at about 10.50am, and again for a regroup at the park’s “Gate to Nowhere.” A novelty, the gate sits at right angles to the end of an existing fence, left presumably after an earlier fence was removed. The gate is, of course, padlocked shut! Anyway this initial stroll gave everyone a chance to see the park’s amenities; the football fields, dog-park, Dog Club building, and BMX Track.
Morning Tea was enjoyed in the sun, overlooking the, “Events Car park”, with it’s established and recently developed native plantings, complete with two resident Pukeko.
From here we walked across the road to Bethunes Gully, arriving at a cycle trail above the vehicle entrance at 11.45am. A myriad of cycle trails lie on this side of the forested hill, north of the main vehicle driveway. Having explored some of these, including some “make shift” accommodation found in the forest, we descended to the main gully track, went up the hill a little, then off to our left onto a cycle trail.
This trail, complete with boardwalks, took us uphill through forest and bush areas, before we again came out onto the main track. A steeper uphill climb saw us rewarded when we arrived at the waterfalls, before we back tracked to a suitable bank to sit on and have lunch.
This 30 minute break ended at 1.00pm, when we were on our way downhill again. Those who thought their efforts for the day were winding down had one last surprise in store! By 1.15pm we were back into the bush again, climbing to the highest point of the cycle trails, we had initially explored upon entering Bethunes gully. An advanced cycle trail, complete with jumps, then one with the endearing name of “Dead Cow Gully” taking us back to the Bethunes Gully entrance. The twists and turns of these mountain bike trails provide an adrenalin rush, a physical and mental challenge, to master on a bike. When walking these twists and turns, they provide a less frenetic, but almost as emersive experience.
By 2.05pm we were back at the cars, with four cellphones giving four different figures regarding how far we’d walked. Somewhere between 7.84 and 10km was the range, with two phones reading just on 9km, so we’ll go with 9km! Afternoon tea was enjoyed at Blacks Road Grocer, which we filled to capacity.
A thank-you to Christopher and his staff, for his hospitality, and speedy delivery of hot drinks to our band of 27. In summary, an enjoyable day. The Forrester Park and Bethunes Gully area is a versatile one for tramping or hiking, providing lots of options, it lends itself to a future combined Wednesday outing. Thanks to Dave Roberts for accompanying me on the main rece and acting as tail end charlie on the day.
Regards,
John
25. 15/7/2020. Hikers. Bethunes Gully, Mount Cargill. Leaders : Mike and Jim
24. 25/9/2019. Trampers. Bethunes Gully, Mount Cargill. Jill D.
With a very threatening weather forecast 16 intrepid trampers parked at Bethunes Gully ,before traversing the track towards the television tower at the summit of Mt Cargill 600 meters above .We were greeted with birdsong along the way .The vegetation changed as we followed the track through pine plantation then opening to more scrubby vegetation but it did provide shelter from a southerly wind.
Along the way we had views over to the peninsula and harbour areas and also to the famous Brown House location -this providing some interesting reflections of party times of our younger days !!
There were clear views of the summit ,tower and nearby Buttars Peak .We knew we were getting closer to the top with the noise of the wind whistling through the tower .
The views from the top were amazing almost 360 degrees north up the coast east and west and to the south over Dunedin however we didn’t stay long up there.
Lunch was at the the junction to the Organ Pipes and Buttars Peak
where a smaller group checked the peak out
before rejoining the rest of the group on the descent.
This was a shorter walk over a well formed gravel track even the steps on the final ascent to the top appear to be newer and easier to negotiate
– all in all 10.4 kms and clean boots !
The coffee stop was at the Crocodile cafe at the Gardens ,where we rearranged the seating and general chit chat creating a relaxed end to the day .We were very lucky the weather held out till back in Mosgiel. – Jill D.
23. 28/8/2019. Hikers. Bethunes Gully. M. Leaders: Jay and Jan B.
On Wednesday 28th August 2019 24 Hikers/Ramblers met at Bethunes Gully to walk up to Mt Cargill. The day was suitably warm and made for pleasant walking conditions.
7 Ramblers organised themselves to walk up as far as they wanted and they were joined by another member who decided to go back with the Ramblers and the remaining 17 took off at a steady pace up the gradual climb to near the top where there were 127 steep steps to negotiate to bring us to the communications tower at the top of Mt Cargill.
There we sat in the sunshine having lunch and admiring the 360 degree view of Dunedin and up the coastline to Karitane. After a good rest we started our downward hike.
We all took our time getting down the steps as most people find going down is harder than going up. On the way back one of our long standing members [It was our 90-year-old Doug! – Ed.] was having trouble with his legs as they had lost strength and were feeling jellylike. But hardy fellows in the group stood on each side of him and helped him back to the carpark. Well done men!!
