2025-11-12 < Weekly activities > 2025-11-26
Activity summary: Wednesday 2025 November 19 to Tuesday 2025 November 25
Maupuia – Miramar/Mākara Ōpau Circuit/Gollans Stream – Lowry/Waiohine Gorge – Omega/Waterfall Hut Ruahine Range
Wednesday
E Trip ‘Maupuia/Miramar’ led by Jean Morgan, Wed 19/11 4M
The group met at the entrance to Mapuia/Miramar Rd. for an up and down walk to Shelly Bay, Massey Memorial, the Prison with the wonderful gardens and Centennial Park down to Darlington Rd and then to catch a bus home. On the way we stopped for coffee at the Chocolate Fish Café before it closes. The weather was very pleasant after a damp start so a pleasant walk was had by all.
EM Trip ‘Mākara Ōpau Circuit’ led by Mary Perkins, Wed 19/11 13M + 1NM
Our group completed the Mākara Ōpau Circuit. Despite the weather forecast being grim it turned out to be amazing. No wind, warm with wonderful cloud formations. We had great views along the coast and well as the South Island. The walk includes brush walking, farmland and coastal beach.
M Trip ‘Gollans Stream – Lowry’ led by Leonore Hoke, Wed 19/11 11M
We set off from Kowhai Street to Butterfly Creek on an overcast grey morning, anticipating rain. Mary left us at the picnic area and ten of us continued, negotiating the wet bush and all the different twists and turns of Gollans Stream. Moving upstream we came across lots of smelly bait stations in need of cleaning, battled with supple jack, dense kiekie stands, windfall and countless river crossings. Reaching the S-bend and the short cut across it took longer than anticipated by the leader. We had lunch there at the fire pits, still no rain, all of us wet but not cold! No need for a fire. Unfortunately, one in the party slipped and twisted her foot just before the S-bend, still managing to walk. The decision was made by all of us to walk out along an easier and quicker route , rather than continue further upstream into the headwaters of Gollans Stream and up to Mt Lowry. We took a spur just north of the S-bend leading us up to the Days Bay loop track and came down the gentler Kereru Track to Days Bay. Two opted for the quicker and steeper Kereru track.
We were on the move for 6 ½ hours covering nearly 14km. Not a bad day for Gollans Stream Part 1, Part 2 up to Mt Lowry and back along the tops is yet to come. The whole trip as planned originally would have taken us 8-9 hours.
Ann McIIroy, Joan Basher, Carolyn Jenkins, Helen Beaglehole, John Dement, Penny Hoy-Mack, Tim Stone, Diane Munster, Lynne White and Mary Kane, Leonore Hoke leader.
F Trip ‘Waiohine Gorge – Omega’ to have been led by Lynne White, Wed 19/11
“An early start, a poor weather forecast and a long walk reduced potential participants to the leader and one other. The thought of possible river crossings with just the two of us made me decide to postpone this tramp until a fine summer’s day – no excuses!”
Weekend:
MF Trip ‘Waterfall Hut Ruahine Range’ led by Sarah White, Fri 21 – 23/11 4M
Four members enjoyed an energetic tramp in sunny weather to Waterfall Hut in the Ruahines. Our route took us from the Waipawa Road end, over a couple of ridges and down Smiths Stream to Smiths Stream Hut. From there we climbed steeply for 1000m to point A6G4, then along to point 1673 before shooting down a shingle slide into Rangi Creek and on to Waterfall Hut. A merry time was had over stream cooled G&Ts and a three course meal. On Sunday we made our way back up Rangi Creek before peeling off into the bush and crossing Rangi Saddle and on to Waikamaka Hut, Waipawa Saddle then all the way down the Waipawa River back to our vehicle.
Total 32 members and 1 non member