Wednesday Walkers

 

A walking group go on day walks within two hours driving from Oamaru each Wednesday.

 You are welcome to join us for the day and no membership is required.

Trip information can be sent to your email address by Tuesday, the day before the trip. If you wish to go on this email list please send your email address to northotagotmc@gmail.com stating your wish to be included in the mail out.

Unless otherwise notified trips will leave at 8-30 am each Wednesday from outside the  Towey  St. tennis courts,  Oamaru . You are  welcome to just turn up to be included in that days trip, though be aware that there is the very odd cancellation or time alteration.

See down further under Group Skills and Day Gear Checklist for some things to be aware of on the walk and a recommendation of what to bring.

View Map

Recent Walks

White Horse, Waimate

Wednesday 29 November 2023

 

Wandering the Papakaio Bike Track

Wednesday 29 November 2023

In glorious sunshine, 15 of us gathered at Gloria and Ian Hurst’s property at Papakaio to walk the bike track through their farm.
We enjoyed it immensely, admiring the many trees planted along the way. A young kauri looked extremely healthy. It was a pleasure to see how well some of the trees have grown, showing up clearly amongst the long grass. The flax was in full bloom too, though no tūīs spotted or heard.

The water lilies in the pond beside the track were also in flower.
The flat area near the Barrie’s road end  of the walk, is looking very well cared for and has a small building on it. It is lined inside with timber and has bench type seating against the walls.

The Hurst garden was very picturesque. Well cared for and with magnificent mature trees framing the Oamaru Stone homestead. It has had a huge facelift and an added part built on to the back, which is in keeping with the rest of the house. (The house renovations were featured in the newspaper a few months ago)
Some of us were treated to a tour of the house by Gloria.

Wanderers at Shag Point

Wednesday 22 November 2023

Seven of us enjoyed our day out which started by walking uphill on a very overgrown track up to the pine forest at the Shag Pt reserve.    Bart had done a bit of a recce so it was good to arrive at the “gate” where we had  planned,  since this was a new track for us.  En route to the Shag River beach, where we had lunch, we stopped at “the house with the grass roof”     
After lunch, and leaving the pine forest,  we walked up to the lookout and admired the view before wandering back to the cars.   
Interestingly, the beautiful flax flowers were out but we only saw one Tui and that was feeding near the pine forest.  In the forest, we could hear tuis, but for some reason they were absent when we came out of the forest.   No rain or thunderstorms!

Mt. Miserable

Wednesday 22 November 2023

Fourteen of us did the walk up Mount Miserable.
We started from near the end of Mt Misery Rd By some water tanks) and went across-country to a point near Red Hut, and then started a gradual ascent on a farm road which took us all the way to the summit.
On the way we managed to spot Prominent Peak, interesting only because it is so completely misnamed, down a big gully and only visible from one place.
We reached the summit at midday for lunch and enjoyed great views of Mt Fortune, Conical Peak, and Devil’s Elbow.
While the walk up had been quite hot in places,  the flat top of the mountain was pleasantly cool.  It was evident from the plant life that it would be a cold (miserable) place in winter.
The return journey was via the same route with a stop at Red Hut (supposedly over 100 years old) for an afternoon break before the final climb to our cars.
The day finished at the Kakanui Dairy with the usual ice creams.
Geoff K

Wanderers  on the A2O, Windsor to Rakis Tunnel

Nine of us enjoyed our “wander” to  and through Rakis tunnel and beyond.  The weather was perfect and the scenery a bonus with green looking hills and plenty of bright yellow broom with pine trees adding to the mixture.  We had a leisurely lunch on the Windsor side of the tunnel before our walk back to the cars, a return trip of 11ks overall.

Awakino Gorge Kurow Hill

Wednesday 15 November 2023

Windscreen wipers were on intermittently from Oamaru to Duntroon but quite suddenly there was almost completely clear sky ahead – yippee.
 
The group were 18 in total but the plan was a little different to the norm, in that there were two options starting from the same place – the Awakino Bridge on highway 83.  One involved wet feet for three hours in the Awakino gorge, before returning over Kurow Hill back to the cars.  
The other supposedly easier option was a direct route to the top of Kurow Hill and return via a slightly different track which passed the Kurow cemetery, dry feet all the way.
 