Clive and Lindsay took him to A & E where he spent the night. All was well.
Coffee was at the Gardens Crocodile Cafe. Leaders for the day were Jan and Jay.
Ramblers: Out talking and watching the birds on the Bethunes Gully track.
A record crowd of 8 of us climbed the track out of the Gully as far as we felt like it. Lunched at an early 11.30 a.m. beside the track, and sauntered back down to enjoy a leisurely sit in the sun back in the domain, to wait out the delayed return of the Hikers.
Birds, their song and tiny fresh spring fuchsia leaves containing bellbird-nectar-sipped flowers where highlights.
P.S. Doug at home the next afternoon, was ruefully nursing his shattered pride, as he came to terms with what had happened the day before. – Ian.
22. 13/9/2017. Trampers. Bethunes Gully. M. Leader: Eleanore.
Firstly, alongside Lindsay Creek. The track climbs steadily up the flank of Mt. Cargill, first through pine forest and then regenerating native forest. We found a cosy spot and enjoyed a smoko break. Once again we climbed steadily to the top of the ridge between Mt. Cargill and Buttars Peak. The intersection to the Organ Pipes Track was reached, by now we knew the mast was getting closer. Only to find we had to climb steps to reach the top!
The weather was calm and the views fantastic.
For quite a few members it was a first time visit to this track. Also, the company of the intrepid adventurer Judy Knox was enjoyed. We continued onto the A.H. Reed track where lunch was had.
The beauty of this track is the downhill—all the way to the car park!
We chose the little coffee shop near Baldwin Street for coffee, cake and a chat.
We travelled 10.9km and climbed 676 metres to the mast on top of Mt. Cargill
Another great outing had by all. – Eleanore Ryan.
21. 28/9/2016. Hikers. Bethunes Gully. H. Leaders: Adrienne and Judy K.
21 hikers with an age range of 12 to 89 (is that a record?) gathered at the car park at the start of the Bethunes Gully track. It was fine (well, not raining anyway) when we left Mosgiel, and dry at the start of the track, but a nasty creepy little drizzle hung round us the higher we went. Loud bird calls accompanied us for the steady climb up the gully on a well-formed track, slightly muddy in places, across several bridges where the creeks were running a bit higher than usual, to a welcome morning tea break on the side of the track.
Slow and steady was the order of the day, with plenty of stops to get breath back. Up – and up – and up. Several fell by the wayside – first two, then two more. When at last the junction for the Organ Pipes and the Mt Cargill summit was reached, 10 more subsided and declared “Lunch!”
An intrepid 7 continued another half hour to the summit (a first for some), up the steps in annoying drizzle. No views available from the top.
so it was down to the junction again for lunch.
By which time the other 10 had departed, it being a bit cold and damp to hang around.
Down – and down – and down – collecting strays as we went. Fred wasn’t present but his chocolates were, and much appreciated, thanks Fred. It was warm and sunny back …
… at the cars so parkas were discarded for the ride to the Botanic gardens and a well-earned (we think) coffee stop. – Adrienne and Judy K.
20. 30/9/2015 Trampers. Bethunes Gully, Mt Cargill, Organ Pipes return.
… & a chat with a guy from the university language department who had a group of very well dressed [all in black suits] Chinese visitors to the city, we made our way back to the Organ Pipes track. After a regroup here, we walked down to the Organ Pipes …
19. 21/9/2011. Bethunes Gully, Mt Cargill, Buttars Peak, Organ Pipes, Old Main North Road, Brown House corner, Norwood Street, Bethunes Gully.
18. 27/10/2010. Hikers. Bethunes Gully, track junction with summit/Organ Pipes. Medium. Leaders: Lesley G, Joyce.
17. 5/5/2010. Both. Bethunes Gully, Bike Tracks. M-. Leaders: Bob and Evelyn.
We parked cars at by the toilets at the end of Cluny Street (that’s what the Map said. Didn’t know that before.) in Bethunes Gully. Bob and Evelyn were to turn on a delightful surprise for us all. They led us back down the road to the gate to discover for us on the left a bike track leading up through the trees. We admired the loving attention lavished on the system of tracks by bike devotees as we climbed up through the un-pruned Oregon plantation. After a morning tea stop we ascended yet further to reach the plantation’s NE corner. Then it was down to our left back into the gully.
We emerged at the head of the grassed part of the gully at the bridge across the Lindsay Stream.
