This article was first published in Tararua Tramper in May 2025
Puke Ariki Traverse-Dry Creek To Oakleigh Street
SF - Wednesday 26 March 2025
A Marchant – Block XIV trip was advertised but because of my concern about being able to handle a 10-hour day, I opted for a more manageable adventure ... well, that was the plan.
We took the train to Manor Park where we met a young man who, having seen Paul McCredie’s film We don’t always have ice cream, was a little starstruck upon encountering a TTC Wednesday group. We started our walk at the Dry Creek car park, heading up Boulder Hill. The day started misty but cleared to great walking weather. We stopped for morning tea in the sun and enjoyed the views to the north. Along the way Peter picked some healthy-looking mushrooms for his dinner and Tim treated us to a few songs.
We walked towards Cannons Head and up to Belmont Trig, with stunning views of Kāpiti and Mana Islands, and south down the Hutt Valley and across to Wellington harbour.
As we headed down from Belmont Trig it seemed we needed a bit more excitement in our day. The TTC approach to life emerged as we decided to take a detour down a track that turned out not to be Bills Track and actually not even a track. We walked, scrambled and free- styled for about two hours, reappearing on the main track not far from where we left it. Sometimes, things don’t go as expected butit seems that for TTC that’s the essence of tramping. We don't always have ice cream. Not every walk is sweet; there are moments of discomfort, surprise and frustration but that is what turns a standard SF Wednesday walk into a bit of an adventure. Once we were back on the main track, I pointed out to my group that, for most people, heading off down Not-Bills track is not normal behaviour. Their grins told me they quite like being not normal.
Due to the temporary closure of the Cornish Street entrance to Korokoro Forks (they’re installing a new bridge), we had to adjust our route and walked out via the Oakleigh Street entrance. A little tired by this time, we trudged off down through the Maungaraki streets on a beautiful calm evening to Petone Station where David and Peter had left their cars – thank goodness!
Five walkers covered 30.7 km, with 1,300 metres of elevation gain, taking 10 hours and 30 minutes. A great day out, with some unexpected moments, but well worth it for the stunning views, the fun, and the shared experience. (S K)
Samantha Kenny (leader and scribe), Joan Basher, David McNabb, Peter Smith, Tim Stone