This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 79 No. 11, December 2007
Matiu/Somes Island
Saturday 17th November
On Saturday 17th November, 14 of us caught the midday ferry from Queens Wharf to Matiu/ Somes. We were met by Jo the Ranger and given a briefing on the island. We were then shown our accommodation - we had the use of a house and three motel units. The rest of the day was spent exploring the island and enjoying the birdlife. It was nesting season for the Southern Blackbacked gulls, which were busily sitting on or guarding their nests, some of which were on the ground, so we could see the eggs (one nest was on the roof of our house). Kakariki were also plentiful. We enjoyed a shared BBQ evening meal as we watched the sun set behind Wellington hills. A Cook Strait giant weta and a resident Tuatara were seen by most in the group. After dark we ventured out with the children and torches to watch little blue penguins making their way up onto the island to their nests.
The following day saw more brilliant weather, and we wandered down to meet the family group who were doing a day trip to the island. We caught the 1.20pm ferry back to Wellington, concluding a very enjoyable weekend away from, but not out of sight of, the city.
- Party members
- Manuel Betz, Colleen Davey, Julia Fraser, Helen Hanify, Dianne Hill, Warwick Hill, Callum Stewart, Gregory Stewart, Tina Stewart, Jenny Shepard, Gavin Scott, Vicki Wogan, Terence Wright and Alan Wright (trip leader and scribe)