10/07/2024. Street Art Trail and Surrounds, Grade 1.5. Hikers. Leaders: Wendy Langley, Val Cayford.
24 of us began our mural art journey walking from the Southern Cemetery, into town to view and learn about the many murals and their artists, around our city centre. Continue reading “Street Art Trail and Surrounds”
Category: Street
Predominantly walking on streets
St Clair Beach Walks
17 km from car park.
St Clair, St Kilda, Kew, Corstorphine, Ocean Grove, Tomahawk – Information and Trips Library
17. 11/10/2023. Hikers. St Clair, St Kilda, Ocean Grove. Grade 2, $5, 17km, Leaders: Bruce Spittle/Alex Griffin
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.Mosgiel-Wingatui Area
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
9. 20/07/2022. Hikers. Mosgiel Silverstream/Wingatui. Leaders: Jan & Jenny.
On a dismal Wednesday morning, 13 of us set out on our walk around Mosgiel. We walked down the Silverstream which was running higher than normal, lifting our feet over the pesky tree roots, and had morning tea down the end of the track to fortify us for the walk ahead.
We walked down Silver Springs Boulevard which brought us out to Centre Road. Crossing over to Hagart Alexander Drive we took the first left onto Ben Lomond Drive in the Highland Park subdivision and came out onto Wingatui Road. Further up the road we spoke with Ady outside her house, chastising her for not being out walking with us.
We then carried on up to Gladstone Road and at the junction with McFadden Drive we climbed the steps up onto Joe Brown Drive, taking the 2 to a 2.5, took a left and back down McFadden Drive onto Gladstone Road again. At the lights we crossed over to Gladstone Road South.
Someone was heard to say they were buying a pie for lunch, and next minute a few more were buying pies for lunch at the Z garage! Further down the road we discovered a cafe and then a few more were disappearing to buy more goodies for lunch. Doesn’t say much for our home made lunches does it!! A little further down Gladstone Road we turned into Cemetery Road and stopped at The Hub for lunch where we found shelter and a seat to rest our weary legs. The pies went down a treat along with a liquid refreshment.
We commenced the rest of our journey heading back down Gladstone Road, turning into Burns Street, right into McDonald Street then into Ayr Street & Argyle Street where we stopped to suss out the honey stall & onward up Bush Road, Forfar Street into Eden Street where we crossed the road and continued down the Silverstream, taking in the progress of the swimming pool and across Memorial Park back to our cars.
Comparing notes we agreed on 12ks for the walk and managed to keep dry for the entirety of the walk. Some wanted to get on home and put their feet up and a few of us adjourned to the Wooden Table for a hot drink and something sweet to go with it.
Jenny and Jan
8. 16/11/2016. Hikers. An East Mosgiel Trek. E. Leaders: Jay, Judy K.
Our scheduled hike for today to Hawkesbury Lagoon was put off until later in the month because of the inclement weather forecast, so an impromptu hike was the order of the day. The hikers left the carpark at 9.00 a.m. and we walked up the Silverstream from Peter Johnstone Park and stopped for morning tea …
… near the Wingatui Road end. From there we checked out the new houses in the Springfield sub-division and took a wander down Rutherford Road which many people had never been down before. We then walked down Factory Road to Haggart- Alexander Drive and through the cutting and up Wingatui Road …
… to Gladstone Road when we decided to have lunch on the bank …
… by the railway line. No trains came!!! After a leisurely lunch we took as many shortcuts as possible to get back to the carpark before the rain came. A welcome coffee break was at Wals. – Jay.
7. 10/6/2015. Hikers. Mosgiel Trek. E. Leaders: Jim and Betty.
Jim and Betty led twenty-two Hikers on a most illuminating illustrated tour of Mosgiel, with historical anecdotes echoed and amplified by several other old identities in the group. At one house, and the next,
Jim would tell us who had originally lived there and what they did. And where this street and that street had originally terminated. And where which dairy and which mill had once been located. And what rubbish dump now boasted as foundation for which set of houses.
As is evident from the route map, the walk was extensive – 14.7 km – a good stretch for the Hikers, necessitating one or two drop-out groups en route, and ending with only the famous six completing a last street-block encirclement on the day. Suspiciously this might have just been a prank, added at the last minute from a wicked sense of humour on the part of the leader, and strongly confirmed by the Back Marker rebelling and leading the remainder by a more merciful direct route back to the cars.
We morning-teaed by the Silverstream,
up near Wingatui Road, and lunched behind the Joe Browns settlement, on the back bank of Reservoir Hill…
…looking down on the small Woodlands settlement,
and speculating on what drainage problems the properties might have experienced in the recent rain storm.
Our route was obviously the result of much imaginative planning. Highlights for this reporter were the new houses alongside Wingatui Road near the Silverstream (how similar many of them were!), the walk across Brooklands Park…
…and the surprising route through from McFadden Drive to Woodland Avenue.
