2 van loads of intrepid trampers braved the weather to venture out to Rotorua for the Hemo Gorge walk. Thunder clouds threatened to dampen our adventures but did not deliver heavy rain.
We started the tramp at the southern end of town (I had my compass so I knew that) at the car park at Whakare…
What we lacked in numbers we made up with in enthusiasm and good cheer. Six wanderers made up this group and after arriving at our destination we had a quick cuppa before setting off for the first of what would be numerous river crossings of varying difficulty, width and depth. And it was a marvel…
Sixteen souls coping with Level 2 restrictions headed off in two vans to Waikino Railway station for morning tea, where we waited for the 10:45 train.
It was a nice leisurely ride aboard the train to Waihi, but a photo taken on board the train suggests we may have had a masked train robber amoung u…
Six of us set off up the Lower Level Loop track at a comfortable pace. Mosses and lichens looked shrivelled and dead and a number of waterfalls were totally absent - not even a glisten!
We had brief stops for historical tales, peering into mine tunnels, or minor detours to historic sites close by. …
Both walks had small select groups today; Keith and 4 girls were aiming for the Karaka track and Carol with 4 boys were off on the Waiotahi track. The weather was kind to us, not as hot as recent days but a good walking temperature.
First to be dropped off were the Waiotahi walkers, and morning t…
Eighteen happy Wanderers set off on a beautiful sunny day for Endeans Timber Mill at Waimiha in the King Country on this grade 1 trip .
Two local worthies met us at the mill site to show us through the ruins, once they had collected our entry fee. From the road the whole place appeared to be …
Seven trampers in a van plus two in a car set off from Hamilton shortly after 7.30am. The first goal was to get to the centre of the North Island, which required a long drive down a bumpy, pot holed, gravel track. We arrived around 10am, had a quick morning tea, then walked 5 minutes to the "Centre …
A happy group of Wanderers loaded their gear into the three awaiting vans and headed towards the Kaimais, hoping the predicted thunderstorms would not eventuate.
Arriving at the McLaren Falls, we walked on to the bridge to view a great expanse of rock with very little water running downstream. D…
The Tarawera Falls trip was memorable for two reasons:
However, the beauty of the bush track a…
A group of 16 trampers set of for a nice promising dry tramp at the far end of Waihi beach After a short morning tea Keith gave a rundown of what Bowentown was like when the Waihi gold mine workers would come over for recreation on the weekends and for holidays.
The walk began with a steep climb …
The Stubbs family generously offer the use of their land for a variety of activities including tramping, rock climbing, abseiling, caving and running events as well as education for school groups. Awatiro is west of the Waitomo caves in the rich karst landscape. 
A sign at the gate announces …
On an idyllic spring day a van of grade 1 trampers under the guidance of Carol and Lyn crossed the Stubbs Family Farm beyond Waitomo to their 213 acre QE II trust reserve.
Small Max’s cave and Maungapahoe caves were viewed by some. The highlight after slips, slides, climbs and descents was walkin…
20 trampers (two missed out because of daylight savings and shall remain unnamed) set off to Taupo on a brisk morning. We arrived at the Aratiatia dam to see the mighty Waikato waters being set free. We ventured off to a more secluded spot for a different viewing but unfortunately there was not muc…
2 vans of intrepid trampers started off at the very reasonable time at 8.00am on the first day of spring, heading to the Woods Mill Track in the Mamaku range. One van was a bit late starting off due to a wonderful game of musical seats!, and we had a brief stop in Tirau before being off again.
…It was wet and windy winters morning when six hardy Wanderers grouped at the usual spot, picked up our seventh tramper at Ngahinapouri before heading out towards Kawhia. The van was buffeted around in the nasty weather, Colin did a great job staying on the winding roads in such atrocious conditions.
“Keith’s Tours” set off with 20 hardy souls, climbed into the vans and made our way to Jim Barnett Reserve for a night walk followed by Keith’s famous soup and our contributions to supper. Unfortunately, Keith was unable to make it but the soup did, so all was well. Pam and Anne set up the camp ki…
On a very foggy winter morning 13 trampers left Hamilton to travel to Lake Rotoiti in Rotorua. After morning tea, we started the walk from the edge of the lake. This was a lovely bush walk, the track was slightly undulating with a few tree roots, we saw all sorts of fungi and many different trees, t…
We set off in a thick fog which was to stay with us all day. As we discovered that the Nature Loop Walk was closed (possibly for repairs) we were able to spend more time on the Ruapane Trig track and climb higher than originally anticipated. Along the way we stopped for morning tea and then again …
There were only 5 of us (grade 3) on a cold and windy day with intermittent light misty rain, it was invigorating, so we kept moving, and we found a sheltered spot for lunch.
I have done this tramp several times and always enjoy it. It has so much good stuff going for it: close to home, access to a…