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Sunday 9 May                     Ngaruawahia                               Grade 2

Trip # 1114 - Hakarimata Southern Loop​       Revised 1 May

Grade1: Walk from Brownlee Rd carpark to a point where you will view the old quarry and Ngaruawahia countryside. Its a short walk back to the main track to the start of the steps and view a large kauri tree, then back to the carpark and into the van for a short ride to the Waingaro Rd carpark and a walk along the old tram line to a waterfall and lunch spot.

Grade2: Walk from Brownlee Rd carpark up the many steps to the top where you will head North a short way to the lookout for views over the Waikato countryside. It is then a 1.5 - 2hr walk along a newly repaired track to the Waingaro Rd end, hopefully to meet up with the G1s for lunch.

Grade2+: Same as the G2s except you will walk up the steep quarry track to the top and then a 20min walk in a Southerly direction to the lookout.

Depart:	8am
Return:	2-3pm approx
Cost:	$25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders:	Grant, Ron and Roger.
Bookings:	Open	Monday 26 April @ 6pm
	Contact	Emma Juggins
	Phone/txt	027 612 6228
	Email	jugginsemma@gmail.com

 

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Sunday 23 May                        Waihi                                       Grade 2

Trip # 1139 – Two Mines and a Bunch of (Strawberry) Trees

Many of you will know this as the Strawberry Tree walk, however in mid-April there appeared to be few berries on the dogwood trees at the old village site. Of more interest are the 2 mine sites and other relics, as well as a likelihood of many amanita toadstools.

We drive almost to Waihi, and then head northwards. The walk starts across farmland, and initially rises about 200m up a farm road, which we will take steadily for about half an hour. After that there will be no climbing until after lunch, except for those that wish to descend into the stream bed to see the remains of the Maoriland mine. Walking is on an old mining road. Lunch will be at the strawberry trees, and points of interest include an enormous pine tree and a weta cave.

After lunch we climb another 50m or so, still on the mining road, and then turn right onto another road that goes up a gentle ridge through pines where there are usually many amanita toadstools. We then have the choice of turning right to return to the vans, or left to visit the Jubilee mine, where the main point of interest is a large steam boiler, half buried in the ground, looking a bit like a submarine in the water. (This a steep 70m deep scramble on a marked but unformed track.)

Depart:	8am
Return:	6pm approx
Cost:	$25.00 (members)  $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders:	Ray & friends
Bookings	Open	Monday 10 May @ 6pm
Contact	Ray Hoare	Phone/Txt 021 170 0713 Email ray.hoare.nz@gmail.com

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Sunday 6 June                      Pirongia                        Grades 1 & 2+

Trip # 1140 – Wilsons Clearing/Bell Track

  The WTC last did this tramp in 2013. We will drive to Limeworks Loop Road and park in the Kaniwhaniwha Reserve carpark, and then the two groups will walk up the Nikau Track alongside the Kaniwhaniwha Stream.

The G2+s then head onto and up a marked route, crossing the Blue Bill Stream to where the clearing was once farmed. The route then follows a fence line to a point where the bush starts again and the route heads down to intersect the Bell Track and back out to the vans. Expect to walk 6 Hours.

The G1s will walk the Bell Track to the caves and the tall Kahikatea tree, and beyond if time allows.

Depart:	7.30am
Return:	4pm approx
Cost:	$25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders:	G2+ Grant & Co   G1 TBA
Bookings	Open Monday 24 May @ 6pm
Contact	Grant Svendsen     Phone/txt  021 047 6518     Email gsveny@gmail.com

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Sunday 20 June                     Rotorua                     Grades 1 & 2

Trip # 1141 – Lake Okataina Cruise and Walk

This will be a great day.  Three hours walking for the G1’s and 4+ hours for the G2’s.  We start the day with a boat trip from Okataina Lodge wharf. For one hour we will cruise the lake.  A guide will inform us of stories and history of the lake.

We will alight at the south end of the lake.  The Grade 2 group will leave us to walk to Humphries Bay and possibly beyond.

