Category: West Habour

Heyward Point – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the West Harbour area groups together trips to Heyward Point,(map) from both Heyward Point Road and Aramoana.

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

Part: Tramping Track, Managed by DOC.
Rest: Not during lambing September-November.

Access Permissions maybe required as this trip can venture over a working farm – refer guidelines

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.

How To Get There:

(1) Heyward Point – drive SH88 to Port Chalmers. Just before the township turn sharp left onto Borlases Road then right onto Blueskin Road. Follow this road past the Scott Memorial to Purakaunui Road, turn right and continue to Heyward Point Road, again turn right. Parking is available at the end of this road  at the start of the Heyward Point track.

(2) Aramoana – drive via SH88 to Port Chalmers. Proceed through the township to the roundabout and take the left exit onto Aramoana Road. This road passes Careys Bay, Deborah Bay etc and continues to Aramoana township. Take Moana Street which leads to the Mole, for parking.

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

14/01/2026. Heyward Point Track. Grade 3. Hikers.  Leaders: Sue Beal and Jan Palmer
16/07/2025. Heyward Point from Aramoana. Grade 3.5. Trampers .  Leaders: Karen McInnes, Gail Williams.

Heyward Point, Kaikai Beach, Whareakeake Road. 2024 – 1989 (20 trips with 13 reports).
Aramoana, Heyward Point, Murdering Beach Road. 2005 – 1997 (10 trips, 1 with photo only)

Aramoana – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes covers trips in the West Harbour area and groups together trips to Aramoana township including the Mole, Shelley Beach also known as The Spit, Spit Beach (known as Big Beach) and the Salt Marsh board walk. (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.

Definitions:
Aramoana: Pathway of the Sea.
The Spit, known as Shelley Beach.
The Mole: The mole has deprived the Spit of its natural supply of sand.
In 1992 a short board walkway was constructed at this point to try and stop further erosion. Managed by Port of Otago.
Spit Beach. Known as Big Beach. Rock to explore. Great sand slope, towering volcanic cliffs.
Key Rock.
Salt marsh flats. Path. Conservation area. Managed by DOC.

A Brief History of the Mole

How To Get There:

Take SH88 to Port Chalmers. Proceed through the township to the roundabout and take the left exit onto Aramoana Road. This road passes Careys Bay, Deborah Bay etc and continues to Aramoana township. Take Moana Street which leads to the Mole, for parking.

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

10/09/2025. Aramoana. Grade 2. Hikers. Leaders: Peter Horrell, Jan Palmer.

Aramoana. 2022 – 1989 (17 trips with 8 reports)

Doctors Point, Mopanui, McKessar, Purakaunui, Osborne – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of Club tramps and hikes to  West Harbour and groups together trips to Doctors Point, Mopanui, McKesslar Track, Purakaunui and Osborne townships. (map)

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.

Note: check tides for beach at Doctors Point

The stone-walled ruins on Mckessar Track (General Information)
Mapoutahi Pa (General Information)

A short Purakaunui timeline taken from Te Pari Rehu, The Misty Cliffs by Stan Durry and Dawn Paterson- see Purakanuai and environs trip.

How To Get There:

(1) Doctors Point – take SH1 North to Waitati and at the end of the motorway turn right into Harvey Street. Continue through the township and turn left onto Doctors Point Road. Follow this road which crosses Michies Crossing and descends to the beach where ample parking is available.

(2) Purakanui – take SH88 to Port Chalmers and just prior to the township turn sharp left onto Borlases Road then right onto Bluskin Road. Continue past the Scott Memorial to the intersection and turn right onto  Purakaunui Road. Follow this road and turn left onto Boundary Road which will descend to the domain and parking.

(3) Osborne – as per Purakaunui directions above until the intersection on Purakaunui Road with Purakaunui School Road and  turn left. This road descends to the inlet, turn left and continue to Purakaunui Station Road. Turn left, the road ascends to the railway line and Osborne where parking is available.

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

08/04/2026. Purakaunui Curcuit. Grade 2. Hikers.  Leaders: Katrina Mc Kenzie and Cathy Ferguson.
18/03/2026. Doctors Point/Mopanui. Grade 4. Trampers. Leaders: Graeme Souter and John Barrett.
27/08/2025. Purakaunui and environs. Grade 3. Hikers.  Leaders: Katrina McKenzie and Jill Thomas
30/07/2025. Purakaunui/ Mopanui. Grade 4. Trampers.  Leaders: Carol and Clare.

Doctors Point, McKessar, Mopanui, Ridgeline. 2024 – 1992 (16 trips with 14 reports)
Orokonui, Mopanui, South Face. 2024 – 1992 (16 trips with 14 reports)
Purakaunui, Mopanui, north face, ret. 2022 – 2010 (6 trips with 6 reports)
Doctors Point area tramps. 2023 – 2008 (25 trips with 20 reports)
Purakaunui. 2021 – 1989 (16 trips with 6 reports)
McKessar Track. 2018 – 2016 (3 trips with 2 reports, 1 photos only)
Potato Point, Purakaunui. 2011 – 2003 (5 trips, 3 with photos only)

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)