Archive for the 'Year round' Category

Feb 03 2024

Mihiwaka, Mount Kettle, and Cedar Farm

Published by under Trampers,Year round

30 km from car-park.
No permission needed to reservoir.
Cedar Farm: Seek Permission DCC Forestry.
29. 31/01/2024 Mihiwaka/ Mount Kettle. Trampers Grade 4 Leaders: Pam and Diane

Square Res11 trampers left PJ Park at 8.45 and meet up with 5 Dunedin trampers on Borlases’s Road, Port Chalmers. We continued onto Blueskin road in misty weather which got thicker as we drove up to park 1km north from Cedar Farm Forest carpark (CFF) A car was left at CFF carpark to ferry drivers back to their cars at the end of tramp.

 

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Jan 27 2024

Ship at Anchor, Lammermoors, Deep Stream, Gold tailings, Mahinerangi

Lake Mahinerangi. From Eldorado Track, Cox’s Reef, Cosmopolitan battery, Timber Gully Waterfalls, old gold workings. (data lacking)
No. 8 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Ship & Anchor. Lake Mahinerangi. George. Year round.”
No. 3 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Eldorado Track. (Waipori.) Year Round.”
50 km from car-park. ( 54 km with Eldorado Track. Locked gates. Key from DCC Water Dept.)
Long tramp. Tussock now heavy. Summer too hot? Autumn may be preferable.
5) Appropriately Named “ Ship At Anchor “ Pam (square)14. 24/01/2024. Trampers. Ship at Anchor. Grade 4.5. $14.  Leaders: Phil Keene/Gary Mort Lyn Keene.
18 keen trampers turned up and left right on time at 8.30am in 4 vehicles, stopping briefly in Outram for tramper No 19, then travelled through the rolling uplands to above Lake Mahinerangi, before turning right up the El Dorado track, right to the end, through mobs of daggy sheep, the windfarm, the Blackrock Scientific Reserve and finally through the locked gates of DCC 3 Waters with the cameras keeping an eye. Ross was in charge of the key and maybe had a pinch of hypothermia by the time he was back in the car. Brrr would we find our riches at El Dorado?
Some Words From The Wise, Before We Set Off Ross

Some Words From The Wise, Before We Set Off (Photo & Caption Ross)

It was 10am before we set off walking, the group happily forgoing morning tea until we arrived 45 minutes later at the Chinese Diggings situated on the east bank of Deep Stream which was up a little following rain the prior day.

1) Fuelling Up At Deep Stream Before Ascending The Hill Behind Pam

Fuelling Up At Deep Stream Before Ascending The Hill Behind (Photo & Caption Pam)

Mmm NZ Topo 50 is telling us we have to go west and will have to cross. The thought of this seemed to necessitate a continuous stream of walkers, single file, into the bushes. Thankfully they all came back and with a little help from our friends we all crossed, with wet feet and knees to the other side.

2) “ Follow The Leader” Across Deep Stream Pam

“ Follow The Leader” Across Deep Stream (Photo & Caption Pam)

Thus began a steep ascent with a new pathway selected every few steps, not to mention the need for a breather at fairly short intervals!

3) Scrambling Up The Lammermoore’s To Admire The Expansive Landscape Pam

Scrambling Up The Lammermoore’s To Admire The Expansive Landscape (Photo & Caption Pam)

Big Sky Shadows On The Land Marijke

A Big Sky With Cloud Shadows On The Land (Photo & Caption Marijke)

2 Climbing Every Mountain Phil

Climbing Every Mountain (Photo & Caption Phil)

The ascent was followed by steady to steep ridge-line walk keeping to the true left of a stream, before crossing over nearly at the head, and finally over the last brow of a hill to arrive after 2 hours from morning tea, of fairly serious tramping, at the Ship at Anchor;

4 At Last The Ship At Anchor Phil

At Last The Ship At Anchor (Photo & Caption Phil)

5. Lunch In The Lee, Sheltered By Tussock Phil

Lunch In The Lee, Sheltered By Tussock (Photo & Caption Phil)

thankfully we had not missed the boat and it provided good shelter along with the snow tussock from the fresh westerly that had been present all morning.

5) Appropriately Named “ Ship At Anchor “ Pam

Appropriately Named “ Ship At Anchor “ (Photo & Caption Pam)

Our departure was not too long with those who had not previously been here circumnavigating the Ship and we all followed a course on the true right of the stream down another ridge-line, initially made ‘easy’ by a water course shaped I think by ancient shovels?

