No permission needed to reservoir.
Cedar Farm: Seek Access Permission DCC Forestry.
TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 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) Cedar Farm – take SH88 to Port Chalmers and at the south end of George Street turn sharp left onto Borlases Road then right onto Blueskin Road. Continue on this road past Scott Memorial to Cedar farm Road on the left (about 10 – 15 minutes further on). Limited parking is available.
(2) Mihiwaka – proceed past Cedar Farm Road (about 5 minutes) past the “S” bend in the road to the start of the track. Limited parking is available.
11. 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.
Trampers setting off (photo and caption Jenni)
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.
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.
Looks like a class photo (photo and caption Jenni)
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.
Trampers and Hikers rendezvous (photo and caption Pam)
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.
Down lower Narrowdale rd (Hikers – pre lunch)(photo and caption Phil K.)
Incy wincy spider on Bill’s arm (hikers lunch) (photo and caption Phil K.)
The trampers continued up Siberia Road…
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Gorge Hill Trig.
As there was general feeling that we should return by the usual road route, we went on down through the forestry and farm to Wilkinson Road in the valley, being early enough to climb up it and lunch at the top.
View of forestry plantings taken from Wilkinson Road.
After lunch just below the crest to shelter from the cool wind, we emerged onto Windy Ridge and all its views.
Toko plain with Correction Facility centre right. Keith. What is he looking at?!
A couple more upward slopes across the ridge, and it was down, down and on on along Narrowdale Road and back to the cars safely home before the promised cold hailstone front due in from the south slammed in at afternoon tea time when we were refreshingly showered, sheltered, nourished and warm.
9. 12/7/2006. Trampers. Stewarts Forestry, Gorge Hill, Windy Ridge, Narrowdale Road. Leaders: Graham, Ian
8. 24/3/2004 Trampers. Gorge Hill. Medium. Leaders: Doug M, Bob H
6. 28/6/2000 Gorge Hill – Narrowdale Road. Leaders: Ian, Dot T
5. 21/4/1999. Gorge Hill – via Wilkinson Road. Leaders: Ria L, Joyce, Molly.
4. 10/6/1998. Gorge Hill via Wilkinson Road, round trip. Leaders: George, Hazel.
3. 15/10/1997. Gorge Hill round trip from Wilkinson Road. Leaders: Hugh, Jack M, Ivan.
2. 23/5/1990. Gorge Hill – round trip via Wilkinson Road. Great views of Lake Waihola and Milton. Average. One hill to start. Leaders: Peggy M, Nel v Elizabeth Peg C
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.
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)
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
TRTC Grading Information – trips to Mount Hyde Station are generally given a TRTC grading of 3. This is indicative only, as depending on the route taken, allocation of gradings can differ from this. For more detailed analysis refer to Grading Information.
Access Permissions are required as this trip ventures over a working farm and forestry operations – refer guidelines Lambing season September – November.
How To Get There:
Take George King Memorial Drive (turn right after crossing the bridge over the Taieri River just out of Outram) and follow the road to Mount Hyde Road (approx 15 km) and turn right. Continue to the end of the gravel road for parking.
Links to tramps and hikes in this area:
Mount Hyde Station. 2023 – 1988 (16 trips, 4 with reports and photos, 1 with report only, 1 with photos only, 10 with no reports or photos)
This page of club tramps and hikes covers trips on the North Coast north of Dunedin City, Waitati involving club trips to Goodwood Road, Bobby’s Head, Mount Royal and Puketapu (Palmerston) (map)
Access Permissions are required as trips to Mount Royal venture over a working farm – refer guidelines
Restrictions: Tavora Reserve (Bobby’s Head) is closed to the public over the penguin breeding season (November to February).
Puketapu Track closed for lambing September – November
TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 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:
Bobby’s Head (Tavora Reserve): Drive north on SH1, past Waikouaiti to Goodwood Road (before Palmerston). Turn right onto Goodwood Road and continue to Bobby’s Head Road (about 10 minutes), turn right and proceed to the carpark at the start of the track.
