Signal Hill Tramps

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 “Signal Hill Tramps”

Signal Hill Centennial Memorial, Ravensbourne, Big Easy

24. 26/07/2023. Big Easy. Hikers. Grade 2.5, $5, 19km, Leaders: Pam Clough, Jay Devlin.

23 enthusiastic Hikers parked opposite the old Ravie Pub in very cold windy conditions as we started our walk to the Otago Yacht Club, where we took shelter for morning tea.

Alex
Taking shelter – Photo Alex

We then made our way past the stadium then down Butts Road to the beginning of the Big Easy Track behind Logan Park High School.

Alex Griffin 1
At the start of the Big Easy Track – Photo Alex
Alex Griffin 2
Photo Alex

The track is a zigzag gentle climb for 3.6ks to the Plateau where we stopped for lunch in very cold windy conditions so needless to say we didn’t linger too long to enjoy the lovely views of Dunedin.

Dunedin City from Big Easy - Photo & Caption Michael Webb
Dunedin City from Big Easy – Photo & Caption Michael Webb
Jay organising afternoon coffee - Photo & Caption Michael Webb
Jay organising afternoon coffee – Photo & Caption Michael Webb

After lunch we followed the track and various steep streets back to Ravensbourne 11.3kms all up.

Alex Griffin
Photo Alex

Coffee was at Sunnyvale where we enjoyed a roaring fire.

Leaders were Pam and Jay.


23. 18/05/2022. Cleghorn Street/Signal Hill. Leaders Pam Clough & Jan Yardley

Cleghorn Street to Signal Hill Lookout. A very pleasant day weatherwise saw 14 of us undertaking this walk. We parked near Cleghorn Street and walked up the road before entering the farm track which was a bit muddier than expected.

Signal Hill 18 May Getting ready John
Getting ready to start out at Cleghorn Street (photo & caption John)
Signal Hill 18 May Great walking day John
Beautiful hiking conditions (photo & caption John)
Signal Hill 18 May Morning tea John
Morning tea in the sun (photo & caption John)

Then a long downhill stretch to come out on to Signal Hill Road. Headed up as far as the Signal Hill Lookout where we had lunch. After a reasonably lengthy lunch, as we were at the Lookout shortly after 11.30, headed back to the cars the same way we had come. Previously we had done a round trip, which necessitated car shuffling and a very steep descent via Blacks Road, so the leaders decided a ‘there and back’ would be easier.

Signal Hill 18 May View over city John
Downhill leg overlooking Dunedin (photo & caption John)
Signal Hill 18 May view at monument John
The Signal Hill Lookout (photo & caption John)
Signal Hill 18 May Start of trek back to cars John
Start of the trek back to the cars (photo & caption John)
Signal Hill 18 May Group photo John
Group photo – Yes the camera is on a slope (sitting on a rock) (photo & caption John)
Signal Hill 18 May An example of Pams photographic skills John
An example of Pam’s photographic skills (photo & caption John)

Great views of the harbour and peninsula on the way back, as evidenced by John’s fine pictures. The day ended with coffee at the Botanical Gardens cafe – a most memorable day enjoyed by all. Pam and Jan.


22. 8 December 2021. Hikers. The Big Easy. M. Leaders: Jay Devlin & Pam Clough

18 eager hikers reported to the carpark behind Logan Park High School on a beautiful sunny calm day. We looked up to where we were going and it looked a steep climb up but in fact it was a very gentle zigzag climb.

20211208084507_IMG_6337 Ross 1000
Heading off up the Big Easy (photo and caption Ross)
20211208084657_IMG_6341 Ross 1000
Warming up up the Big Easy (photo & caption Ross)
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Gaining height (photo and caption Ross)

A third of the way up the track we stopped for morning tea with lovely views over Dunedin to Taieri Mouth. This is a pleasant walk in amongst native bush with lots of lovely tree ferns and abundant bird life.

20211208092346_IMG_6344 Ross 1000
Morning tea spot on a big bend on the Big Easy (photo and caption Ross)

We reached the monument right on lunchtime. This area really showed off the beauty of Dunedin and surrounding coastline and suburbs.

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Lunchime at the monument (photo and caption Ross)
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Lunch with a view (photo and caption Ross)

After lunch we walked back down a steep Signal Hill Road which was a bit ouch on the knees. We then turned left into Blacks Road where we again entered the Big Easy Track that wasn’t signposted as it seemed to look like a driveway, but was shown on a map when we did the recce. This part of the track was particularly steep and had to be negotiated carefully but thankfully no one slipped over. 11k completed. We had coffee at The Hub which is in the University precinct. Leaders for the day were Pam and Jay.


