This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 95 No.10 November 2023
Eastern Walkway westwards E
Wednesday 20th September 2023
Five brave trampers gathered at Seatoun on a grey Wednesday, with clouds scudding furiously over a menacing harbour.
Weather reports predicted northerly gales and it looked like this would be true.
We climbed up a short ridge in the Oruati Reserve, previously known as Fort Dorset Recreational Reserve.
The gusty breeze at our backs fortified us and we plodded on upwards. At the top, spectacular views of Breaker Bay awaited. As we inspected Kupe's canoe monument, we were all quite blown away with the scenery.
Continuing on across the Pass of Branda, a welcome stop was made for morning tea in the sheltered pine forest. A dry undulating track led us westwards to a pleasantly relaxed lunch stop, sitting on a seat high above Eve Bay. Yellow broom flowers added a splash of colour to the scene.
Then it was time to 'Eve' ourselves up, and our sextet pressed on towards the airport.
We emerged in the suburban heights of Strathmore, where we waited for a bus to take us back to town. It was probably just as well we experienced a fairly sheltered 8 km walk, for if the wind had been stronger, we might have been in dire Straits. (AB)
- Party members
- Alan Benge (leader and scribe), Hadley and Anne Bond, Jean Morgan, Peter Nixon, Kerry Popplewell