From the end of Woodland Drive, there was the fraught quick-or-the-dead negotiating of the lanes in the Quarry Road roundabout to land us eventually in Kinmont Crescent. Thence through the SH1 underpass (surprisingly short) into Cemetery Road and back across the railway crossing and into Gordon Road’s SW section of houses.
Here, at the lower end of King Street, Jim pointed out the distinctive turreted house there,
the original Maternity Home where he first entered the world. Further up in Argyle Street was Mossbrae, the onetime Maternity Hospital. When we reached the end of Argyle Street, instead of releasing us back up Bush Road to the cars, Jim took us away down Perth Street and across and back up Tay Street, to go (at last with only the famous six) via the Street lights intersection finally back to the car park.
Nearly 15 km, much on pavement, but a lot on grass too, was a good stretch for the legs, usefully developing fitness for next Wednesday’s climb up the forestry’s Margaret Road, linking Taieri Mouth and Big Stone Roads.
Betty and Jim capped off a wonderful day out by turning on a piping hot pottle of chips to accompany coffee chatter back at Topiary Cafe. Thank you so much, dear leaders, for a wonderful day out. – Ian.
6. 17/9/2014 Wingatui Block. Hikers. E. Leaders: Les and Margaret.
Heavy overnight rain determined cancellation of the Millennium Track. Leaders Les and Margaret instead led us on the street walk recorded on the above map, stopping for morning tea in the shelter of the Wingatui Railway Station. On/off drizzle accompanied the whole walk but we were secure in our parkas. Thirteen of us enjoyed each others’ company and the varied views the route provided. Thank you Les and Margaret for your wisdom in making the tramp change and providing us with a good morning’s ten kilometre workout. Sorry, forgot about taking pics. – Ian.
5. 7/9/2013. Both. Birchleigh Village/Haggart Alexander housing development. Leaders: Bruce and Marjorie.
Thanks to two reports received, from Elaine and Bruce, each with a distinctive style, I have inter- leafed them for a wonderful account of the day.
ELAINE: Approx ten hardy people turned up at the car park at 9.00 a.m. The planned walk to Flagstaff was flagged.
BRUCE: With snow forecast to 100 m the planned hike on Three Mile Hill was postponed and an alternative street walk undertaken from 0900 to 1100.
ELAINE: George’s birthday bash was canned also. Was really looking forward to the wine. Never mind. Next week its all on if George is well.
BRUCE: Seven of us proceeded from the car-park via the Gordon Street verandahs during a nasty shower of hail to the RSA garden and memorial to Church Street and then into Wickliffe Street. (Ed. note: Three had returned back home.)
ELAINE: Bruce and Marjorie decided since the weather said showers … sleet … hillside snow …, that we would walk around the new housing estate at the northern end of Mosgiel. We also checked out Chatsford and Birchleigh for the future!
BRUCE: We turned off Wickcliffe Street into the Brooklands Estate past the BMX track to Doon Street and then via the new subdivision at Birchleigh Village.
We took the path on the left immediately past the main office to have morning tea, in the company of Ria who joined us in Wickliffe Street, in the rotunda assembly point beside the bowling green.
After a circuitous route through Chatsford we left the village and meandered through the new Highland Park subdivision. Although the slogan “My heart’s in the highlands” was repeated, the ground seemed pretty level.
After inspecting a show home from the outside we returned via Factory Road to our cars in the car-park with some comments from a pedestrian about our mental state for hiking on a wintery day. – Bruce
ELAINE: Only seven people came on this walk. The day didn’t get any better weather-wise and I think some of drivers passing us thought we were mad. The trampers cancelled their day altogether. We did laugh a lot and talk a lot. Let’s have a great turnout next week for George’s birthday shout, weather permitting. There could be a change to next week’s programme, so watch out for details. – Elaine.
4. 22/4/2013. Both. Car park, King St, Gladstone Rd Nth, Wingatui Rd, Shortcut to Haggart Alexander Drive, Factory Rd, return.
The Trampers’ trip was cancelled due to illness. In addition, both tramps came to nothing due to recent rain muddying up tracks. So a remnant seven of us did the above (tarseal) route, remarking on various properties passed and exploring a number of new housing developments on the way. A lot of changes! Rain everywhere else came to nothing in Mosgiel. We enjoyed the views and good company, especially Judy’s new South American poncho, lasting the distance only because of some emergency repairs.
– Ian.
3. 25/4/2012. Hikers. Wingatui Block. Leaders: Arthur and Barbara.
2. 9/8/1989. Wingatui Racecourse. Over the Hill. Easy+ Leaders: Betty, Molly, Ria.
1. 14/12/2005 Wingatui Hall, Silverstream End of Year lunch. Leader: Lesley S
Glenfalloch to Edgar Centre or reverse
1. 24 May 2023. Bayfield carpark to Glenfalloch. Grade 1. Hikers. Leaders: Linda Partridge and Helen Ingram.