Puketapu Track is located in the township of Palmerston, north of Dunedin on SH1.
Access Permissions are required as trips to Hope Hill venture over a working farm – refer guidelines.
Restrictions: lambing August-November
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.
How To Get There:
Proceed south on SH1 just past Allanton to a farm gate on the left of the highway. Parking is available through the gate on the farm property.
Links to tramps and hikes in this area:
29/01/2025. Hope Hill. Grade 4. Trampers. Leaders: John Gardiner and Martin Hickley.
TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 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:
Take SH1 north towards Herbert township. Turn left off SH1 just before the hill over the railway line just past Waianakarua onto Breakneck Road. Take an immediate right on Breakneck Road and continue past the camping ground to Reid Road. Turn left for parking and the Herbert Forest track.
This page of club tramps and hikes covers trips on the North Coast north of Waitati and groups trips to Karitane (Huriawa Pa site), Split Rock (including Maori Peak), Seacliff and Warrington. (map)
Access Permissions are required as trips to Split Rock and Maori Peak ventures over a working farm – refer guidelines
TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 2-3. 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.
(1) Warrington – take SH1 North around Blueskin Bay to Evansdale and turn right onto Coast Road and follow road to Warrington. Take right turn down Bank Road and left into Bay Road that ends at the beach domain.
(2) Seacliff (Maori Point, Split Rock) – take SH1 North as above and continue on Coast Road past Warrington and turn left onto Russell Road to the Truby King Reserve.
(3) Karitane – as above, follow Coast Road past Warrington and Seacliff directly to Karitane, or continue on SH1 to Hawksbury (formerly Cherry Farm) and turn sharp right onto Coast Road, follow to Karitane township. Park at the Karitane Domain.
This page of club tramps and hikes covers trips on the North Coast north of Dunedin City, Waitati and groups trips to Waikaouati, the Hawksbury Lagoon, Matanaka Homestead. (map)
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.
How To Get There:
Take SH1 north to Waikouati township. Turn right onto Beach Street and follow the road to the beach where there is parking. Conversely continue on the road (to the left) to the recreation reserve where again there is parking and toilets available.
Links to tramps and hikes in this area:
07/05/2025. Waikouaiti – Matakana. Grade 2.5. Combined. Leaders: Carol Thurlow, Jill Thomas and Clare Banks (with much help from Graham Thurlow) 09/04/2025 Old Country Track, Waikouaiti Grade 2 Hikers or Combined. Leaders: Jan Butcher, Shirley and Noel McRandle.
This page of club tramps and hikes covers trips on the North Coast, north of Dunedin City, Waitati and groups trips to Careys Creek, Rongami and Honeycomb Tracks, Evansdale Glen and Black Gully Dam. (map)
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.
Careys Creek is reached via SH1 at Evansdale Glen located just as the road begins to climb over the Kilmog. A sign on the left of the road indicates the route down to Evansdale Glen where there is limited parking available prior to driving through the stream to the picnic area.
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.
How To Get There:
Take SH1 North and turn left onto McGrath Road just before the Hawkesbury (old Cherry Farm site). Continue on this road to the intersection of Ramrock and Mount Watkin Roads and turn left onto Mount Watkin Road. Continue onto an area (approx 5kms) to a limited parking area below Mount Watkin itself.
TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 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.
How To Get There:
Take SH1 south and turn left onto Forsyth Road (just before Milton). At the end of this road turn right onto Back Raod then left onto Glenledi Road. Follow this road some distance to reach Chrystalls Beach.
Access Permissions are required as trips to Nichols Farm ventures over a working farm – refer guidelines
Restrictions: lambing August-November
TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of 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:
Drive to the Outram Bridge via Outram Mosgiel Road. Turn right before going across the bridge and park down underneath the bridge. Limited parking is available.