After the leaders had ascertained all seventeen of us were back up onto the walkway from the Lookout, (with Ken obtaining dispensation to carry on on his own to Mount Cargill, as he had come in his own car), they took us part way back down the walkway before striking off on the right up a rutted vehicle track through the bush,
… from which eventually a track led off to the left and down to parallel the walkway back down the bridge and then it was just a short walk to the cars.
16. 24/5/2006 Bethunes Gully, Mt Cargill, Buttars Peak, Organ Pipes,Old Main North Road, Brown House corner, Norwood Street, Bethunes Gully. Leaders: Judy, Tash
15. 15/6/2005. Trampers. Bethunes Gully, Mount Cargill. Leaders: Hazel, Ria.
14. 23/5/2007. Hikers. Bethunes Gully, Mount Cargill. Medium. Leaders: Betty, Dot T.
13. 5/11/2003. Trampers. Bethunes Gully, Buttars Peak, round trip. Medium. Leaders: D Jenkins, B McCabe
11. 28/8/2002 Bethunes Gully to Mount Cargill, Organ Pipes return. Leaders: Ray & Diana, Val
10. 16/5/2001. Bethunes Gully. Leaders: Nancy, Dot and Nelson.
9. 19/4/2000. Bethunes Gully, Mount Cargill. Leaders: Judy C, Mary M, Bev McI.
8. 27/5/1998. Bethunes Gully, Organ Pipes, North Road. Leaders: Hugh and Judith.
7. 25/3/1998. Bethunes Gully, Organ Pipes return. Leaders: Betty, Denise.
6. 25/3/1998 Bethunes Gully to Mount Cargill, Organ Pipes return. Leaders: B Bryce, D Pearce
5. 30/7/1997. Bethunes Gully, Mount Cargill. Leaders: Diana and Ray, Catherine.
4. 9/7/1997. Norwood Street, Bethunes Gully, Opoho. Leaders: Shirley McN, Pat, Wendy.
3. 27/9/1995. Pine Hill, Mount Cargill Track, Waitati Road, Bethunes Gully, North East Valley. Medium+. Leaders: Ria L, Catherine, Ria H, Shirley R
2. 12/5/1993 Pine Hill Road, Cowans Road, Mt Cargill, Old Mt Cargill Main North Road, Return Bethunes Gully, North East Valley. Back to Pine Hill Road. Leaders: Ria L, Catherine T, Penny & Peter
1. 11/4/1990 Bethunes Gully, Mt Cargill, Buttars Peak, Organ Pipes,Old Main North Road, Brown House corner, Norwood Street, Bethunes Gully. Leaders: Margaret S, Hartmann, Bev H, Peter R
Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
Presidents report 2023-2024
It is my pleasure to present this report.
The year has been another outstanding one with 80 or so walks enthusiastically completed by members across the walking spectrum! Our membership stands at 131.
Particular Highlights have been –
– a very successful ‘combination’ Xmas function at North Taieri that included the garden tour at Joy and Peter Horrell’s, an uphill walk that took the breath away and then a successful Xmas lunch. The bring and buy also worked well!
– A week of walking, with some challenges, and talking based at Kelvin Heights in the Queenstown Lakes District that catered for all capabilities and there are so many more options in that area… Over recent years we have also visited the Upper Hollyford, Borland Lodge, and Bannockburn. What could be next?
– a successful mid-winter function enjoying the spectacular Tunnel Beach walkway followed by a great meal and camaraderie at the Concord Tavern, so successful that I see the Tavern is now going to double in size! Goes to show hospitality is still a goer if you get the mix right.
The Committee has worked very well together to produce another varied walking and social programme as well as address matters of the moment; we have monitored the membership numbers and impact on walks, and options for formalising the Ramblers, fuel costs for trips, and tweaked the track gradings and track guidelines documents. In addition, working with the Web team, the club’s website is undergoing a makeover and is receiving great feedback for its clarity and simplicity.
The working bee approach to the track maintenance on the Lake Whare track network we undertake on behalf of the Green Hut Group was a significant achievement with 220 hours of volunteer time – so successful that the Green Hut Group would like to add a couple more tracks to our responsibilities! We’ll hold fire on that until we get underway again over the summer. Our efforts are reported through the GHG to DCC and DOC.
I would particularly like to thank John Gardiner, Jenni Wright and Ross Davies for their support and great work through the year. Also, Karen McInnes, Jan Butcher and Jay Devlin for their committee work as they have stepped down this year. Jan and Jay have been on the committee since 2018/2019 respectively, and always provided good practical advice and solutions. They have been the drivers for the Hiker’s Walk programme. Thanks so much.
I move that this report be adopted
Seconder
Phil Keene August 2024