This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 96, no 6 July 2024
Oriental Bay to Island Bay and Lyall Bay M
Wednesday 1 May 2024
Thirteen members of the Club commenced the hike which started from the harbour foreshore at Waitangi Park and traversed hills, valleys and parks in a meandering route to the south coast. We zigzagged across Mt Victoria and the ridge to Mt Albert, crossed the valley to Tawatawa Reserve, followed the ridge to Frobisher Street Reserve, onward to Oku Street Reserve, and down to Shorland Park at Island Bay.
With black clouds threatening, several of the party took early departures en route as we neared bus routes. Of those who reached Shorland Park, some had bold intentions of following the coast to Houghton Bay, climbing the valley through Sinclair Park, crossing the ridge to Lyall Bay and continuing on to Kilbirnie, or even back to Oriental Bay if the weather held. However, with rain starting and black clouds casting a gloomy outlook, the temptation of a waiting bus at Shorland Park prompted a change of heart and we ended the hike there, after five hours and about 11 kilometres. The full circuit will have to wait for another day.
A feature of the trip was the abundance of bird song in the bush along the edges of the ridge between Mt Victoria and Mt Albert. Tūī and pīwakawaka seemed to be in abundance. A group of four kākā also provided entertainment. There were delightful views of the south coast from the Tawatawa, Frobisher Street and Oku Street reserves.
- Party members
- Bob Buckle (leader), John Allard, Alistair Beckett, Linda Beckett, Christine Ben-Tovim, Helen Gray, Andy Leslie, Rachel Fry, Peter Morten, Bryan Royds, Peter Smith, Angela Vanderpoel, Helena Weller-Chew.