On this Sunday morning 16 keen trampers met for the trip across to Papamoa for the Summerhills Park tramp. Despite the appalling weather the day before, it looked like we would get most of the day in before the rain which was forecast for the afternoon.
The Summerhills park was very well set up w…
Two vans and a car left Hamilton at 7.30am and headed towards Rotorua. First stop for morning tea was beside picturesque misty Lake Okareka, where we were briefed on the day ahead. We all climbed aboard the vans again and drove a few minutes up the road to start the Okareka Walkway excursion. It …
Wilson Clearing/Bell Track – G2
Two vans of Wanderers, down in numbers due to the inclement weather, set off to the Limeworks Loop Road and the Kaniwaniwha Reserve Carpark. Leaving the G1’s, eight of us G2’s headed off walking beside the Kaniwaniwha Stream on the Nikau Track. After crossing a…
Bell Track – G1
After a very early morning tea in the carpark seven of us set off in high spirits for a good day in the bush. As we got close to the forest we were overtaken on the track by two people with seven very excited but well behaved dogs.
Once on the Bell Track we headed for the…
There were 9 members aboard the van for this close-to-home trip, and two visitors were going to join us at the Ngaruawahia car park. Then the fun began. The bulletin described one trip, but an email had been circulated describing three options. Who would go where? We all went up the track that led t…
Getting up early Anzac day is something most of us will have done, but while I couldn't go to the local dawn service I listened to the broadcast on National Radio of the service held at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park as I ate my breakfast.
On arrival at the carpark I was greeted like a lo…
I led this group of 20 people on a loop track that I had done many times before, hoping this time to see the legendary drunk tuis feasting on fermented dogwood fruit at the site of a long disappeared mining village. Carol confirmed to us all at the start of our trip that she had seen this sight befo…
A full van of 12 set off from Hamilton with a forecast of rain ahead, but luckily when we reached Tairua the sky was clear.
We set off up a pretty steep hill in good spirits, and with the humidity at about 105% we were soon feeling the heat, with some of us leaking as much liquid out as we could …
There were 9 keen trampers for this trip. Rain had been forecast but we were fortunate, it was a beautiful autumn day, very hot and humid at times. After the usual morning tea, we set off with enthusiasm up the Water Race Track. It wasn't an easy climb but we walked slowly and steadily and it was no…
We set off with a full van of Wanderers on a beautiful day and made our way to the valley via the Swamp Road. At the DOC information centre, we viewed a film on the history of kauri milling in the valley during the late 19th/early 20th century. This made us appreciate the location of our tramp …
On a perfect mild mid-February day 26 trampers, under Diane’s expert guidance, headed along the picturesque rocky, river- flanked track and old carriageway to explore well-preserved relics of this 1899-1901 promising gold operation. We were 7 kms north of Whangamata, and 3 kms down a forestry road.…
The weather had been fine and warm for the survey and it would have been lovely if that had been so on the Sunday. We could have enjoyed the sun, as well as the art work and cafes. But it was not to be - it was mostly rain coat weather. However, it was an interesting day, though completely different…
10 trampers signed on for this tramp. The day started overcast/possibility of a shower.
Arriving at the Te Tuhi Road end about 08:25, the group was ready and off at 08:45. The track started on the farm road and after a few electric fence crossings and styles, entered lush farmland that was undulati…
9 trampers left Hamilton at 7.30am and headed to Wairere Falls under a moody sky.
After morning tea in the car park we set off at a very leisurely pace, enjoying the birdsong and bush. We soon encountered lots of huge moss-covered boulders, tree roots and rocks and we took our time to safely na…
I had heard stories about the new Te Whare Okioki, and wanted to see it for myself. I had heard it was about 3 hours walk from several entry points to the Kaimais, so proposed going in up the Te Tuhi track, about an hour’s drive from Hamilton. I knew the first hour or so up that track was steep, bu…
The trail started at the railway station, passing along Harris Street through Bledisloe Park for a lazy morning tea in Samuel Miller Reserve.
Continuing on through quiet roads with many fine new properties, the trail headed towards Pukekohe Hill but diverted to miss the steepish push to the top. …
6 eager trampers set off on a chilly morning for the sand dunes of Port Waikato. A brief period of rain didn't dampen our spirits and we enjoyed the scenic portion of the new Taupiri Expressway that we had previously walked during its formation.
Our first stop at Port Waikato was for morning te…
Three vans and their drivers, were waiting, in readiness for the drive to Otanewainuku. Because of the Corona Virus, the trampers were required to wear masks and the seating was arranged with social distancing, so there were less people in each van
On arrival, the G2s set off as soon as possible,…
20 trampers left Hamilton at 7.30am for the 16km Coast to Coast walk, picking up an extra tramper in Auckland.
We set off from Fort Street and headed up hill (which was to be the theme for the day), to Albert Park where we had morning tea.
Cutting through the University of Auckland campus …
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…