21. 24 November 2021. Trampers. Ravensbourne, Signal Hill, Big Easy. M. Leaders: Theresa White & Ross Davies

We were greeted with a beautiful day and 16 members set off from the Marina, along the walk/ cycle way at a good pace. We crossed the road at the hotel, across Adderlay Terrace, to a walkway up the hill.  Morning tea at the Manuka St playground got the breathing back on track.

24 Nov Morning tea Helen resize
Morning tea (caption and photo Helen)

Street walking for a bit until we reached the entrance to the Signal Hill track. At the top the new planting of native trees had grown quite a lot since we were there last time. The way to the top from the Plateau was by the Telecom Track. Up and up we continued.

24 Nov Walking up Signal Hill track Pam resize
Walking up to the Signal Hill Lookout from the Ravensbourne Track (caption and photo Pam)

A short break with a view of our beautiful city of Dunedin was enjoyed from the Monument. Onwards along the Signal Hill road until we came to the “No Exit “street on the right (used to be Cleghorn Street).

24 Nov Looking back south over Dunedin Pam resize
Looking back south over Dunedin from the ‘No Exit’ road off Signal Hill Road

We all wondered if the rescue teams would find us!! Up the gravel Cleghorn Street until we got to the many masted site at the top. At this point there was a small mutiny among the troops. NO MORE UP!!! Our intrepid leader Ross said “Just a bit more and the view will be worth it“. We followed a small track through some broom, over a style, into farm land, along a pine plantation and true to his word there was the view. The whole harbour and all the surrounding small settlements were there for us to” ooh and ahh” at over lunch.

24 Nov Lunchstop Ross resize
Lunch with a view (caption and photo Ross)

 

24 Nov Lunchstop Marijke resize
Our lunch stop presented us with a magnificent view, like a Colin McCahon painting (caption and photo Marijke)

The return trip was thankfully down.

24 Nov Signal Hill Track Ross resize
Signal Hill Track called Centre Road (caption and photo Ross)

We choose the shortest route down the cycle trails to Logan Park School.

Coffee at the Plaza before returning to the cars at the Marina.

Screenshot Strava Signal Hill Route Ross 676x397
Screenshot Strava Signal Hill Route (Ross)
Screenshot Signal Hill Elevation Ross 773x259
Screenshot Signal Hill Elevation (Ross)

Theresa & Ross


20. 24/8/2016. Trampers. Signal Hill Tramp.  Leaders: Neil and Margreet.

Well the chilly Nor’easterly was ‘thin’ and the drizzle was horizontal; but 7 hardy trampers set out from the yacht club and walked to Ravensbourne along the walkway/cycleway. After crossing SH88 we found shelter in the lee of the War Memorial for morning tea.

Morning tea in shelter of the Ravensbourne war memorial. (Helen pic and caption.)
Morning tea in shelter of the Ravensbourne war memorial. (Helen pic and caption.)

It was a nuggety wee zig-zag up Manuka St to find the track entrance to Signal Hill. A steady climb in dripping bush for 20 minutes saw us break out at the Plateau. Following the Telecom track, another energetic climb took us to the Centennial Monument.

Top of Signal Hill. (Helen pic and caption.)
Top of Signal Hill. (Helen pic and caption.)

We should have had stunning panoramic views over the city but sadly it was just a pea soup vista!

Leaving the two large bronze figures (‘History’ and ‘The Thread of Life’) to the raging elements, we quickly descended to the sheltering bush line where a nice ‘possie’ for lunch was discovered.

Lunch today. (Margreet pic and caption.)
Lunch today. (Margreet pic and caption.)

After a leisurely (obviously Neil Morrison was absent!) lunch, the team continued down the ‘Big Easy’ mountain bike trail to Logan Park High School and onward to the start point. On the way we did see the restored Opoho Creek fish ponds which are home to the Banded Kokopu (a type of whitebait); and also the old Pelichet Bay infectious diseases hospital established in 1908 above Butts Road.

Highlight of the day had to be a hot drink at the warm and welcoming Emerson’s Brewery. Distance 10.5 KM.

– Neil and Margreet.


19. 11/3/2015. LPHS to Ravensbourne. Leaders: Jim and Betty.

Centennial Memorial (Elaine pic)
Centennial Memorial (Elaine pic)

18. 27/11/2013. Both. Marina, LPHS, Memorial, Ravenbourne, Harbour Walkway, Marina. Leaders: Jim and Betty.