A convoy of cars from Mosgiel parked in the Bayfield carpark at 9.45 joining Brighton and Dunedin people. Twenty-five hikers in total readied themselves for a walk along the cycle track along Portobello Road to Glenfalloch. It was a still bright morning, the harbour sparkling in the sunlight. We walked along the side of the inlet and stopped at Vauxhall Yacht Club for morning tea.
Then on to Glenfalloch which we reached just before noon.
The gardens look beautiful every season, and that day in autumn the maples were flaming red, and a long bank of fuchsias in purple and shocking pink terraced one of the hillsides. We had a leisurely lunch and Linda had prepared a questionnaire for us to take round the gardens to help us explore the grounds.
How many spoons in the sculpture near the restaurant? Where will you find the sundial? It really brought out the competitive nature in us! But everyone’s a winner, and a bag of Cadbury Favourites was handed round.
The Portobello bus was due at 2.15pm, and most of the hikers decided to walk on to Macandrew Bay to catch the bus there.
Brandishing BeeLine Cards we filled the bus and were dropped off close to the cars.
We finished the day with a hot drink at Nicols Garden Centre. Thanks to Linda and Helen for a very enjoyable day.
Waverley, Andersons Bay, Musselburgh. Street Walks
7. 17/08/2022. Vauxhall/Musselburgh. Grade 2. Leaders: Raewyn & Jan
Thankfully the weatherman got it wrong. Mosgiel was shrouded in fog as we left PJ Park, but there was no sign of rain or wind as we arrived at Bayfield Park. 18 hikers set off over the Causeway, along Portobello Road past the large slip and on to the Vauxhall Yacht Club for morning tea. After a short history about the ‘White House’ & Arthurs Walk, we stopped to reflect ‘what might have been’ as we passed the now derelict house, and continued onwards up the steps.
An ‘up & down’ Glengyle Street provided great views across to the city, while Glendevon Street had views over the rest of Waverley. Another short history here regarding the ‘Vauxhall Gardens’ – an 1860s playground for the rich, now non-existent.
The high hedges (popular in the area) provided some interest too, particularly at the south end of the Peninsula where an octagon shaped hedge surrounds another ‘white house’.
After walking the one-way lane around said hedge, we returned to Larnach Road and walked up to Mathieson street where unfortunately a chilly wind greeted us for lunch.
It was then time to make the steady descent downhill and cross the park before venturing to Sunshine. A walk along Rawhiti Street, up Moana Crescent & through Sunshine Lane, soon brought us to ground level again and back to the cars.
A consensus of 8-9km, with coffee at the Daily Dose. Thank you to Jan for standing in for Linda, and Margreet for taking the photos. Raewyn.
6. 25/1/2017. Musselburgh, Andersons Bay, Cemetery. E. Leaders for Musselburgh: Les and Margaret; for Andersons Bay: Peter and Wendy.
5. 10/2/2016. Musselburgh, Andersons Bay, Cemetery. E. Leaders for Musselburgh: Les and Margaret; for Andersons Bay: Peter and Wendy.
Shore St; Musselburgh Rise; Rochester Crescent; Belmont Lane;
Musselburgh, Moana Crescent; Rewa Street, Sunshine Lane; Portobello Road. Portobello Road; Marne Street; Somerville Street; Silverton Street; Tomahawk Road; Crematorium; Cemetery; Tahuna Road; Cress Street; Tainui Road; Musselburgh Rise; Shore Street.
4. 23/2/2011. Hikers. Street Walk: Arthurs Walk. Waverley Book 1. Leaders: Bev, Joyce.
3. 30/1/2008 Andersons Bay Street Walk. Leaders: Bev H, Bev M
A bit overcast but quite pleasant as 18 hikers parked their cars in Spottiswood St ready to set out on a Street Walk round the Andersons Bay area. First stop was at the Andersons Bay Cemetery for morning tea and a browse around the graves. Very interesting, especially round the oldest areas. We ended up being there about an hour as 2 of the group had not heard the meeting up again time of 11am!! However, as it wasn’t an overly long walk it didn’t really matter. We walked along several streets, admiring houses and gardens, till we finally got to the Andersons Bay school where we made the most of some very pleasant areas to sit and have our lunch. From there it was around some more streets till we arrived back at our cars. All agreed they had had an interesting and enjoyable day. – Bev.
2. 3/10/2001. Combined. Street Walk Arthurs Walk Waverley Book 1 Leaders: Bev H, Bev McI, Pat
1. 20/9/2000 Vauxhall, Waverley, Andersons Bay, Musselburgh. Leaders: Margaret D, Daphne, Betty B
Street Walk – Willowbank-Opoho area.
