Trips Information
Club Trips and Activities November 2024 – March 2025
Dec 18-20 Canoe/Tramp Dave Scoullar / Esther Williams
Wed-Fri A rare chance to canoe the fabulous Whanganui River AND walk the historic Mangapurua Track on the same trip. Eight people are needed to make this event work so if you are looking for an adventure which last took place in 2011 this is for you. For more details refer to the August edition of the Tramper or contact one of the leaders by December 1st so canoe bookings and other arrangements can be made.
Mod Cost to be calculated
Dec 21 or 22 Tongariro River Trail Linda Hart
Sat or Sun The jolly fellow in the red suit hasn’t quite arrived yet but Linda is promising some pre-Christmas cheer on this popular mainly flat 14km loop track which winds along the serene Tongariro River through farmland and native bush.
Easy/mod Approx cost $38
Dec 28 or 29 Climb Hauhangatahi Trish Hopkins / Viv Dawson
Sat or Sun End 2024 in style with a climb up to the top of Hauhangatahi, that impressive peak at Erua. The club had a go earlier in the year but found the track overgrown and didn’t make it but Trish and Sally have it in their sights. Hauhungatahi, 1521m high, is an eroded volcano and is in a designated Wilderness Area hence the lack of signage. The views from the top are spectacular and worth the effort.
Fit Approx cost $26
Jan 5 Makairo Track Toby Ani
Sun Start 2025 with something that will be new to many of us. Toby introduced the Wednesday group to the Makairo Track near Mangatainoka in 2024 and is happy to return for further exploration. The bush track climbs steadily along a rarely used 4WD track which was linking backcountry Pahiatua with Coonoor. There are great views along the way.
Mod Cost to be calculated
Jan 7-9 Te Papakura o Taranaki Circuit Dave Scoullar
Tue-Thur Start and end at Dawson Falls. Day one take the RMT towards North Egmont but drop down the Puffer Track and overnight at Maketawa Hut. On day 2 take the lower track past Stratford Mountain House to Waingongoro Hut. Day 3 cruise back to Dawson Falls. Along the way travel well-formed tracks, see the new bridge, explore a cave, view a waterfall, drop into the Mountain House for a coffee and overnight in two comfy huts.
Mod Approx cost $29 + 2 huts at $25 each
Jan 11 or 12 Castle Rock Dave Taylor
Sat or Sun This is a fortress-like rocky outcrop situated along the Kaimanawa Forest Park walkway which is accessed from the Desert Rd. The poled route along the Army boundary rises steadily through tussock and beech forest. At a height of 1450m the rock formation is an excellent lunch spot with grand 360 degree views of the mountains and surrounding countryside. Boggy in places but generally a good track.
Mod Cost to be calculated
Jan 18 or 19 Branch Road Walkway Pam Phease
Sat or Sun This 6km scenic walkway follows the route of an abandoned country road that links the Pohangina village with Ridge Road. It offers native bush, pine plantations and farmland with extensive views of the valley below and to the Ruahine Ranges. Pam plans to go up and then back down the walkway and hopes that the cafe in the village will be open for coffee to end the trip.
Mod Approx cost $24
Jan 25 Mangawhio Lakes Shane Wilson
Sat This is a combined trip with the visiting Taumarunui Tramping Club. Basil Hooper will narrate the Waitotara
Valley to the entrance to the track. Shane will take over for the loop walk to the lakes and back around through
the pines. A lovely day out and very popular with club members.
Easy/mod Approx cost $13
Jan 25 Pot Luck Meal Dorothy Symes
Sat We will host the visiting Taumarunui Tramping Club with a pot luck meal at the Whanganui Boys and
Girls Gym Club, GF Moore Drive, Springvale. All welcome. 6 pm start.
Jan 26 Manawatu Gorge Track Dorothy Symes
Sun Dorothy and Bruce Thomas will show the TTC visitors over the iconic Manawatu Gorge Track which we visit many times but never tire of and hopefully we will be joined by members of our club. A chance also to check out progress on the new road and impressive new bridge.
Easy Approx cost $20
Jan 31-Feb 1 Taranaki Summit Kathy O’Donnell
Fri-Sat Anyone wanting to knock off the Taranaki maunga gets their chance with Kathy’s trip. She plans to leave at 5pm on the Friday and stay overnight at the Camp House, North Egmont, to get an early start on the Saturday morning for what is a demanding but ultimately rewarding climb. She would like to hear from starters as soon as possible so accommodation can be booked.
Fit Cost to be calculated
Feb 1 Wilkies Pools-Kapuni Lodge Shane Wilson
Sat This is a circuit from Dawson Falls, up the stream from Wilkies Pools to pick up a track to the lodge. Then back to Dawson Falls on the RMT. An interesting outing but we will have to look for an alternative if the stream is too full. This is a combined trip with Stratford Tramping Club.
Mod Approx cost $29
Feb 8 or 9 Kapiti Island Esther Williams
Sat or Sun With its amazing birdlife, visiting Kapiti is a magical experience. Final details were not known at Tramper deadline but full information will be available in the February magazine. In the meantime register your interest with Esther.
Easy Cost to be calculated
Feb 11-12 Rangi Hut-Mania Track Sally Gray / Toby Ani 022
Tues-Wed To take in the Rangi Hut-Mania Track circuit, Sally and Toby plan to head to the hut on the Tuesday, overnight there, then walk up to the top of the range and down the Mania track on the Wednesday. They will leave mid-late afternoon on Tuesday, have dinner somewhere on the way, then head up to Rangi Hut for the night. A driver is needed who is prepared to walk up to Rangi, overnight there and the following day collect the party at the end of the Mania Track. Note that this is a bookable hut.
Mod/fit Cost to be calculated
Feb 15 or 16 Tongariro Alpine Crossing Esther Williams
Sat or Sun A chance to achieve a summer crossing in a superb volcanic landscape. If half way is sufficient, we can ascend to the Red Crater. A 6-8 hour day.
Fit Approx cost $36 plus meal $. Driver required.
Feb 19-22 Tararua Circuit John Mellsop
Wed-Sat Following the successful Otaki River trip in February, John plans to return to Otaki hut via Waiopehu hut and a route along Oriwa ridge. The four-day trip will then follow the Otaki and Ohau rivers to complete the circuit. This trip will appeal to those who appreciate off track and river tramping.
Fit Approx cost $45 including hut fees
Feb 22 or 23 Rangiwahia Bush Reserve Viv Dawson / Denise Gordon
Sat or Sun Viv and Denise so enjoy visiting this 53ha reserve that they’re leading another trip back there to see it again. Discover this hidden stand of native virgin bush reserve in the historic settlement of Rangiwahia Village. There are some stunning viewpoints along the way and birdlife is plentiful at certain times of the year.
Easy Approx cost $22
March 1-2 Pine-pulling Esther Williams
Sat-Sun Sixty years ago the club began pulling wilding contorta pines in Tongariro National Park and after all these years we are still out there doing it! The trees are now much scarcer but the work still has to be done. Join this successful conservation project, wander parts of the park you would never otherwise visit, camp out in a beautiful grove of beech trees.
Mod Free