This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 94, no 10, November 2022
Baring Head lighthouse E
21 September 2022
The location: a carpark on a cold spring day near the concrete bridge along Wainuiomata Coast road. The goal: to complete a pleasant rural scramble up to the Baring Head lighthouse. The cast: seven keen trampers stamping their feet trying to keep warm.
There should have been nine trampers. Two others could not come. They had been left stranded at Wellington railway station, victims of Metlink's erratic cancellation system.
Those of us who did make it crossed the bridge. Our walk started along a well-sealed farm road, leading upwards to green pastures atop a hill. A large number of curious sheep watched us. Recently born lambs dashed to their mothers for a drink, tails wagging furiously. Ewe had to be there to see it.
On the ridge, we enjoyed panoramic views of Cook Strait and the rugged Wellington South Coast. A self-timer group photo produced an unusual action picture. It showed the leader running to join the group, but not quite making it in time.
An early lunch followed at Baring Head, where we found a sheltered spot amongst the boulders near the historic lighthouse. Building restoration is coming on well. Afterwards, we climbed up to a nearby trig, descending before the southerly hit us with sleety rain.
Then, with wind and rain at our backs, we followed the rocky trail alongside the river, stopping at the old pumphouse for a snack en route. But it was necessary to keep our legs pumping. Weather was deteriorating fast and our group scampered back to the carpark, somewhat soaked. So ended a bracing spring walk in a spectacular coastal environment.
- Party members
- Diana Barnes, Alan Benge (leader and scribe), Anne Bond, David Campbell, Michele Dickson, Margaret Foden, Kerry Popplewell.