Big Easy, Signal Hill, Ravensbourne, Opoho, Northern Cemetery – Information and Trips Library
Report: Combined Trampers and Hikers
Opoho Odyssey 1 June 2022
In pleasant temperatures 35 Trampers set out from the Botanical Gardens carpark to enjoy our Opoho odyssey. Our first stop was for morning tea at Tannock Glen which is an established rhododendron dell off Warden St.
Then we meandered through various streets and Ross’s well researched commentary about various points of interest was much appreciated. (This history will be available for anyone to review on a separate link). Neil added a few memories of his misspent youth in this suburb and talked about his family links to the area.
Then it was off down the zigzag to Knox College which while not strictly in Opoho has strong links to the suburb because countless staff and students lived in Opoho and worshipped and preached at the local Church in Farquharson St. Knox College actually opened in 1876 to train and house students wanting to become Presbyterian Ministers. It is now a hall of residence open to all Otago University students.
It remains a very well maintained beautiful historic building. Our guide Alec gave us an extensive tour through the various wings and a detailed commentary about the history. In the exquisite dining room which looks straight out of Harry Potter, Phil gave us a tune on the magnificent concert grand piano.
Beautiful Knox College Chapel (photo and caption John)
We all really enjoyed this tour as many had never been in this building.
It was also great to climb via steep steps onto the ramparts where we got extensive views over Dunedin.
We were invited to have our lunch in the quadrangle outside the building and could wander through the well-maintained gardens which was a pleasant interlude.
After lunch we divided into two groups and the 13 hikers set off for the top gardens and visited the aviaries. Then it was an interesting walk through the Northern Cemetery. This is a major historic landmark in Dunedin and we saw notable graves and tombs. Neil was also able to point out graves belonging to his (and Graeme Souters) great grandparents.
Most prominent in the cemetery is William Larnach’s tomb which was designed by R.A.Lawson and is a miniature replica of First Church.
The Sexton’s cottage which is maintained by the Southern Heritage Trust is also very historic.
Of interest as well are the more than 1000 heritage roses; about 500 of which were poisoned with herbicide in 2016. Heritage Roses Otago have worked tirelessly to replace the damaged plants with cuttings and many of the graves now sport new plantings. We also stopped for a few minutes to visit the memorial to Thomas Bracken who wrote the National Anthem of New Zealand.
To finish it was a walk through more tracks in the top gardens and back to the cars.
We enjoyed coffee in the café in the lower gardens.
Distance covered was about 8km. We will now hand over to Ross and Wyn to give a short account of their afternoon hike which was no doubt more strenuous!!
Neil and Margreet Simpson
We were the other group, 22 in total, that set off on the more strenuous hike. The 58 steps to the higher part of Arden Street immediately after lunch was a cruel start. We contoured around to Chambers Street which we descended a short way to find the 41 steps up to Taine Street. And then it wasn’t far to the 52 steps to Montrose Street which turned the corner into Maybank Street. Once we reached Blacks Road, it was down a short way to Grey Street and then down, down James Street to North Road.
We enjoyed the flat walking up North Road but all too soon came to Baldwin Street and another 273 steps.
Who doesn’t love Baldwin Street? (photo & caption John)
Photos at the top gave plenty of time for getting our breath back before we followed the footpath to the 85 steps down Calder Street to Primrose Bank which led us to the North-East Valley Community Garden. It was a lovely place to chat with the locals and enjoy the afternoon.
From here, it was all up; first up Dalmeny Street, where some tried to figure out if it was better to zig and zag, or to just take it straight. Eventually another 58 steps brought us to Evans Street, and a little further up Evans Street 137 steps took us to Signal Hill Road, just above the bus terminus. By this stage we were starting to feel the effects of altitude; breathing was becoming harder.
We turned into Northfield Avenue to admire the house that Neil grew up in, before descending another lane to Signal Hill Road. Not far down the road we came to the house that Margreet lived in briefly in her younger days, next door to the house that we now live in. It’s a small world.
We detoured from there around Grandview Crescent which does have a very grand view, down one last lane to Warden Street (10 more steps), identified where the track down the hill to the Big Easy goes off the top end of Blacks Road, and zoomed on back to the cars and then the café at the lower Gardens. Some of the other group were still lingering and luckily they hadn’t eaten all the cakes.
It was a pleasure planning and leading the trip with Neil and Margreet and a constant surprise learning about the parts Neil’s family have played in the history of the suburb we call home.
We learned a lot about the Opoho history preparing for the trip, and shared bits of it as we went along. Some have asked for a copy of our notes, and these are available via this link here Opoho Historical Background Notes
Not all these places were pointed out as we went around, but I’ve left them all in for anyone interested.
On the more strenuous hike, we covered about 10 kms including the morning, with about 345 metres of climbing, and a moving time of 2 ½ hours. And did we mention the steps? 628 steps up (not including climbing the Knox tower).