After a lunch stop we will return to the van walking through bush on the east side of the lake. Mostly flat with glimpses of water through the trees.

Please note the closing date for bookings is Wednesday 16 June and payment to be made at time of booking. First week will be priority bookings for Wanderers club members then club visitors and friends bookings will be accepted.

Depart:	7.30am
Return:	6pm approx
Cost:	Members - Boat trip $45 + Van $25 = Total cost  $70 Non-Members - Boat trip $45 + Van $30 = Total cost  $75
	Full payment to be made at the time of booking Payment to Colin Standing (Treasurer) Bank a/c  03 0306 0208429 000 Put your name as reference
Leaders:	Pam & friends
Bookings	Open	Sunday 23 May @ 6pm
	Close	Wednesday 16 June
Contact	Colin Standing	Phone  07 855 1335   Txt 021 253 1105
	Email	standings@xtra.co.nz

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Sunday 4 July                            Rotorua                                  Grade 1

Trip # 1142 – Lakes Okareka & Tikitapu (Blue Lake)

Today we will venture to Rotorua and go around the Tarawera Road to Lake Okareka where we will stop for morning tea by the lake.

Then we will travel a little further to do the Lake Okareka outlet walk and return (approx 2 ¼ hours)

Next on to the Blue Lake where we will walk around it in a clockwise direction returning on the lovely lower track (dependent on lake level).

Two nice walks with very little hill work.  

Depart:	7.30am
Return:	6pm approx
Cost:	$25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders:	Keith, Dianne & Pam
Bookings:	Open	Monday 21 June @ 6pm
Contact	Keith Wilkinson	Phone 07 847 4399   Phone/txt 027 366 6194

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Sunday 18 July                       Papamoa                               Grade 1+

Trip # 1143 Summerhill Rec Park

Summerhill has many kilometres of amazing scenic walking trails through varied terrain including pasture, forests and native bush. From the carpark, we will start with a ridgeline walk through farmland to the Pa site in the adjoining Papamoa Hills Regional Park.  Once at the trig point, if the weather is clear, we will have amazing 360-degree views over the countryside right down to Whakatane, all of Mount Maunganui and Tauranga and the Kaimais!

This is not a long walk but there are definite hills to climb!  Bring wet weather gear if it looks like rain as there is no shelter at all and if windy can also be chilly.

After our walk those who wish to can have a hot swim at the Welcome Bay Hot Pools. Bring extra money, your togs and a towel plus some warm clothes for afterwards. Cold drinks, snacks and ice-creams can also be purchased from the kiosk at the pools.

Depart:	7.30am
Return:	6pm
Cost:	$25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
	Extra cost for swimming at pools :Adults: $11  Seniors: $7
Leader:	Brenda
Bookings	Open	Monday 5 July at 6pm
Contact	Brenda Petersen	Txt 0273 117 372 Email Brenda22269@hotmail.com

 

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Sunday 1 August           Maratoto/Thames        Grades 1+ & 2+

Trip # 1144A Waiomu Kauri Grove Walk – Thames - Grade 1+

We are making our way to the Waiomu reserve around the Firth of Thames for a shared morning tea.  So, bring a plate to share and your own drinks. From here it is a short drive and if the gods are with us a good parking spot, if not a bit of a walk on a gravel road to start of track.

The track starts with a ford crossing so possibly wet feet at this time of year, then onto the beautiful track into regenerating bush.  Other than the ford all crossings are now bridged. 

We have a couple of diversions to investigate on the way back so bring a torch.  The main track in the forest becomes more luxuriant and diverse.  There is 10 minute  hill climb (steps) further up the ridge which takes you to a stand of mature kauri, they are magnificent .  Walking time approx. 3 hours.  On the way home we will have an ice cream if we have time, so bring extra money .

Trip # 1144B Wires Track - Grade 2+

The Wires Track gained its name for the telegraph line that was constructed along the route in 1872 with remnants still to be seen. The tramp today starts at the carpark at the end of the unsealed Wires Road and continues up the Whangamata Off Road Vehicle Track to the junction of the Wires Track.