Heading Down The Highway Ross

Heading Down The Highway (Photo & Caption Ross)

With the possibility of a precipice emerging in front our leader tacked left just in time onto another ridge that steeply descended towards a man made watercourse, scout Graham finding the appropriate gang plank onto the other side. It would be fair to say knees were now creaking as we traversed parallel with the contours dropping every now and then towards the crossing of Deep Stream. According to the leaders timepiece we took longer down than up, just like the Grand Olde Duke of York……oh dear!

6. Mmm Did It Take Longer To Go Down Than Up Phil

Mmm Did It Take Longer To Go Down Than Up (Phot & Caption Phil)

If feet and knees were by now warm and dry they were wetted again and with all crossing safely we re-grouped and took off up the prairie back to the cars, this being quite a steady upland walk!

7 If You Start With Wet Feet You Might As Well Clean The Boots Again When You Finish, Gentlemen Abound Phil

If You Start With Wet Feet You Might As Well Clean The Boots Again When You Finish, Gentlemen Abound (Photo & Caption Phil)

We departed paradise at 4.30pm arriving back in Mosgiel at 5.30pm. Rumour has it that the hydrotherapy pool has been busy since the trip, no wonder. The expansive and varied landscapes are so much more rewarding when set in such a remote and wild environment. Because of the access restrictions at the Weir this was the first time travel to the Ship at Anchor had been done this way. Distance 10.47km, elevation gain 661m, moving time 3:25;59, calories 1,016. And I’m sticking with grade 4.5.

Thanks to everyone for supporting each other so well.

Phil K

Screenshot Phil

Ship at Anchor route (Screenshot Ross)

Screenshot 2024 01 25 142142 Ship At Anchor Profile

Ship At Anchor Profile (Screenshot Ross)

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Dec 02 2023

Taioma, Parera, Viaduct

No. 96 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Parera Taioma Transrail & Wenita Year Round”. 10km from PJP. Wenita permit. Require 6 weeks notice, but less from us. Taieri Gorge Railway. Phone 477 4449 for details.


Trampers Thumb Res

18. 29 November 2023. Trampers. Mullocky Stream, Mt Allan   Grade 3.5 Leaders: Sylvie/ Lyn/ Lynley

25 lovely persons followed Sylvie up the Mt Allan Road parking near Mullocky stream. Continue Reading »

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Nov 22 2023

Taieri Ferry and Finlayson Roads, Bells farm, Kennedys, Millennium.

Published by under Trampers,Year round

Read “Taieri River Geology” for some background information.

“Legends of the Lower Taieri” includes a section about John Bull if you persist in reading down far enough.


Img 8059 Res 10018. 22/11/2023.Hikers. Millennium Track from Henley Ferry Bridge. Grade 3. 27km. Leaders: Ady Whitson/Bruce Wright.

We had a great day on the track. Weather was great with 20 Hikers enjoying the day. We parked about 2/3 the way down the road from the stile. Continue Reading »

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Nov 17 2023

Signal Hill tramps

Published by under Trampers,Year round

Distance Chingford from carpark: 20 km.
Follow Old Main North Road to Cleghorn Street which has the best view of the harbour. Walkway sign.
Walk starts starts at the gate on right, up McGregors Hill. Beyond stile Pine plantation on 3rd stile at summit.
Gravel road 10 minutes to end. Locked gate. Last stile. Signal Hill road.

15 Nov Signal Hill Harbour View With Hikers. Square Small Janette19. 15/11/2023. Hikers. Cleghorn Street to Signal Hill. Leaders Pam Clough and Jay Devlin

23 keen hikers gathered on a beautiful day at the Bottom of Cleghorn St where we made our way up the gravel road to the beginning of our walk which was firstly over farmland. Continue Reading »

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Nov 08 2023

Mount Hyde Station

Published by under Lambing Sep-Nov,Trampers,Year round

No. 5 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Mt Hyde to Taieri River. Aqueduct. D Moir. Farm. Lambing.”
Location: 23.5 km. Lambing September-November.

Dsc07061 Square 100x10016. 8/11/2023. Trampers. Mt Hyde. Grade 3.5. $7. 24km. Leaders: Anne Ward, Di Bezett, Lyn Keene
We started our tramp with an enthusiatic group of 23.