Ross and Wyn
Midwinter Street Walk – Street Art
Street Art Walks Dunedin – Information and Walks Library
4. 7/7/2021. All. Street Art followed by Mid Winter lunch at the Wharf Hotel. Leaders Chris, Gwenda, Clive and Faye
12 Hikers and 24 Trampers met at the Wharf Hotel for Street Art walks around Dunedin.
The trampers headed off to the Vogel Street area and take away drinks from Heritage Coffee in Jetty Street.
They then made their wandering way, via Moray Place and Bath Street, to the University area.
There was time to view the University Library’s Colin McCahon painting “Waterfall Theme and Variations”,
the Castle Street Lecture Theatre’s wonderful mural and
some of the campus sculptures before returning via the rail bridge.
The hikers headed to the downtown area over the rail bridge before making their way back to the Wharf Hotel via the Vogel Street area. Morning tea was enjoyed midway at the Vanguard Café on Princes Street.
Jill Dodd and Jay organised a lovely mid-winter lunch to follow which was enjoyed by 50 members of the club at the Wharf Hotel. There we also enjoyed a great slideshow of photos from trips over the last 6 months, put together by Clive and John.
Chris
3. 3/7/2019. All. Midwinter Street Art walk and lunch. Leaders: Clive and Heather.
2. 6/7/2016. All. Street Art Walk. Midwinter Lunch. E. Leaders: Bev, Judy and Alex.
31 members gathered at the Wharf Hotel car park and set out for a fascinating walk around Dunedin streets, viewing some of the amazing street art adorning our buildings’ walls.
First stop was just along the foreshore where mulled wine was served, (courtesy of Elaine and Judy), really hitting the spot on a coldish morning. Then it was up and across the over-bridge to Jetty Street, to Princes St and Manse St. The back entrance to the Scenic Hotel provided a look at the spectacular Cloud Catcher mural.
We did wonder just how the artist managed to hang up there to do this amazing work.
A short puff up Rattray St, to Dowling St and then up to Tennyson St,
down View St (glad it wasn’t up), across Moray Place, through the car park and along the alleyway to the Octagon. This alleyway is full of excellent art work, well worth browsing through. From here it was around the Octagon, down Stuart St, and along to Queens Gardens, before crossing to Vogel St again, and over the bridge back to the Wharf just after midday. Thank you Bev for organising this and turning out in spite of a miserable head cold.
Here we found the rest of the crew gathered, raising the number to 62, a great turn out. It was pleasing to see so many ‘senior’ members in attendance.
After birthday greetings to Margaret and Adrienne, Judy ran a short quiz, testing observational skills from the walk. Thanks to Eric for his help, and for the chocolates donated. Judy then read her ‘Ode to the Club’. (Attached [at the bottom of the Club’s History page] if you want to read it for yourselves!).
Congratulations and thanks to the hotel staff, who took orders and prepared and delivered meals so efficiently and promptly. This was much appreciated – the blue cod was great! While some indulged in dessert, the ‘Four Jolly Tramping Mates’ presented two songs, ably led by Bruce.
Thanks boys, you did well!
All in all this was a really successful day, with everyone relaxed and happy, enjoying the food, the company and the entertainment. – Judy and Bev.
1. 15/7/2015. Hikers. Street Art Street Walk. E. Leaders: Lance and Lois.
It was another of the Lance and Lois’ well-planned, well-commentated walks. We surprised them with our large group, numbering 31, crowding up at street corners and filling pedestrian crossings, but they coped. Beginning at Unity Park lookout, we first walked down Eglington Road to the former Montecillo property being developed for new housing. Lance told us the driveway in was a solid 8 inches thick concrete slab!) We then returned out to walk down through the Town Belt by way of of the ‘Steep Street’ track, stopping on a grassy slope…
…for morning tea just above the zig-zag steps.
The steps are of those awkward sloping kind, enforcing either a stretched stride or two tiny ones per step. Anyway we arrived a bit up Maitland Street above Carroll St, to enter an unobtrusive lane that led into a large centre-of-the-block grassy area that led us diagonally through to Stafford St. Having enjoyed this delightful mid-block section, we turned down Melville St to Carroll St to view the former St Andrews Church. Lance had already prepared us at our morning tea for this visit. He had told us of Rutherford Waddell’s greatest sermon of all time at this church on the ‘sin of cheapness’, where the Minister had declaimed against the sweated labour of the Dunedin seamstresses of the time, a clarion call that was to bring about far-reaching legislation reform of working conditions. So we viewed the historic church which has in more recent times been used by the Word of Life Pentecostals, and since 2001 by the Coptic Orthodox Church. We rounded the large old Bell Tea Co building corner into Hope St and up again to Stafford St to walk down it to our first street art, the Haast Eagle.
We continued down and across to the corner of Princes and Jetty streets to view the “Riding Dreams” mural.