It’s appropriate to mention that the last time we attempted the gorge round trip in the opposite direction, after the severe up and over Kurow Hill we were faced with an impassable flooded river, which necessitated a long trudge right around the “hill” via the road.
 
In spite of those memories, the gorge group numbered 10, and there was no doubt that there would be success.  However, because of the more frequent weather “bombs” in recent years, negotiating the gorge has become a little more demanding than it once was, with lots of flood debris restricting the options, both in river and on the banks.  From the gorge to the hill – what a contrast – one hour of up!! – but we were spoilt just a little with a cool tail wind .  Then it was a scenic 3km gradual descent back to the cars.
 
This walk will hopefully always be there for us but may require some minor trimming from time to time in the future.
Bill B
PS.  Thankyou Geoff for leading the other group.
 
Geoff’s Report
 
Eight of us did a straightforward ascent of Kurow Hill from the Awakino river bridge on the state highway, with Geoff Korver leading.  There was a nice grassy farm track all the way to the summit which made for quite an easy pleasant walk to the trig for lunch and fine views of the valley.
We made the return trip via the Kurow cemetery and the A2O track.  This involved a steep downhill descent, and a good old northwesterly.
We covered around 14KM (depending on whose device you believe) and arrived back at our cars at 2.45pm.
And then the highlight we had all been looking forward to – ice creams at Kurow. A very satisfying day out.  
Geoff K

Wanderers on Dome Hills

Wednesday 8 November 2023

Dome Hills – Big Rock

8 November 2023

Weather: Heavy overcast, cool, with a south- easterly breeze.

Travel: 54km; 

Trampers: 15

Trip:  The entourage drove to Dome Hills via Ngapara, Tokarahi and Livingstone, picking up one at the bottom of the Livingstone pinch, and parked in the farmyard of Dome Hills Station. There was dampness in the air and threatening clouds to the west as the 15 trampers set off at 9.45am. We headed eastwards (where the sky looked brighter) through a gate out of the yard, then swung around to the south past a felled plantation and uphill through a gate into a lane which led along a plateau. Notable was the extensive damage caused by recent severe gales to pine trees on the hill above us and in a gully below. At the end of the lane we turned hard left to follow, initially, a fence heading north-east then a ridgeline running parallel to but well above the Awamoko Stream. We stayed up on the high ground and stopped on a rocky knob for morning tea. Refreshments taken, we continued to stay up high, rather than angling down towards the river as we had on a previous occasion, until we were almost opposite the track leading up from the Awamoko gully on to the spur with the Big Rock. We then found a 4wd track which led steeply down to the stream. The Awamoko itself offered no challenge, being crossed at a single bound.

Across the stream, the track went straight up the hill to a gate after which the terrain levelled out and led gently up to the Big Rock, only one small gully having to be crossed. As we headed towards Big Rock, we could see a line of figures on the ridge beyond – the Wanderers approaching from Balmoral Road. Both groups arrived at the Rock within minutes of 11.30. Some climbed the rock, others enjoyed the view from ground level. Photos taken, both groups set off across the flattish tops, swinging right away from the boundary fenceline to avoid a gully. This was a less direct route than on past trips, but provided fairly even going until, at around 12.45, we reached a dirt lane between two plantations, one of which had been felled and replanted only two years previously. The grassy bank beside the track provided a sheltered and comfortable place for lunch.

 After lunch, this track took us on to the Balmoral Road where the Wanderers had parked.  An hour down the road we came to the Balmoral Hut, clearly suffering from wind damage with its sagging verandah. Then it was uphill again, along a well-cut 4wd track which undulated across country in a westerly direction, past another felled forestry block, to climb around the head of the Awamoko and eventually on to McKenzie Road. It was then an easy half hour stroll down the road, some stopping to admire Molly’s tree, and back to the cars by 3.15pm to meet up with one participant who had got there some time previously in the front seat of a Wandering Ute, having earlier suffered a leg injury in the process of sitting down or standing up, or both, A debrief in the Fort Enfield completed a satisfying day, the weather having held, and the tramp having offered a variety of terrain and company.

