Trips Information
Club Trips and Activities November 2024 – March 2025
Nov 9 or 10 Burn Hut for Lunch Trish Hopkins
Sat or Sun Trish will lead a trip to Burn Hut, a hut tucked in the western Tararua and reached from the Mangahao dams road. The club has a history of sometimes not getting to this hut but Trish usually meets her more challenging goals, even if it’s not always at first shot. And if you’re wondering where is Trish’s usual tramping partner, Sally Gray, unfortunately, she’ll be down south at this time.
Mod/fit Approx cost $26
Nov 14-17 Whareroa Long Weekend Mike Miller
Thurs-Sun Once again Mike has generously allowed us to spend a few days at his holiday house at Whareroa on western Lake Taupo. We will spend our time doing day walks in the area with plenty to choose from. If you want a relaxing time in this delightful lakeside village, sign on quickly! Numbers are limited.
Easy/mod Cost to be calculated
Nov 16 Stanton Memorial Toby Ani
Sat Toby pioneered a new route to the Stanton Memorial in Tongariro National Park for the Wednesday group and is now happy to do it again on a weekend trip. Return from the memorial rock on the usual route making this a round trip with stunning vistas. The Taumarunui Tramping Club is invited to join us.
Mod/fit Approx cost $33
Nov 23 Marton Sash and Door Erwin Scott / Dorothy Symes
Sat Scheduled to run last June but rained out, this track at National Park is a longtime favourite, a mainly flat circuit with interesting timber industry relics and a real sense of history. We will invite the Taumarunui Tramping Club to join us.
Mod Approx cost $28
Nov 26 Weekend Trips Think Tank Dave Scoullar
March/April/May will come under the microscope at this weekend trips meeting at
7 Wairere Rd at 7.30pm. Ideas and new leaders wanted to keep our tramping programme fresh and interesting. Can’t come? Phone in your ideas. Autumn is a great time to tramp so let’s come up with some great tramps!
Nov 30 Blyth Hut Circuit Peter Waugh
Sat Join the two Petes for a great day out in Tongariro National Park. Waimarino-based member Peter Finucane has taken us on this circuit a number of times. From the Blyth Hut carpark we will go to the hut, then on beyond to circle around to the old Blyth hut site and back through the bush to the car park. An interesting wander which retains its popularity.
Mod Approx cost $25
Dec 7-8 Taumarunui Weekend Dave Scoullar
Sat-Sun Our annual two days with the Taumarunui Tramping Club. On Saturday there is a farm walk at Lairdvale, an easy 10km four-hour loop up onto a high ridge around the top of the Lairdvale Valley near Taumarunui. Return early afternoon and move to Kakahi for the night at MiCamp Ruapehu with the usual BBQ with TTC, and an option to also drive / walk through the glow-worm grotto to the Whakapapa River. On Sunday we will do a walkabout of this small but interesting historical township with locals. If there is time we will go to the
42 Traverse for tramway and bush walks. Always a top weekend.
Easy/mod Cost to be calculated. Accommodation $45.
Dec 7 or 8 Lunch at Blue Range Hut Johnny Channon
Sat or Sun Blue Range Hut is a quirky old four-bunk hut in the eastern Tararua, painted blue and surrounded by interesting signage. It is reached from Kiriwhakapapa, first through a stand of redwood trees and then up a steadily rising track. This trip is rescheduled from August when it was rained out and the track should be less muddy at this time of the year.
Mod/fit Approx cost $36
Dec 10-14 Matemateaonga Track Peter Waugh / Anne Condon
Tues-Sat There have been a number of expeditions over this track lately but now it’s back by popular demand. A 40km mostly flat walk over five days with overnight stops in four huts and a jet boat ride thrown in. What’s not to like! Get in quick as numbers may be limited.
Mod Cost to be calculated
Dec 14-15 Tuakira Trig from Atene Laurel Stowell / Rozy Rawlinson
Sat-Sun Laurel and Rozy will lead a tramp to the Tuakira trig from the Atene Skyline Track. The plan is to leave about 3pm on the Saturday and camp at the Atene shelter which is a 2.5 hr walk in. On the Sunday the team will follow a ridge to the trig on an unmarked route (done previously by Harold Stimpson). It will be about 5-6 hr to the trig and then about 1.5 hr out to the road at the top of the Parihauhau Valley where we will be collected. This trip has been moved from Nov 30-Dec 1.
Mod/fit Cost to be calculated
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