Around the corner, “Love is in the air” on Bond St was delightful.
I could go on. We went hither and thither, as you can perceive from he route map, far too much to list here. This reporter can recommend such a stop-go walk, studying buildings, renovated and old, treading pavements some, no doubt we had never planted foot on before.
Just two more ‘works of art’ now, and lunch at First Church before heading back up the hill.
First the waka and steam-punk submarines exiting a fish’s mouth. (Quietly: But aren’t the sails billowing backwards?)
Our lunch at First Church.
And finally, an art work in Rattray St.
Then up Maclaggan St and High Street and back to the cars.
Thanks to Lance and Lois for a carefully thought out day.- Ian
(Grateful acknowledgement to Dunedin Street Art Trail information.)
Edgar Centre to Rotary Park, return.
2. 17/4/2019. Hikers. Edgar Centre to Rotary Park, return. E. Shona and Jill D.
28 hikers assembled at the Edgar Centre, before walking along Portsmouth Drive to Bayfield Park stopping en route to admire the memorial stone “RONGO”.
We enjoyed an early morning tea on the seats at the park, then continued to the bus
stops (some keen souls had continued to the stop further up the street) and
caught the bus to Shiel Hill terminus.
We continued walking up to Rotary Park, through the pine trees there and down the reserve track to Harbour Heights, missing our planned stop as it was too early for lunch, which we took further down Larnach Rd in the sun at the local school playground.
After lunch, we continued down to Shandon St, before turning and walking down
the Arthur’s Walk steps to reach Portobello Rd to follow the harbourside walkway back to the cars and continuing the early theme of the day, having an early coffee at Nichols. Distance 6.7kms. – Shona Jill
1. 16/8/2017. Hikers. Edgar Centre to Rotary Park, return. E. Leaders: Judy and Adrienne.
26 hikers met at the Edgar Centre carpark in clear sunshine after a frosty start to the morning. We walked along Portsmouth Drive a short way to the Bayfield sports fields for a leisurely morning tea on the comfortable seats in front of the pavilion.
From there it was another short leg to the bus stop at the bottom of Silverton Street, where we boarded the bus for the ride up to the Shiel Hill terminal. Another short walk took us further up the hill and across the road into Rotary Park for an early lunch. A lazy breeze found us well spread out, seeking sunshine and shelter – hard to find both. The views of the city and harbour are magnificent from this park.
Soon we were joined by Les and Margaret, with welcome birthday chocolates – thankyou! It was good to see Les up and about again after a bout of pneumonia.
Unfortunately it was a bit too cool for the proposed lengthy lunch and sunbathe, so by midday we were off again for the walk down the hill, via McKerrow St, Larnach Rd and Shandon Rd to the top of Arthurs Walk. With knees creaking a bit we descended the many steps down to Portobello Rd, and so back to the cars, and coffee at Nichols. – Judy and Adrienne.
Portsmouth Drive to Marina
17 km from car park.
City to Surf – Information and Trips Library
3. 20/9/2017. Hikers. Portsmouth Drive to Marina. E. Leaders: Judy and Dorothy.
Twelve harbour strollers, went to Andy Bay.
We parked beside the inlet – it was a windy day.
Along the Portsmouth Drive we went, trudging in a row.
We passed the harbour molars, and onward we did go.
A sunny sheltered spot was found, and morning tea was had,
Relaxing in the sunshine, it wasn’t half too bad.
Then on we went, around the wharves, and round the harbour basin –
We found that walking in the wind, was really somewhat bracin’.
We viewed the plaque in memory of “Neptune”, sunk in war.
She hit a minefield in the Med, and then she was no more.
On we went and onwards, across the Leith we strode,
Then Clive led us along the groyne, to where the water flowed.
Back around the boat harbour, some picnic tables found,
For lunch and chatter in the sun, then homeward we were bound.
A cracking pace was soon set up, the wind was at our backs.
Perhaps the increase in our pace, was due to lighter packs?
We viewed a lot of logging trucks, a queue a mile long –
Sending all those logs away, we feel it is quite wrong.
A photo stop was taken, beside the harbour molars –
And so we coined the title, “The Mosgiel Harbour Strollers.”
The cars in view, we stepped it out and headed fast for home.
A coffee stop at Blackstone – and then I wrote this “pome”….
(Well, try to find a better rhyme!) – Judy.
Stats for the day: 11.7 kms; 3 hours and 4 minutes walking time; 480 calories. – Clive.
2. 14/1/2015. Hikers. Portsmouth Drive to Marina. E. Leaders: Peter and Wendy.
We parked in the carpark by the Bayfield High School. And 21 of us set out.
We walked along Portsmouth Drive past the molars, turned down Kitchener St, huggiing the harbour edge and stopped off for morning tea.
