Category: Trampers

Distances from car-park: Top of Buskin Track 24 km, Glenfalloch 24 km, Macandrew Bay 25 km.

Karetai, Tomahawk, Soldiers Monument, Smaills Beach, Highcliff, Buskins Tracks – Information and Trips Library

25/05/2022.  Trampers.  Greenacres, Buskin, Paradise Tracks. M. Leaders: Anne and Rod Ward

It started as a cold blustery day when we departed from Mosgiel, proceeding down the bay with white caps plentiful on the harbour. 14 hardy souls started the Greenacres Track at 0940.

Conditions were better than expected once we started our journey up Greenacres Track and turned right to walk along Highcliff Road to the start of the Buskin Track.

We stopped for a cuppa at the start of the Buskin Track then proceeded down the track to the junction of Paradise Track. Buskin Track was surprisingly sheltered from the cold southerly wind.

After a side walk to Boulder Beach which was spectacular with crashing waves, foam whipping up the beach and blustery cold wind we returned to a sheltered spot at the start of the Paradise Track for lunch.

Ascending up Paradise Track without stopping and a cold southerly on our backs we again joined Highcliff Road then back down Greenacres Track to our vehicles.

Everyone enjoyed the walk and as tramp leader I must congratulate everyone for being so well prepared for the extreme conditions that never eventuated.

Finished our walk at 1440 and headed to “The Duck” at Macandrew Bay for a well-deserved coffee.

Anne & Rod Ward

Glenfalloch’s name is Gaelic and means “Hidden Valley”.  Glenfalloch was established in 1871 by George Russell. It covers 12 hectares (30 acres). In 1917 Philip Barling purchased Glenfalloch and it was opened to the public by his son in 1956. It was brought by the Mills family in 1960 and in the late 1960’s the Otago Peninsula Trust purchased the property.  We can be very grateful to have this asset to enjoy every season of the year.

9.40am saw Phil and his harem of nine set off through the woodland gardens of Glenfalloch following a path which took us to the Bridal Lawn, over the Russell stream bridge to admire the ferns and woodland foliage before climbing up many steps to a four-wheel drive track and the start of our first big ascent.

As we steadily climbed, this track petered out into a single overgrown track which took us to the boundary line.

Here we pushed our way through low Manuka branches to the fence where packs and poles were thrown over before we squeezed through the wires.

Then it was a steady zigzag climb up Claremont Farm to just below Highcliff Rd where we stopped for morning tea while enjoying the great vista’s back over the city, the sparkling water of the harbour and to Port Chalmers and beyond. Jill D’s birthday treat of easter eggs got us going again walking up Highcliff Road for 15mins to Penzance Kennels and the start of Buskin track.

This track weaved its way down the side of the hill, again with spectacular views now of the Pacific Ocean and rolling farmland out to Sandfly Bay. This single file track was mostly grass with the odd churned up muddy patches trampled by cattle, but some boards had been placed in situ. We eventually came to a junction with Braidwood track to Boulder Beach and Highcliff Track to the right. We continued on the Highcliff track through clumps of macrocarpa trees until we came out in the open again.

The track weaved its way towards the sea and then suddenly it was a steep grunt up to the top to the White Rocks (lichen covered) for lunch.

Again, enjoying spectacular views over Boulder Beach, towards Sandfly Bay and Mt Charles, Phil handed around chocolate treats from Betty and Jim (thank you soo much).

With the sugar rush we were off again and, as we walked around a corner, the views changed again to Tomahawk, St Clair Beach and Black head. When Highcliff Track finished, we continued on Karetai Rd to where it meets Highcliff Rd.  A 20-minute walk down Highcliff Rd brought us to the unmarked District Track.

Once Phil cleared the grass around the stile, we scrambled down through long grass following the fence line for 20 mins to another stile and from there continued through trees towards Portobello Road.

A very steep final descent brought us onto Portobello Road.

We had a 20 minute walk on the shared pathway to Glenfalloch where we were joined by Raewyn, Claire and Jan for coffee, cake and ice cream on the deck in the last rays of sunshine.

Thank you Helen for filling in at the last minute as Tail End Charlie and to Jason allowing us access through Claremont Farm.  Pam Cocks

Lunch (Ken pic)

… overlooking Double Bay, with Boulder Beach off to our RH side.

When we got back to Braidwood Rd. we had a conference to decide which way we would go back to the car. It was agreed that we would go up the Highcliff Track, & out via Karati Rd. I think some would regret that decision about 1/2 way up !! Anyway, we all made it to the top, & back to the car.
When asked what they thought of the walk, one member, who had never been around there before, took about a minute to answer, & then said “it was interesting” !!!
We walked 12.2km; 3.7km/hr; 3hrs 19mins moving time; climbed 540mtrs. – Ken.