Route
Route. Turned GPS on only at LPHS car-park. Sorry! Add abt 1.5 km gap from our cars to the 6.82 total (obscured) to get 8.32 km.

Struggle

Steep climb. Somewhere between the 1 & 2 km indicators on map.

Memorial
Memorial photo.(At the little tail between the 2 & 3 km indicators on map.)
Lunch
Lunch at 4 km indicator on map – I think.

17. 2/11/2011. Hikers. Both. Logan Park, Centennial Memorial. Leaders: Jim, Betty, Ian.

The mist and rain was heavier on the Taieri than Dunedin, as 8 of us found on a tramp that turned out well worth while.

It was parka weather but neither rain- or sun-hat was necessary.

We met three donkeys where the track meets the Ravensbourne streets. A hee-haw is the most raucous sound.

But apparently it is a friendly sound …

Short Video

… and welcome to a friendly scratch on the neck.


16. 14/4/2010. Hikers. Signal Hill, Logan Park. Leaders: Bev H, Chris.

The two trampers for the day joined the hikers. A surprising group of mushrooms behind the Logan Park High School were quickly “gobbled” up. The steep hill beyond was heavily marked with zig-zag BMX tracks.

We tackled the climb.
Further up was a pleasant walk through an avenue of bush.
A lane through the trees
We sat on the steps of the Centennial Memorial for lunch. Several groups of people came and went before us, including one group who came to scatter the ashes of a family member. A member of a bus group offered to take our picture with Elaine’s camera.
Who thought to include the sign? (From Elaine’s positive)
Leaving the memorial, we made our way down through trees and cleared ground to Ravensbourne. This was the first time several of us had made the Ravensbourne-Signal Hill- Logan Park trip in the reverse direction.

Down at Ravensbourne, several ‘went to bed’ on a mattress stored outside beside a shop.

After that, it was along the walkway beside the railway and then back to the cars at Logan Park High School parking area. Thanks to Bev and Chris for a well-planned and guided walk. – Ian


15. 17/10/2007. Hikers. Logan Park, Signal hill. Medium. Leaders: Barbara and Arthur.
14. 27/9/2006. Trampers. Logan Park, Ravensbourne, Signal hill, Opoho. Easy. Leaders: Evelyn C, Lesley S
13. 7/7/2004. Both. Logan Park, Ravensbourne, Signal Hill. Medium. Leaders: Ian, Arthur and Barbara.
12. 17/9/2003. Hikers. Logan Park, Signal Hill. Medium. Leaders: Betty, Colleen.
11. 14/8/2002. Logan Park School – Signal Hill. Medium. Leaders: Molly, Hazel, Barbara McC.
10. 28/3/2001. Ravensbourne to Signal Hill. Leaders: Jack and Rosemary, Catherine.
9. 18/10/2000. Ravensbourne – Signal Hill Road. Leaders: Sabina, Anne, Wendy B
8. 19/5/1999. Ravensbourne, Adderley Terrace, Signal Hill. Leaders: Jack and Rosemary, Doreen.
7. 8/4/1998. Signal Hill, via West Harbour return via Opoho. Park at old Art Gallery. Leadrs: daphne, Shirley R.
6. 27/3/1996. Signal Memorial return Adderley Terrace. Leaders: Les and Mavis, Margaret D, Judy
5. 31/8/1994. Logan Park, Ravensbourne, Adderley Tce, Signal Hill, Opoho. Medium. Leaders: Daphne, Margaret D, Mary L, Myrie.
4. 21/7/1993. Logan Park, Ravensbourne, Adderley Terrace, Signal Hill, Opoho, Logan Park. Medium. Round Trip. Cars at Art Gallery. Leaders: Betty B, Daphne, Margaret D, Pet A
3. 28/8/1991 Signal Hill via West Harbour. Return via Opoho. Leaders: George, Barbara M, Evelyn M, Peg C
2. 2/5/1990 Signal Hill via Logan Point and up Adderley Terrace, Ravensbourne. Back through Opoho and Northern Cemetery. A good city walk with plenty of history. Average. One hill only. Leaders: Nancy, Margaret B, Bev M, Molie
1. 28/9/1988. Signal Hill Memorial. Interesting Dunedin history. Harbour views. Leaders: George, Peg C, Molly.

