The 3 van drivers had an interesting trip over the Kaimais, for some parts of the road were a running river - we thought that we were in for a very wet tramp indeed.
On arrival at Te Puna Quarry Park the weather was damp and looked as though it was going to be decidedly worse, but we still manage…
This tramp coincided with the Chinese New Year Festival, so because of the possibility of a busy car park at the Botanic Gardens, Colin decided that we would park at the Redoubt Road entrance, from where we walked through Totara Park towards the Puhinui stream. Initially there was farmland with good…
Seven of us gathered at the carpark at Karangahake on a cool and rather blustery Spring morning. We had to find our way around the safety fencing at the approaches to the new swing bridge nearing completion, to access the old bridge across the river. We then left the main Karangahake walkway and hea…
2 van loads of intrepid trampers set off for this brand new (for the Wanderers) tramp. A brief stop at the newly renovated Ngongotaha Reserve and then around lakes Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti to the Western Okataina Walkway. We started with a quick morning tea and then had a steady steep climb up to th…
I had not ventured into this area for a number of years, and today was a brilliantly fine day to be out exploring this lovely valley again. Our group of 8 Grade 3 trampers set off with Lorna & Brenda as our guides.
As we passed the old disused Quarry and followed the track up we could hear McBrinn’…
A fine, frosty start to the day and two vans packed with enthusiastic trampers. We commenced our walk after morning tea and paused at the "wishing" pool whose surface resembled a ghostly mirror with branches and other vegetation bleached white by the minerals in the water. The Redwoods which were …
Two vans left Hamilton for Raglan, where our first stop was for a toilet break and morning tea.
The next stop was the Water Race Track, rather muddy in places, which led us down to a lovely stream. Once back at the vans we donned our packs and headed down the Bryant Memorial Scenic Reserve Track,…
Twentyone keen Wanderers headed off to Waotu (South Waikato), in two vans and one car in weather predicted to be windy and wet.
Our first stop was the Jim Barnett Reserve where Bernie gave us a talk on the surrounding area. The walk through the reserve was short but interesting, as all the tracks…
Twelve G1.5 Wanderers left a fresh but fine Hamilton and headed towards our destination near Katikati, with a pit stop in Waihi before arriving at our starting point on Hot Springs Road.
We ate our morning tea while the Grade 3’s headed off on their tramp at a brisk pace. The views were lovely bus…
Our small group of ten had not ventured to this part of Pirongia before. After a brief stop at the car park we trailed the grade threes up the mountain, following the forest access tracks upwards and heeding the avid mountain bikers who are keen enthusiasts and users of the mountain bike trails that…
This grade 2 tramp started and finished at the Katikati end of Thompsons’ track. Fortified by morning tea we tramped upwards for a short distance and then followed a downhill track to the bridge and two stream crossings which were not difficult. The bush was beautiful, as the sun was shining throug…
I had never been to the rock before and it makes for a good winter tramp when the weather behaves, as it did.
Whilst a bit of a drive from Hamilton the walk itself isn’t long, it starts flat but at about 15 minutes a steady climb commences just after the splendid large kauri which is maybe 600 y…
Two vans of keen trampers headed for Pirongia to explore new areas on a day without significant rain – remarkable in this wet, wet June.
Nine Grade 3’s headed up the gravel forest road, with the Waipa Mountain Biking Club tracks alongside - an easy gradient at this stage. At the end of the road…
In all seven of us started on the walk to Blue Springs . The Waihou river is stunningly
pure, the water having been underground for fifty years.
The walk was great and just as described in the bulletin ,wetlands ,small rushing waterfalls ,native. bush and plenty of trout in the swiftly flowing…
After a couple of false starts we hit the road and arrived at the track start in time to find the 2's enjoying their morning tea. By 10 o’clock we were off. Fortunately our leader knew where to find the start of the track, and then it was relentlessly up-hill, often following markers that only Gran…
I first heard of this trip a few years ago, when becoming involved with the Kaimai Ridgeway project. In 2015 the Auckland Tramping club had cut a new track that gave access to the old Pylon track and bypassed the Kauri Grove track, since partly closed by DOC. I had read a report of a track loop th…
Three van-loads of eager trampers hit the road for Lake Okataina on what ended up being a beautiful day. On arrival at the education centre the groups had time for a quick cuppa before the outnumbered group 3s ventured off to the trig.
Kindly Keith herded the numerous group 1s into a semblanc…
The tramp commenced beneath the attractive entranceway which marks the start of the Western Okataina Walkway. As the group posed for a mandatory photo session, it was noticed that one errant member of the group was improperly dressed. The leaders felt that all members of the group should be wearing …
The week before Easter a group of 9 Wanderers travelled down to Rangitoto Station, inland from Otorohanga, to spend 3 nights in a well-appointed farm house.
The ride in was very adventurous due to travelling on a rough farm vehicle track, and on our way we stopped to look at Arthur Cowan's Hut …
On this misty morning 24 Keen trampers set off in two vans. Our first stop was at the Waikino Station, where we waited for the train to come for an 11am departure. Most of the group treated themselves to morning tea in the cozy station cafe, which featured an open fireplace.
We then boarded the…