Carrying on, we turned round into Birch St, across the top of the harbour basin then down along Fryatt St almost to its end. Then it was up Wickliffe St, across the railway overbridge, briefly on Anzac Avenue, down Parry …
…and Minerva Streets to cross the Leith on SH88 bridge, and on the north side to turn under the bridge and out along Magnet St to get to our lunch stop at the Marina.
On our return, we walked the length of Anzac avenue. Then onto the railway station platform, where Dorothy performed a most believable but all too brief strut down the catwalk. Out at the other side, on past Toitu Settlers Museum and along the grassy verge ahead where we stopped, briefly thwarted by the railway bridge overpass pathless on-ramp ahead. So it was across all four laned SH1 Cumberland St, with the assistance of the lights further back. This safely accomplished, it was Les and Peter led us up Water St, along Vogel St, back down Jetty St and onto the pedestrial spiral ramp to get us onto the bridge. Then via Birch St, Buller St and French St we rejoined Kitchener St which took us back out onto Portsmouth Dr and back to the cars. From talking to one or two others, I must say coming to the end of eleven kilometres on hard pavement had taken its toll of leg muscles, on this the first tramp after the holidays. A good walk, not too hot or windy. Thanks to Peter and Wendy for a good start to the year. – Ian.
1. 20/11/2013. Hikers. Midland St, Portsmouth Drive to Marina. Leaders: Bev and Chris.
The walk was most inventive and interesting, leading us along back streets few of us had ventured on before. We parked at the bottom of Midland Street where we could cross onto Portsmouth Drive with the safety assistance of traffic lights. The laying of cable along the walkway forced us onto a less inviting traffic-coned path along the road till we returned to the walkway at the molars.
A little further on we turned down to the length of Kitchener St turning left up at its end into Birch St to join Wharf St esplanade and have morning tea on the seats, to admire the inner harbour view as well as a gentleman, lent back on a camp seat, fishing, hat over face, asleep.
A happy surprise was Lex sharing round chocolate marshmellows in anticipation of his 85th birthday the following day.
Then it was up and on again, down virtually the entire length of Fryatt St to turn left up Wickliffe Street and over the elderly railway overhead bridge, down the other side to the right, and to stop and admire (?) the special road-coned entrance/egress of Hall’s work-yard and the still-hooded traffic lights. We gingerly made it across Anzac Ave, across Frederick St, back again across Anzac Ave to join Parry St, make way across the SH88 Leith Bridge very wide pedestrian walkway, down, back, under the bridge and along Magnet St. (4 km)
and the Harbour Walkway (5 and 6 kms) to lunch at the northern end of the map in what shelter we could find from the nor-easterly wind.
We retraced our steps to the SH88 Bridge underpass, this time following the Leith bank up to Anzac Ave (7 and 8 kms)
which we followed right to the St Andrew St lights where we turned down along it to the roundabout, followed Mason St, then into Tewsley St and into Fryatt St to retrace our route alongside Wharf St (9 km), Birch St, Kitchener St and Portsmouth Drive back to the cars. 11 km in all. The harbour wind-blast along Portsmouth Drive almost blew us off our feet. Many thanks to Bev and Chris for a varied and interesting streets exploration around a corner of the harbour. – Ian.
Gardens to Surf
City to Surf – Information and Trips Library
2. 23/8/2017. Hikers. Gardens to Surf. E. Leaders: Pam and Dawn.
We Parked our cars in Duke Street, near the Woodhaugh gardens. 22 members started off. We walked through the Varsity and had morning tea at the Polytech outdoor area. Walked along Portsmouth Drive to Queens Drive down to St Kilda beach. Walked along playing fields and some track to picnic area above beach, where we had our lunch. We then continued on to St Clair, via street and caught the bus back to the Botanical gardens where we enjoyed a hot drink. Back to our cars and home to Mosgiel by 3.45pm. A very enjoyable day was had by all. – Dawn.
1. 19/8/2015. Hikers. Gardens to Surf.
We had a good day walking from the Botanic Gardens…
…to St Kilda beach…
…and along the beach to St Clair. I had not been on the beach since the June storms and was blown away by the damage to the beach.
The piles…
…are nearly all bent over by St Clair. Thank goodness I have done 3 paintings of the piles. Judy Knox was on TV Wed. night and did a very good interview on the local TV channel.
We all went back on the bus to the Gardens and all (I think) 27 of us didn’t pay. I think the bus driver got a bit of a surprise. – Elaine. [An unintended report, purloined from an email. – Ed]
Street Walk: Belleknowes
7/12/2016. Belleknowes. E. Leaders: Lester and Peter B.
The walk was short but far from lacking in interest. First surprise was at the bend at the extreme top corner of York Place where it turns sharply down into Russell Street. Behold, a path through the Town Belt, leading across Queens Drive into Alison Crescent. Here on our right was a gully of seriously shaded houses each reachable only by a wooden bridge across the ditch.