Big Easy, Signal Hill, Ravensbourne, Opoho, Northern Cemetery – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This grouping of Club tramps and hikes covers trips involving the Big Easy to Signal Hill Memorial, Ravensbourne, Opoho (incorporating Willowbank), the Northern Cemetery. (map)

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
Town Belt Article – good links to Signal Hill and Green Belt (see also Dunedin Town Belt).
Opoho Historical Background Notes

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

16/10/2024. Ravensbourne, Signal Hill, Big Easy. Trampers.  Leader: John Gardiner.
21/08/2024. Big EasyHikers. Leaders: Pam Clough, Jay Devlin.


Signal Hill Centennial Memorial, Ravensbourne, Big Easy (2023 – 1998, 24 trips with 9 reports).
Botanic Garden, Logan Park, Northern Cemetery, Chingford, Big Easy (2021 – 1996, 25 trips with 16 reports inc. 19/05/2021 and 30/09/2015 for Big Easy).
Signal Hill Tramps (2023 – 1992, 19 trips  with 8 reports inc. 22/08/2018 for Big Easy).
Street Walk – Willowbank-Opoho area. (2022 – 2017, 2 trips with reports)

West Harbour Recreation Trail

20 km from car park

8. 19/10/2022. St Leonards. Grade 1.5. Helen and Linda

Eighteen of us met at the Ravensbourne carpark opposite the old hotel, and in beautiful sunshine we walked along Totara St above the main road along to the park at the end where we had morning tea. From there we sauntered down the hill and crossed Ravensbourne Rd to the walkway and followed it until we got to Burkes.

Helen Ingrams 2
Photo Helen

The bus stop there has a striking monochrome mural (or ‘Muriel’ to longtime Coro viewers) of the old brewery that used to stand on the site.

Helen Ingrams 1
Photo Helen

Up to the streets above Ravensbourne Rd, all named after native birds where we walked to St Leonards passing well kept gardens including one with a stall of plants from Bluestone Nurseries for sale which the keen gardeners amongst us were very interested in. We saw both Lodges in St Leonards, and stopped for an early lunch at the end of Takahe Terrace on the edge of a sports ground. Then back down to the walkway which took us all the way back to the Ravensbourne carpark. A very relaxed and enjoyable day.

Jenny flexing her muscles on the exercise machine Ravensbourne walkway.
Jenny flexing her muscles on the exercise machine Ravensbourne walkway. Caption and photo Linda

We stopped at Emersons for a coffee on the way home. Thanks to Raewyn for organising this hike. And a  special thanks to Linda for leading the group at short notice.  Helen


7. 12/6/2019. West Harbour Walkway. E. Jay and Raewyn.

On a very nice winter’s day 30 enthusiastic hikers made their way to the Carpark opposite the
Ravensbourne Hotel to start the walk along the West Harbour walk and cycle way.   We stopped 15 minutes along the track for morning tea and those that felt a need had a turn on the exercise equipment to test
their skills.   Along  the way we came across a  railway maintenance crew  doing work on the track.  This really fascinated many though mainly the men. I’m sure with a bit of encouragement they would have
jumped the fence to have a try at hammering in the squiggly steel rods.   Further along  we left the track at Burkes and crossed a very busy road to walk up the various streets including Kiwi St, Kaka St. down Pukeko St. past  St Leonards Hall and school.

C.1) Great views of the harbourc
Great views of the harbour. (Clive pic and caption.)

On the way we enjoyed  looking at  historical homes and lovely gardens including St Leonards Lodge

C.3) One of the grand housesc
One of the grand houses. (Clive pic and caption.)

and  University Lodge.  We had lunch in the sunshine at
the St Leonards Park.

C.2) Lunch at St Leonards' football clubc ground
Lunch at St Leonards’ football club ground. (Clive pic and caption.)

After lunch we returned to our cars walking the whole way on the track and also had the pleasure of watching the large tanker and tug boat making their way up the harbour.  A very
pleasant 10.5kms.   Coffee stop was at the stadium.  – Raewyn and Jay.


6. 19/7/2017. Hikers. Boat Harbour to St Leonards ret. Leaders: Bev and Judy.

21 hikers parked at the Otago yacht Club and walked the cycle/walkway to St Leonards and back, a total of 11 ks.
Route map, courtesy Ian.

21 hikers parked at the Otago yacht Club and walked the cycle/walkway to St Leonards and back, a total of 11 ks – not bad for a mid-winter day with planned hikes cancelled due to illness of leaders.  Morning tea was had on the yacht club verandah as it was still a bit chilly.  With a cold breeze in our faces we stepped it out briskly …

Walkway name. (Ian pic and caption.)
A ship. (Ian pic and caption.)

