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…
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…