After quite a bit of fiddling around to adjust the seats in one of the vehicles we made a bit more room in the back for our packs. Finally, we were off to Te Kuiti for the walk in the Mangaokewa reserve. It was a bit overcast but no wind and a pleasant temperature.
The grade 1’s set off along the…
A keen van load of walkers (trampers) set off for Huntly and a walk around our first lake Weavers Lake (Lake Puketirini). As it was a short drive to Huntly, and we had only just had breakfast we were advised to take our packs and morning tea with us. There was to be a short uphill climb just so we c…
We set off toward Auckland in two cars on a day of dubious weather and with our fingers tightly crossed. On one side there was blue sky and the other was very dark and ominous clouds. So, we kept looking out one side only.
Once at the carpark in Totara Park near the Botanical Gardens, we had a quic…
What do you think of when you are in the Mighty Waikato? Probably the Māori thought of “flowing water” flashes out of your mind. The meaning of Waikato River is an iconic representation of the people in Waikato Region. A step onto the river walk, Te Awa River Trail, was today’s venture in Ngaruawahi…
Sunday 12th March Redwoods Walk
Grade 1: Pohaturoa Walking Trail
We arrived at the visitor centre car park at the end of Nursery Road, about 9 am and had our morning tea. Sunny but noticeably chillier than Hamilton; several people added a layer. At 9.30 we started walking along the edge of the…
Tapakanga Regional Park
26th February 2023
Another figment of our imagination!
The trip was changed as a music festival was going to be held at this location and they were expecting thousands of people to attend. We were going to go and walk the Waharau Ridge track instead. Unfortunately, i…
Tui Mine – Te Aroha Sunday 9 October 2022
Meeting at the carpark as usual and we were ready to set off. After a count of the numbers, it was found too many bodies and not enough seats. Glenys kindly offered to use her own c…
Karakariki reserve April 10th 2023
We had a beautiful autumn day for our tramp in the Karakariki reserve. A small group set off in two cars with Carol and Colin as our drivers. We were joined on the trip by Etienne who is doing a study of tramping for people as they age.
We drove west out o…
Pirongia Sunday 28 August
After morning tea in the carpark eleven of us set off in high spirits on a beautiful morning for a day in the bush. The track into the nikau loop walk and caves is becoming more attractive with the maturing native trees and shrubs along the way.
Upon reaching …
It was the start of Daylight Savings and luckily with good information received from Colin Standing, everyone turned out at the correct time, and no one was left behind. There were approximately 20 people keen on today’s Grade 1 tramp at TECT Park, about 26 km from Tauranga along Pye’s Pa Road, SH …
A van and a car load of us headed off to the BOP in drizzly weather, hoping that it may improve once over the hill. The plan was changed from going up or around the Mount, (due to the track around being reported to be closed), so instead we were heading to walk the Daisy Hardwick track around the ha…
There were just 6 trampers who turned up for this trip, and, to be honest, it was pleasant walking with such a small group for a change. Our leader led us successfully on the David Thorn Loop Track and then on to the Mangakirkiri Loop Track. Walking on the first Loop we could see for miles, with ext…
A van and a car with 17 trampers aboard left Hamilton and headed towards Raglan on a cold damp morning, stopping at the Bridal Veil Falls carpark for a toilet stop, and then onto the quarry carpark, the start of the trail. Here we split into 2 groups, a G1 & G2.
There were 7 in the G2 group who too…
On a day of torrential downpours, the Pukekos thought their territory was safe from humans. They were most upset when just on dusk, cars appeared at Innes Common. The BBQ area was taken over and they were chased away. Food? This may not be so bad after all.
About 20 Wanderers attired in parka…
After morning tea at Gilmore Reserve 19 trampers set off from this starting point to walk around Black Hill. The track followed the edge of the Ohinemuri River where a number of our group broke off to climb Black Hill while the remaining members completed the full circuit of the hill. We all met b…
On Sunday 19th June, 15 trampers headed out in vans to Rotorua. The weather provided the occasional drizzle and a very cold wind coming off Blue Lake, but thankfully no heavy rain.
We had morning tea, with a small briefing about where we were going and what to take etc. Then we headed off (with P…
One full van left Hamilton with Keith behind the wheel. After arriving in Katikati, we turned right onto the winding, narrow road marked Thompsons Track. The views were impressive as we drove upwards, leaving the avocado orchards behind us, the road turning to gravel for the last few kms. The last p…
Our walk began at the end of Franklin Road, which is reached by turning right shortly before the end of the Karangahake Gorge road. We initially followed a track through farmland until we reached the bush entry, enjoying a pleasant but cool breeze.
Kauri trees were quickly obvious along the edg…
We set out on a Grade 3 walk with 17km ahead of us, with the option of a one-hour side trip to the trig and many up and down grades to cover. Tony Dickens was the leader and Ron Clarke was the tail end Charlie.
The Grade 1 team walked down the same track for two hours and then returned to the v…