… to St Leonards where lunch was eaten with a bit of sunshine to help.  The return trip saw us well spread out with unfit ones like myself dragging the chain a bit at the back of the pack.  We were reunited at the University coffee shop where a pleasant social hour was spent. – Judy.


5. 13/1/2016 Hikers. Ravensbourne – Burks – St Leonards. Leaders: Judy and Adrienne, Helen.

Route map
Route map

We parked cars down below the Ravensbourne Hotel and took the walkway to Burkes where we morning-tead.

Cuppa in bus shelter
Cuppa in bus shelter
Cuppa on lawn
Cuppa on lawn

We took the old road to St Leonards reflecting on its probably origin as just a track through the bush following the easiest gradient. We turned up Kiwi Street, along Kaka Street, admiring well-kept properties there, down Pukeko  and along past St Leonards Hall and the school. Up Ruru to view the mock Tudor House.

Tudor house by the harbour
Tudor house by the harbour

Down again  to front past the University Lodge  Gates, and next it, St Leonards Lodge. Then along to St Leonards Park for lunch.

Ready for sun or shower
Sun/shower security.
Ladies on the lawn
Ladies on the lawn.

Returning back to the cars we were relieved the cold southerly had abated somewhat. Thanks to Judy, Adrienne and Helen for excellent leadership. – Ian.


4. 29/10/2014 Hikers. Ravensbourne Walkway. E. Leaders: Peter and Wendy.

On the 29th October a very good group of hikers started off from the boat club on from the stadium. The day was cool to start with then got warm and sunny.
Pub
Harbour View Hotel (John Pic)
What a pleasure it is to walk on this wonderful walkway. There was so much going on in the harbour and train tracks. A very large goods train sped past us
Train
Train (John pic)
and a not very tidy rail car …
Shabby railcar (John pic)
Shabby railcar (John pic)
… I thought was up and down the track a few times.
The $12million Otago tug
Tug
Tug (John pic)
chuffed along the channel following [Tug illustration chosen shows the tug going the other way earlier. Sorry. Ed.] a cargo ship …
Ship. (John caption)
Ship. (John pic)
… going to the Dunedin wharf.
Lunch stop was very sheltered, with plenty to watch on the walkway – runners … cyclists … mums with prams …
Two of our group caught the eye of another group and had their photo taken which was published in the Star local paper on Thursday 30th.
I was very taken with a stone sofa on the side of the walkway.
Looking very nonchalant (John pic, Fred caption)
Looking very nonchalant! (John pic, Fred caption)
Who made it and how long has it been there?
All up we walked over 10km Lets hope this walkway does find its way to Port Chalmers in the future.
We spoke to a young girl on the track from Uni. She was part of a group of students from the Mining dept. She was amazed when Mollie told her how old she was. Then Doug came striding along and I said he was the same age. She was very impressed with us.
We had a coffee at the Plaza which is the cafe at the stadium in the uni part.
Have a good week everyone. – Elaine.

3. 27/3/2013 Hikers. Pedestrian-Cycle Track Rowing Club to St Leonards. E. Leaders: Arthur and Barbara.

GPS
“GPS” of route.
ship
LPG tanker viewed from walkway

2. 9/3/2011. Hikers Pedestrian/Cycle track North End Rowing Club to Maia E. Leaders: Arthur and Barbara.


1. 17/6/2009 Hikers Pedestrian/Cycle track North End Rowing Club to Maia E $4.00 Leaders: Lois & Lance

7 members (Molly, Neil, Lois, Lance, Bev, Margaret and Angela) set off at 10am from the University Aquatic Centre (just north of the Boat Harbour, via Leander St- opposite Butts Road on the way to Port Chalmers beside Palmers Quarry – now known as Shiel Concrete) for a brisk stroll to the Ravensbourne Yacht Club, stopping a while for morning tea.

From there we proceeded to Maia crossing the railway line at Hume Pipeworks, opposite the Ravensbourne Hotel, which looked closed for the winter.

There are extensive notices in yellow & red advising one NOT to cross the railway line but in this case we had no alternative as the walkway from the Ravensbourne yacht club proceeded on the left-hand side of the yacht club on the site of the second railway line which has since been removed.

Upon leaving Maia we proceeded up Ascog Road & along Totara St and down Adderley Terrace to the Ravensbourne Hotel, across the road to the overbridge at the Ravensbourne Yacht club and back to the cars.

The walk took approx 1 1/2 hours and because of the cool temperatures and accompanying wind chill factor it was decided to go home for lunch.

An enjoyable walk taking 3 hours (includes an hour travelling time) – Angela.