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Oct 17 2023

St Clair Beach Walks

Published by under Beach,Hikers,Year round

17 km from car park.


17. 11/10/2023. Hikers. St Clair, St Kilda, Ocean Grove. Grade 2, $5, 17km, Leaders: Bruce Spittle/Alex Griffin
IMG20231011111808 RES100x100Nineteen 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.

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Oct 15 2023

Chrystalls Beach, Toko Mouth

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.


22. 11/10/2023. Trampers. Crystalls Beach. Grade 2.5, $15, 59km, Leaders: Dave Roberts, Jill Reid
IMG_7384 100x100A fine overcast morning greeted us at Peter Johnstone Park with 19 trampers in 5 cars beginning our tramp at 10am. Continue Reading »

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Sep 30 2023

Deep Creek Weir from Old Dunstan Road past Rocklands

No. 2 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Deep Stream [Stream crossed out and replaced by Creek] (Rocklands). R Lippers. Cattle.”
No. 56 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Deep Creek from Old Dunstan Road. (Rocklands. Year Round”
Est, 50 km from car park.
See Deep Creek Water Scheme Pipeline history.
See further background information behind Deep Stream project

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.

Up and up over farmland. Caption and photo Pam

Up and up over farmland. Caption and photo Pam

The countryside is getting more rugged Caption and photo Marjke

The countryside is getting more rugged Caption and photo Marijke

Tramping nirvana, easy level dry track, marvelous views Caption and photo John

Tramping nirvana, easy level dry track, marvellous views Caption and photo John

It was stunning scenery walking to the Weir and back.

Happy Trampers. Caption and photo John

Happy Trampers. Caption and photo John

Pump house and Weir. Caption and photo Pam

Pump house and Weir. Caption and photo Pam

Exploring the engineering feat, the Deep Stream Weir. Caption and photo John

Exploring the engineering feat, the Deep Stream Weir. Caption and photo John

Can you spot the hut Caption and photo Marijke

Can you spot the hut? Caption and photo Marijke

We had lunch in the sun out of the gorge with more room to spread out.

Refuelling. (Pipeline track to the weir in the background). Caption and photo Pam

Refuelling. (Pipeline track to the weir in the background). Caption and photo Pam

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.


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Sep 30 2023

Caversham – Street Walk.

Published by under Hikers,Year round

14 kms PJP to cnr South Rd and Eastbourne St.


5. 27/09/2023 Hikers. Grade 2 Leaders: Jan and Jan

20 hikers set off from the old Carisbrook Hotel through the very run-down Caversham shopping area.  We had a couple of stops to look at a bit of the history of the area.  There were other points of interest, but with so much chatter going on, decided to give it a miss! We headed up South Road for a morning tea stop at a house belonging to Jan Y’s brother.  It is a large property extending right down to just above the main trunk railway line.  He has a stall at the Farmers Market every Saturday and has grown and propagated an extensive number of plants.  Also has numerous tunnel houses, a couple of fruiting tamarillo trees and an avocado tree.  He is a rockhound and there was a very large collection of rocks, crystals etc. on display.

Rocks and propagating Caption and photo Helen

Rocks and propagating Caption and photo Helen

Photo Helen

Photo Helen

Photo Helen 1

Photo Helen

Because there was so much to look at, the morning tea break was a bit longer than normal.  We carried on up South Road to the Carlton Hill area, then cut across a couple of streets and back down to Sidey Street where you got a good view of Corstorphine House.  From there we headed up a track which took us into the Kew area, with great views of Dunedin.

Top of steps gathering up Caption and photo Helen

Top of steps gathering up Caption and photo Helen

Down through a steep set of steps (Killikrankie Pass – a cool name) and we ended up in a park at Forbury Corner for lunch.

Lunch. We were all scattered. Caption and photo Helen

Lunch. We were all scattered. Caption and photo Helen

Returned to the cars by crossing over the motorway on an overhead bridge, then walked down a path on the north side back to the cars.

On the overbridge Caption and photo Helen

On the overbridge Caption and photo Helen

It was a pleasant day with no wind, and we covered approx 8 kms, at quite a leisurely pace.  Several members of the group had lived in the vicinity of area covered so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane for them.  Thanks to Jan and Pam who did a very enjoyable recce with me.  The Two Jans.