Further on. Houses in the Greek-letter-named streets of Delta, Beta, Epsilon and Gamma (where was Alpha?) were notable for well-maintained three and four groupings of identical designs, (one group even with finials), and strikingly, as the street curved around, so did the house alignments, parlours strictly front-facing, regardless of where the sun struck them. Of course nothing new, but made obvious by the similar wooden buildings.
An interesting Accessway between Delta Street and Belleview Crescent was new to us. Knowledgeable ones among us said this was part of an old cable car route.
We lunched early (11.20 a.m!) in a light drizzle in a hidden playground reserve off Falcon Street. It had the longest stainless steel slide down a steep slope the writer has seen. How on earth was present day Health and Safety permission for it obtained, one wonders. Sadly it was far too wet on this occasion for any of us to give it a go.
We were struck by some grand house and gardens along Highgate. Lester pointed out where the original owners had built houses for their servants down a side street. In one case, (Kilgour St?), built as they were on a steep falling away slope, they required small bridges from street path to front door. Goodness only knows what Health and Safety requirements (as too in the Alison Street bridges) they would be obliged to meet today. One couldn’t help reflecting today on the contrast between our own land-owning gentry class, of which we are part, and that of the thousands of New Zealanders unable to access even basic decent accommodation, with winter on the horizon.
Anyway, enough of that. An interesting return trip down Braid Street through an extensive bit of the Town Belt soon got us back to the cars.
As noted at the beginning of the report, the ‘tramp’ was short but full of previously unexplored interesting gems. Our thanks to Lester and Peter for searching it out. – Ian.
Street Walk – between Arthur & Dowling Streets
27/7/2016. Street Walk. area roughly between Arthur St. and Dowling St. E. Leaders: Lester, Peter.
28 left the car park on time at 9.30 after Judy wished two members a very happy birthday. Unfortunately things turned sour in the Moana Pool car park.
Lester had been give permission to us the parks, but it was noticed these are only 2-hour parks.
No option but to find other parks. Passengers out and drivers away to find parks, then all meet again in from of the O.B.H.S. memorial gate.
Walk finally started about 10.30. Lucky the morning tea spot was close and our host, Mrs Scorgie, and her lovely dog were out front waiting to greet us.
We divided into small groups and all had a good look round the three floors of “Stranraer”,
complete with it nursery area. Mrs Scorgie kindly gave us a detailed history of this grand old 1910 stately home. (No, it was not a 15 minute stop – more like a 1 hr – 15 min. stop.)
The remaining walk went well. Lunch a bit late at Canongate. Walk finished in York Place where Bruce was able to tell us is was Olveston that had influence the architect when he designed “Haeta”. Many visited Rockbourn Gallery at 298 York Place.
Then on to Roslyn for coffee in the old Fire Station.
Quite a short walk – about 4 kms – but with a lot of stops for history. – Lester.
Kaikorai Stream
29/6/2016. Kaikorai Stream Walk. E. Leaders: Jan and Lesley.
Street Walk: Maori Hill
21/5/2014. Street Walk: Maori Hill. E. Leaders: Lance and Lois.
(An inadequate report. Only a summary. Anyone care to improve on/add to/alter it? Please notify.) Cars parked on Queens Drive encircling Prospect Park. Across Lachlan Avenue to Stonelaw Terrace, down a steep track at its end, first seal, then small crushed metal, to emerge on Queens Drive, then up Chamberlain Street for a short distance, along Como Street and up View Park Lane. This was a revelation to the reporter, who had known nothing about this (unique to Dunedin?) lane of letter boxes sited at the end of back sections to properties fronting otherwise onto Como (our left) and Chamberlain (our right) Streets. A gift for posties! Then along Falkland Street, down Drivers Road, to climb Tolcarne Avenue and stop just below Tolcarne Collegiate School Hostel to enjoy morning tea at a view point.
Then up Grendon Street, finding a lane taking in the back properties of houses on left and right with their frontages out on adjacent roads. (Unsure though where this was.) Out onto Highgate, through the village onto Balmacewan Road and up Prestwick Street to its terminus and return. Along Pilkington Road, to take Cannington Road to spot where it ends at the bush, return and follow Cairnhill Street into Braeview Crescent to explore it to each of its terminuses (or termini if you must be linguistically correct) to their ends. Back along Cannington Road to find our way into Brownville Crescent, another new find for the reporter. Here was a road necessarily one-way due to its narrowness. Lance thought it likely than a developer had enforced his wishes on some early Maori Hill Borough Council, narrowing its width to increase adjacent property areas as much as possible. It exited onto Highgate. Then it was back down to the cars at Prospect Park. Early lunch, scheduled to be finished before a forecast storm. However this came only later when driving back home, so lunch was enjoyed in the sun on a bank sheltering us from the wind. Thanks to Lance and Lois for a well reconnoitred, imaginative and most enlightening route. – Ian.