GPS, courtesy Ken. GPS track has attached itself to previous tramps on Google Earth. So ignore middle left lead off from Buskin. Also middle right and pink top.

Buskin Slip

Remote Hide

We made our way back up and across thee paddocks this time and onto the lower part of Braidwood Road, descended this, now more storm-gutted than ever, went up Paradise track and along Highcliff Road to the cars. An interesting and different Boulder Beach expedition. Thanks, Ken. – Ian.

Buskin

Dunedin from soldiers monument. (Ken pic and caption)

Morning tea stop on track above Tomahawk inlet. (Ken pic and caption)

Buskin track. (Ken pic and caption)

Boulder Beach from top of Buskin track. (Ken pic and caption)

Lunch stop at junction of track to Boulder Beach, & Karatai Rd. (Ken pic and caption)

then it was a steep climb up to Karatai Rd. where we turned left, & walked down to Smaills Beach, then back to the cars. About 15.6km on a very nice day, most enjoyable. – Ken

Cliff View

Seven trampers met beside the Penzance Kennels on Highcliff and, undaunted by the thick fog that covered the whole of the Peninsula and beyond, set off on what proved to be an interesting walk.

We walked down the Buskin track until it intersected with the Highcliff track. A little way along the Highcliff track we found a very sheltered spot amidst some old macracarpas for a morning tea break, being very careful not to make contact with the prolific growth of ongaonga bushes. Refreshed, we began the very steep haul up to the top of the cliff and a clearing in the fog enabled us to wonder at the white lichen covered rocks, sheer cliffs and steep drops.

View of Boulder Beach

Hardy trampers

Although unable to enjoy the views for most of the walk, Bruce made up for this by pointing out to us sites and remains of the old homesteads, stone fences and old fence posts. Even more interesting were the accounts he read to us of what life was like for the early farming families from a book by Hardwick Knight. Thank you Bruce for sharing this with us, enabling us to have a very enjoyable tramp on a grey day. – Marjorie

6. 09/02/2022. Trampers.  Purakanui Leaders: Chris Wither and Jill Davie

With low cloud obscuring the hilltops, sixteen trampers headed to the beautiful Purakanui Inlet and parked at the Mopanui Road picnic ground.  The intention had been to climb to the top of Mopanui to enjoy the wonderful views there, but the weather meant a change of plan was required.

After a 2km hike around the edge of the inlet the group stopped for morning tea.

We then headed up steep Purakanui Station Road to Osborne Station.  From there, thanks to Peter remembering that mates from some decades ago used to hike from Osborne to the station to catch the train to school, the group discovered a great 1km long track below the railway line that led through the bush to the Osborne township.

From there we made our way through the pines and over the dunes to Mapoutahi for lunch.

This was followed by the short climb to the centre of the peninsula where there were great views to be had.

We retraced our steps around the Purakanui Inlet to the cars to complete the 14.3km long tramp. Chris

4. 14/11/2012 Tunnels Track, Yellow Ridge, The Gap, Gap Ridge

Four intrepid trampers gathered at the Bush Rd. car park before setting off at 8:30am on an adventure that 3 of us had never done before. The fact that Dermot had managed to get a key from City Forests for the gates on Mountain Rd. saved us about 9km of walking time, as we were able to drive right to the start of the Tunnels track. We set off down this track at about 9:30, & went to explore the tunnels themselves, a new experience for 2 of the group. Arriving at the grassy area at the bottom by the river, we had morning tea, & then set off across the river, without getting wet feet, & started the relentless climb up Yellow Ridge. On reaching the new Philip J. Cox hut, we had a short break to regain our breath, admire the hut, it’s fixtures & facilities. {We even swept the floor when we left]

The next task was to get to the Gap for lunch, however remote this possibility seemed as, the track actually goes past it, instead of towards it for a while, & you start to wonder when you will be getting closer.

At this point, one member of the group decided that he would go back to the hut & wait for us there. We eventually did get to the Gap,

3. 20/2/2002 Tunnels Track, Yellow Ridge, The Gap, Gap Ridge Leaders: George, Ian, Hazel

2. 23/2/2000. The Gap via Yellow Hut. Leaders: Margaret and Les, Ian.

1. 12/11/1997. Tunnels Track to Yellow Hut and Gap. Leaders: Les and Margaret, Claude.

13. 24/2/2021. Trampers. Powder Ridge. Leaders Jill Reid and Karen McGinnes.

10 trampers set out from Whare Flat to walk up and along Powder Ridge on a fabulous Dunedin  day. We enjoyed birdsong along the Silver Stream and made three creek crossings before  heading up the Powder Ridge track.

The track was in a great condition, and although very steep  in sections, steps cut into the hill make the climb less difficult.

The vegetation changed from  mostly Kanuka and ferns to more alpine plants, then tussock as we neared the 586 m high point.  