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Sep 17 2023

Macandrew Bay, Greenacre Street

Published by under Hikers,Year round

No. 6 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Macandrew Bay. (Greenacres St). J Allen. Year Round.”
No. 74 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Peninsula Traverse. Year Round”

Distance from car-park: 24 km.

11. 13/09/2023. Hikers. Delights of Macandrew Bay. Grade 2, $6, 24km, Leaders: Jenny Flack, Avis Williamson.

It was a reasonably pleasant September Spring Morning when 25 keen hikers gathered at Ralph Ham Park (The Muddy ) ready to tackle the ups & downs of the hidden pathways of Macandrew Bay.

On our way to discover the delights of Mac Bay - Jenni

On our way to discover the delights of Mac Bay (Photo & Caption Jenni)

We headed up Marine Parade to the first shortcut which took us rather steeply up to Marion St.

the hedge is along Marine Parade - Adrienne

The hedge is along Marine Parade (Photo & Caption Adrienne)

We stopped to breathe & admire the harbour views, daffodils, magnolias, kowhai trees & tuis which only got better as we walked along Howard St & Barling St . The descent to the harbourside was quite steep but in no time we were at Glenfalloch enjoying morning tea.

morning tea at Glenfalloch - Jenny

Morning tea at Glenfalloch (Photo & Caption Jenny)

Morning Tea at Glenfalloch - Adrienne (3)

Morning Tea at Glenfalloch (Photo & Caption Adrienne)

No long rest allowed tho & we were soon returning along Marine Parade, admiring more gardens , taking a hidden path between the school & Portobello road. We snuck down the Pharmacy’s driveway & took the side entrance to the Macandrew Bay cemetery where we were soon checking out James Macandrew’s headstone in a hidden corner.

Morning tea at Glenfalloch - Adrienne

Morning tea at Glenfalloch – Adrienne

Heather leading the charge up Kellas Street - Jenni

Heather leading the charge up Kellas Street (Photo & Caption Jenni)

Up Wharfdale St thro the shortcut to Mclelland St, a quick look at the windblown harbour then up Porterfield & the very steep Kellas St until everyone happily collapsed on the Flacks deck & enjoyed their lunch. After lunch we all safely descended the Track of Terror and then were treated to a garden tour at Judy & Greg Hawkers complete with chocolate chippie biscuits served by lovely 4 year old Georgie Hawker.

Amazing hospitality from the Hawker family - Jenni

Amazing hospitality from the Hawker family (Photo & Caption Jenni)

Along Mclelland Street - Adrienne

Along Mclelland Street – Adrienne

Judy Hawker talking about her garden - Jenny

Judy Hawker talking about her garden (Photo & Caption Jenny)

Judy Hawker talking about her garden - Adrienne

View from Jenny’s garden (Photo & Caption Adrienne)

The day was disappearing & afternoon tea at Glenfalloch was calling so while some paused at the Company Bay bus shelter the rest of us did a quick walk around the back of Company Bay & then all returned along the cycleway/ walkway to the cars.

This was my first trip as leader & I’d really like to thank my co-leader Avis for her help , also Jenni W & all the other walkers for their support & positive comments & my husband Trevor for woodchipping the paths to improve their safety .
Total distance covered 8km.
P.S. We all enjoyed a debrief at Glenfalloch. I did notice that it wasn’t only coffee & tea being consumed & somehow Alex managed to enjoy a free dessert !!
Jenny

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Sep 10 2023

Akatore Forest: Narrowdale Rd, Gorge Hill, Stewarts Farm

Published by under Trampers,Year round

PJP to Cnr Narrowdale and Golf Links Rd 41 km.
Golf Course Corner, Gorge Hill, Wilkinson Rd, Windy Ridge, Narrowdale Rd: Round walk. Tedious Narrowdale road walk-out.

