This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 96, no 3, April 2024
Plimmerton/Pukerua Bay loop via the coast M
Wednesday 13 March 2024
Wednesday’s medium tramp was an old favourite, but done in reverse – the Plimmerton/Pukerua Bay loop, initially via the coast and then cutting back on inland trails.
After meeting at the Plimmerton Railway Station, an intrepid group of 12 set off at 9.50 a.m. and walked along Moana Road, past the Hongoeka Marae, to Rewarewa Point. As we neared the point, we requested the last local householder to call the SPCA to report on an injured gull nearby that had its left wing all but severed at its shoulder - hopefully the gull met a fitting end.
We continued on and trekked the rugged Wairaka Walkway for 10 kilometres to the Wairaka Headland at Pukerua Bay, negotiating the rocks, stones and shingle banks of this coastal foreshore with great care.
This environment was exhilarating – steep slopes, maritime debris, animal carcasses and air filled with gull calls. High tide was at 12.30 p.m., which meant that our final push around the headland’s rocky outcrop resulted in boots drenched by sea water, and wet clothing.
Four of our number felt uncomfortable negotiating these tricky rocks in such conditions and sought an alternative route straight up the slope – 236m. Thank heavens for cell phones as we remained in touch and sought to rendezvous at a later point. As the ‘mountaineers’ summited we waved to each other as we stood at the pou, at the headland.
Our smaller team lunched in a public picnic area before ascending the nearby ‘Goat Track’ that took us to our inland route (via Rawhiti Road, then on to the Ara Harakeke, before diverting at Whenua Tapu on to Taua Tapu Track). Due to timing issues, the ‘mountaineers’ suggested meeting up toward the Plimmerton end of the trip.
At the Karehana Bay Scenic Reserve, as we descended 303 steps, we met the ‘mountaineers’ - meaning we all safely returned via Moana Road to our starting place. Our tramp took a little over 5.5 hours. The photos show the rugged environment we were immersed in.
- Party members
- Alistair Beckett (leader and scribe), Joan Basher, Linda Beckett, Jane Dobbie, Carolyn Jenkins, Mary Kane Jane-Pyar Mautner, Mary Perkins, Peter Smith, Helena Weller-Chew, Glynn Woodbury.