Unfortunately wilding Douglas fir trees are becoming established in the tussock. After lunch enjoying the expansive views we began our return trip. A knotted rope on the first  steep section aided us going down ( and up!) 

Neil and Carol had decided about two thirds of the way was enough for them today, and turned  back……sensibly leaving 3 branch arrows along the track to ensure us they were safe & well! 

With temperatures reaching into the high 20’s some of us were very happy to cool our feet on the  creek crossings on the return trip. 

A most enjoyable tramp of about 15 km. 

Jill & Karen

12. 19/10/2016. Trampers. Powder Ridge. H. Leader: Arthur.

Eight Trampers made an early start from Mosgiel to conquer Powder Ridge.

The day began sunny and pleasant, but late showers were a possibility.

Parking at the Silverstream Pump-House, we had two river crossings to get onto the Powder Ridge Track. The water was deeper at the weir, giving some wet feet. Being well prepared, they changed into dry socks for the main tramp.

After crossing Powder Creek, we soon found the bottom of the Powder Ridge Track. It was 9.25 a.m. as we started uphill. About thirty minutes of stiff climbing got us up onto the ridge itself. The gradient eases off from here on.

Now seemed like a good time to stop for morning tea and a rest combined.

The track was in good order, for what it is, but that lower part is just about ready for some track clearing – quite a lot of fern fronds overhanging it.

This is a bush track which follows the top of the ridge, ascending mostly, but with the occasional level stretch, or even descending briefly. We kept going, …

… and were finally onto the tussock, and reached the top of the track at noon plus five. We were on top of hill 586 metres. (See the map on page 8.03 in Antony Hamel’s book.), and we could see in all directions: – Saddle Hill and Mosgiel, Maungatua, the Lammermoors away in the distance, Mt Allan, Mt John, Lamb Hill, Pulpit Rock (the pulpit stood out clearly). Round further, – was that Mopanui away over there? – Swampy, and Flagstaff closer by.

It was the best spot in the world to sit down in the tussock and have our lunch. The sun shone down brilliantly, and no wind to contend with.

While others rested and recuperated, …

… the leader did a short recce of the route down to the Long Ridge Track which was visible just below.

At 1.00 p.m. the return journey began, back the way we had gone up. After a while the clouds began to assemble above and later still a light wind appeared.

We kept moving, mostly going down now, but with a stop now and then …

… to rest and regroup. Care was taken going down the steep portion at the bottom, and all were safely back to the Powder Creek junction by 3.20 p.m. where we had a snack/refreshment stop.

No sunshine left now, and a distant peal of thunder had been heard, we headed for the cars. Crossing the Silverstream, wet feet were ignored. Five minutes away from the cars, there was a mighty clap of thunder very close indeed.

But we beat the rain! Very large rain drops began falling as we drove out of the car park. Two km down the road, the rain pelted down, but had stopped by the time we were back to Mosgiel.

Our day’s tramp had covered 14.45 km (thanks, Margreet); the altitude gain must have been close to 500 metres.

The leader would be the first to admit that it had been rather a tough day for him, after the recent battle with the dreaded lurge, and was very pleased to return to the cars. The rest were just as pleased too, and can be very proud of themselves in achieving the day’s objective.

The leader was very gratified to hear that the whole group had thought that it had been a very good tramp, and had been enjoyed too.

Thanks to all. – Arthur.

11. 17/6/2015. Trampers. Powder Ridge.

Having changed the days tramp from what was advertised, 6 of us set out for Powder Ridge. Only 2 of the group had done this tramp before, so were looking forward to a good day.

10. 12/11/2014. Trampers. Powder Ridge.

9. 3/1/2012. Trampers. Powder Ridge from base, return.

8. 15/10/2008 Trampers. Chalkies, Boulder Hill Track, Long Ridge, Powder Ridge triangle. Leaders: George, Ria

and then down and across to locate the Boulder Hill track to take us along to Long Ridge. The wind-blown fallen pine branches which we had to negotiate were too numerous to count.

The long trek up Long Ridge was broken by a 12.30 p.m. stop for lunch a short way past the zigzag which we had passed on our left. Then it was on and up …

… along the (heavily overgrown fortunately with broom rather than gorse) track to finally reach the connection on the right with the top of Powder Ridge. The old fence-line route is overgrown but a marked route a little further up around a bend in Long Ridge led back to make for an easy climb to the fence at the top.

From there it was down the Powder Ridge,

fortunately well cleared but still taking 2 hours before turning right at the Powder Creek Track junction, crossing Powder Creek, then the old concrete weir across the Silverstream, and so on down across the swing bridge and the ford by the Pump House to reach the cars again. – Ian

5. 23/1/2002. Leishman – Powder Hill – Long Ridge – Powder Ridge