4. 6/09/2023. Combined. Akatore Forest – Narrowdale Rd.
Grade 3, 41km, Leaders: Bruce Spittle, Alex Griffin, Sarah McCormack, Phil Morris.
On a goodly spring morning, we headed from Peter Johnstone Park with a good number of trampers and hikers. At Milburn we turned left into Narrowdale Road (of note turning right at same point was Lime works and Whale Fossil Lookout). With Wenita permit conditions, group was split with trampers lead by Phil M and Sarah tramping up old golf course road while hikers lead by Bruce and Alec tramped up Narrowdale Road.
20230906_1017 Jenni IMG_7650 Res 1400

Trampers setting off (photo and caption Jenni)

20230906_1017 Jenni IMG_7651 Res 1600

And the hikers also ready to go (photo and caption Jenni)

The trampers headed past 2 small farms up into pine trees which obscured views but with warm conditions. We continued the climb with a stop for morning tea.
20230906_1044 Pam IMG_6905 Res 1300

Morning tea in the clearing (photo and caption Pam)

Then along Stoop Road onto Homestead Road. Track conditions were perfect and chatter was aplenty. Time to junction Narrowdale and Homestead was 1.20min, 270 elevation.
Hikers travelling along Narrowdale Road past some belted Galloway cattle then up to the Rifle Range to the left. It was a good spot for morning tea.
20230906_1045 Jenni IMG_7652 Res 1600

Looks like a class photo (photo and caption Jenni)

20230906_1057 47 Phil K Res 800

Llivestock are well trained down here (photo and caption Phil K.

Then on to junction listed above (Narrowdale and Homestead). Time 1 hr, 185 elevation.
20230906_1143 Pam IMG_6909 Res 1200

Trampers and Hikers rendezvous (photo and caption Pam)

20230906_1143 55 Helen Res 1200

Rays of sun through the trees (photo and caption Helen)

The group continued left along Dale Road, down onto Siberia Road at the junction. We met at Lower Narrowdale Road where hikers and a few trampers travelled on a grassy track for 2km before they stopped for lunch at 12.45pm.
20230906_1218 26 Phil K Res 1000

Down lower Narrowdale rd (Hikers – pre lunch)(photo and caption Phil K.)

20230906_1258 29 Phil K Res 800

Incy wincy spider on Bill’s arm (hikers lunch) (photo and caption Phil K.)

The trampers continued up Siberia Road…

20230906_1221 Pam IMG_6910 Res 1000

Yes, it’s uphill, another layer off! (photo and caption Pam)

…with full elevation of 405m, where we turned left along newly-named Scooter Road, with a stop for lunch in the sun at 12.30pm.
20230906_1302 28 Helen Res 1000

Trampers lunch (photo and caption Helen)

After lunch we continued along Scooter Road in search of a view (but none could be found) of prison compounds, Calder Stewart Ltd or Milton township. A decision to return back to meet hikers was made. With the good track conditions, the birds in forest were unable to get a word in, for the continual chatter of the trampers about many scenarios.
20230906_1418 46 Helen Res 1400

A gathering to decide hard or easy back to cars (photo and caption Helen)

The trampers for the 2nd time were a few minutes late so most of the hikers took the Homestead track option, while the trampers headed down Narrowdale Road and back to cars by 15.05pm. The Hikers arrived back about 15.35-15.45. Pollen during the tramp could be seen blowing in the open, hence most had a lime greenish tinge on clothes, shoes. and on cars.
20230906_1532 42 Phil K Res 1200

They just won’t go home (photo and caption Phil K.)

It was an interesting part of the Akatore Block, thanks Bruce S for sourcing.

Phil M.
Stats: Hikers 13.5km (phone) 16km (Garmin), elevation gain 324m, travel 4hrs, grade 3
Trampers 15.2km, elevation 405m actual travel 3hs 30min, grade 3.5

8/10/2009. Trampers. Golf Course Corner, Gorge Hill, Wilkinson Rd, Windy Ridge, Narrowdale Rd. Medium. Leader: George.
Partly because Leone wasn’t available as a leader (swapped with Sabina earlier), George had not done a recce. Although he had a different route in mind, Ian persuaded him to take the gate just down from the Golf Course corner and up the (very) steep track to eventually arrive at the trig.
Glenice and George climbing last stretch to trig.

Glenice and George climbing last stretch to trig.

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Sep 02 2023

Nicols Creek, Swampy, Pineapple Track, Moon Track, Booth Road

Published by under Trampers,Year round

(David Nicol was an early settler and dairy farmer. He reputedly bought land here in the hope that the railway line would be routed north through Leith Valley.)

Click here for Antony Hamel’s YouTube video showing his exploration of the 5 falls of Nicols Creek.