Time permitting, we will walk on to view the 12 hp Ruston and Proctor portable steam engine on the old sawmill site. After lunch we will descend the Wires Track through bush on steps cut large enough for a pack-horse for the route to Whangamata. Further down we can take a short track down to see a waterfall on the Hamuti stream.

Actual plans on the day may vary to suit weather conditions.  Expect to walk about 6 hours including lunch and stops.

Depart:	7.30am
Return:	6pm approx
Cost:	$25.00 (members)   $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders:	G1+	Dianne, Keith and friends
	G2+	Colin Standing and friends
Bookings	Open	Monday 19 July @ 6pm
Contact	Dianne Lee	Phone/Txt  027 272 6617 Email  leedi444@gmail.com

 

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Sunday 15 August                        Huntly                                  Grade 2

Trip # 1145 – Parker Rd/North Hakarimata

This track is at the Northern end of the Hakarimata range. There are a lot of steps, and an elevation gain of up to 250m, but you get to see a 1000 year old Kauri, a grove of rickers, and several nice views. This part of our day we will spin out till lunch time. After lunch we will drive to one of the other short walks in the Huntly area – Taupiri Mountain, the Scientific Reserve, or one of the lakes.

We start with a 10 to 20 minute climb up steps, to gain 60m elevation in 400m horizontal. We can get a view there, and then take the right-hand fork to walk to the kauri. At this point there is a planting of labelled native species, where we will stop for an education break.  From here there are flat sections, and a short climb through some bush and lots of scrub. 20 minutes gets us to the 1000 years old Kauri, that has a 7m circumference.  A bit further on are more Kauri, and a nice resting spot.

Steps begin again here, to climb 140m up to the upper lookout. This will take us about a half to one hour, through Nikau forest to a great viewpoint, looking north up the Waikato valley. We will not be rushing it, but we will have deserved our morning tea at this point.

Those who wish can then start on the tramping track up to the Southern Lookout, 700m along and 50m higher, where we look out to the south Waikato valley. (About an hour return.) The rest can enjoy their view a bit longer or start down the hill.

We return via the rest of the loop track, much steeper but all downhill on a very well formed path (with steps!). Very fine Nikau forest is seen on the way.  We will probably have lunch at a lookout near the junction where we meet up with our original track.   Check the website closer to the day to find out which of the afternoon options we will select.

Depart:	8am
Return:	4pm approx
Cost:	$25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders:	Ray and Ron
Bookings	Open	Monday 2 August @ 6pm
Contact	Ray Hoare	Phone/txt 021 170 0713
	Email	ray.hoare.nz@gmail.com

 

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Sunday 29 August Mangatarata Grades 1 & 2

Trip # 1146 - Hapuakohe North Walkway ​     

The vans will head along SH27 to North Road where we will park at the end of the road and the start of the track. The first part of the walk is on private land along a farm track to a fence line where the two groups will start a climb up through a pine plantation to the bush edge, once in the bush the track is well marked.

There are two lookout points along the track, the first (G1) 1h.30m and the second (G2) 3h. We will return the way we came.

If time allows we can stop for a coffee at the Native Tree Cafe on the corner of SH27 and North Road.­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Depart:	7.30am
Return:	6pm
Cost:	$25.00 (members) $30.00 (non-members)
Leaders:	Grade 2 - Grant & Co     Grade 1 - TBA
Bookings:	Open	Monday 16 August @ 6pm
Contact	Keith Wilkinson	Phone   07 847 4399 Phone/txt 027 366 6194

 

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Trip meeting place

We meet at the Community living Centre carpark, near the corner of Collingwood and Tristram Sts. Click on the map below to see details

Trip Grades

Grade 1 (easy) On fairly level formed tracks 4+ hours

Grade 2 (moderate) 5-6 hours on less well-formed tracks, possibly with off-track sections, river crossings and short steep bits

Grade 3 (fit) Can be over 6 hours and have any of the following: partly off-track, river crossings, steep hills, or snow.

Template for leaders to describe an upcoming trip

Click here to download a Word document that will help you to describe your proposed trip - you will find it in you Downloads folder