Click here for an EXCELLENT MAP of Nicols Creek showing the location of The Basins (called the Cup and Saucer on the map), and the 5 waterfalls. (It also shows the Pepper Tree track location.)
Neighbours at War Click here for background and photos to the Finnerty Family and their house site on the Moon Track by Nicols Creek.
Click Swampy ridge track for background information.
Click Pineapple Track for background information.
Click Pineapple and Flagstaff walk for background information.
No. 17 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Nicols Creek. D McCabe. Year Round”
Nicols Creek circuit Maintained by Green Hut Track Group.
DCC land.

Booth Road 16.1 km from car park.


27. 30/08/2023. Trampers. Pineapple Track-Nicols Creek Grade 3.5-4 Leaders: Sarah and John
An Interview with Pineapple Track/Nicols Creek Tramp Leader Sarah by Tail End Charlie, John

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.

Getting ready for morning tea in the sun Caption and photo John

Getting ready for morning tea in the sun Caption and photo John

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.

crossing Nicol’s stream Caption and photo Pam

crossing Nicol’s stream Caption and photo Pam

From here we followed the lower track, traversing Nicols Creek before arriving at the Mountain Bike picnic table at 11.55am for lunch.

Lunch with a view worth taking in Caption and photo John

Lunch with a view worth taking in Caption and photo John

Panorama - View from lunch spot. Caption and photo John

Panorama – View from lunch spot. Caption and photo John

After lunch it was onto the upper track, traversing Nicols Creek.

somewhere in the bush! Caption and photo Pam

somewhere in the bush! Caption and photo Pam

Then onto the “new” Pineapple Track, and back to the cars via McGouns Track.

Heading down the pineapple track Caption and photo Pam

Heading down the pineapple track Caption and photo Pam

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.

Screenshot Sarah

Screenshot Sarah

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Sep 02 2023

Bethunes Gully, Mt Cargill, Buttars Peak, Organ Pipes, Old Main North Road, Brown House Corner, Norwood Street, Bethunes Gully.

Published by under Bush,Trampers,Year round

23 km from carpark. Cars meet at Bethunes Gully.
Click Mount Cargill history for background information. No. 11 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Bethunes Gully to T.V. Mast Organ Pipes. Wiggins. Year Round.” No. 100 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Bethunes Gully – Brown House – Signal Hill – Chingford Park Year Round”.  A broad gravelled track from picnic ground. NB. Opposite Brown House corner is an RSA Memorial to First World War servicemen and the old Junction School.


26. 30/08/2023. Hikers. Bethunes Gully to M 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.

Photo Alex

Photo Alex

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.

A little look at the top Caption and photo Helen

A little look at the top Caption and photo Helen

Bethunes Gully Caption Ady

Bethunes Gully Caption Ady

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.

Almost there Caption and photo Helen

Almost there Caption and photo Helen

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.

Photo Barbara

Photo Barbara

Photo Barbara 1

Photo Barbara

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!

Group trip heading down. Caption and photo Jenni

Group trip heading down. Caption and photo Jenni

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!

Blacks Road Cafe - very cool afternoon tea venue Caption and photo Jenni

Blacks Road Cafe – very cool afternoon tea venue Caption and photo Jenni

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

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Jun 28 2023

Pyramids, Victory Beach

No. 48 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Pyramids & Beach Area. (Victory Beach) Beach Walk only. Year Round”
Location: 38 km from car park.

Topo of Area


29. 21/06/2023 Hikers Victory Beach Grade 2 Leaders: Avis and Maria

The sunny day helped top off another very enjoyable walk to and along Victory Beach.
The flywheel, the only remaining evidence from the shipwreck of the “Victory “ cargo and passenger ship in 1861, was still visible and a highlight for those seeing it for the first time. The presence or two seals stopped some of us venturing too close to the flywheel.
Morning tea in the cave of the small pyramid, lunch after traversing the sandy climb to the start of the loop walk then a break back at the small pyramid while two of our 22 walkers climbed to the top of the pyramid to gain a magnificent view of the reserve and beach. We rounded the day off with a lovely afternoon tea at Glenfalloch.

Morning tea in the cave. Caption and photo Helen

Morning tea in the cave. Caption and photo Helen

Steep drop at the edge of the beach Caption and photo Helen

Steep drop at the edge of the beach Caption and photo Helen

Fly from Victory Caption and photo Helen

Fly from Victory Caption and photo Helen

Lunch in the sun Caption and photo Helen

Lunch in the sun Caption and photo Helen

Both Pyramids Caption and photo Helen

Both Pyramids Caption and photo Helen

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