Group Skills

We sometimes walk in places where it is easy to get lost, or fog comes in unexpectedly.
* Always follow the leaders instructions.  STAY WITH YOUR GROUP.
* Keep in view of someone with a two way radio. (Note that we carry several 2 way radios and also a Personal Locator Beacon for emergencies.)
* If you think you are lost or unsure where to go, eg. A fork in the track or reduced visibility such  as fog, STAY PUT. Make yourself visible with a bright article. Call out or blow your whistle. 09-9 First aid practise Someone will look for you.
* Always let someone know if you are going off the track eg. Toilet stop or photo shoot.
* Look behind frequently to keep the person behind you in view, and also to know where you have  walked in case you need to go back.
* The person who opens a gate should close it, or designate someone else who knows how, to do so.  Leave all gates as you find them.

Day Gear Check List

The following should be carried with you, no matter how nice the weather is when you leave. Day pack, boots, socks plus a dry pair in the vehicle, water/wind-proof coat with hood, over-trousers, shorts and long johns or long trousers, thermal singlet, shirt, warm jersey/jacket, gloves/mitts, warm hat, sun hat. NO COTTON OUTER GARMENTS PLEASE. This includes jeans as they contribute to hypothermia when wet. Sunglasses, lunch, snacks/emergency rations, full water bottle, sun block, first aid kit, toilet paper, torch, map, compass, whistle, survival sheet/bag, a bright piece of equipment or clothing. Optional  Gaiters, camera, walking sticks, spare clothes in the vehicle.

160 Wednesday  Walkers  Walks

If you have a walk you would like to do, please suggest it at next weeks walk.

ABC Caves

Altavady

Anderson Lagoon – Shag River

Ashlands Rd. – Kemp Rd. Katiki

Aviemore – Mt. Dryburgh

Awakino Ski Field

Awamoko Stream

Balmoral Huts

Ben Ledi

Ben Lomond

Ben Ohau

Benmore Walkway

Benmore Peak

Big Ben

Big Kuri Creek

Bike rides

Black Cap – Scout Hill

Bobbys Head – Pleasant River

Borland Lodge

Boundary Creek

Canyon Creek

Cave Hill

Central Otago Rail Trail

Chinamans Hut

Chinamans Cave

Clear Stream

Cone

Conical Peak

Deep Stream

Devils Bridge Cave

Devils Elbow

Doctors Point

Dome Hills

Domett Loop

Douglas (Rob & Sue)

Earthquakes

Elephant Hill

Evensdale Glen

Flannagans Pass

Fox Peak

Freehold Creek

Gentle Annie Hut

Gibson Farm Walk

Glenthorn Station

Gunns Bush

Golf Course, Waianakarua

Government Hill

Grampions

Gunns Bush

Hamilton Hill

Hampden / Moeraki

Hampden Township

Hillgrove Farm Walk

Herbert Forest

Heywards Point

Island Cliff

Island Stream Waterfall

Kakanui Peak

Kakanui – All Day Bay

Karitane Walkway

Kauru Hill – Fuchsia Creek

Kawairua  Station

Kettleholes, Omarama

Kurow Hill, Awakino Gorge

Kurinui Reserve

Lindis Pass / Dalrachney

Little Domett

Livingstone, Beaties Hill

Loman Run

Maerewhenua Gold Diggings

Moana Station

Moeraki Lighthouse

Moeraki walkway

Mopanui

Mt. Alexander

Mt. Alexander Loop

Mt. Bitterness

Mt Cargill

Mt Cook (Not the Summit)

Mt Dalgety

Mt. Dasher

Mt. David

Mt. Difficulty – Allan Rd

Mt Difficulty – Dasher

Mt. Difficulty – Hectors

Mt. Domett

Mt. Dryburgh

Mt. Evelyn

Mt. Fortune

Mt. Grayson

Mt Kirkliston

Mt. Kohurau

Mt Kyeburn

Mt. Mary, Trig J

Mt. Meyer

Mt Michael

Mt Milne

Mt. Miserable

Mt Nessing

Mt. Nimrod (Haka)

Mt Nimrod (East)

Mt Nobler

Mt. Obi

Mt Orr

Mt. Parker

Mt. Peel (Little)

Mt. Pisgah

Mt. Stalker

Mt Studholme

Mt. Sutton, Ohau

Mt Sutton, Waitangi

Mt. Trotter

Mts. Trotter & McKenzie

Mt. Watkin

Ngapara Farms Walk

Noondale Reserve

Oamaru Walkways

Obi, Mitchells Hut

Obi, Mt. Stalker

Obi, Shingle Creek

Orbell’s Cave

Otekaike Bridal Track

Otekaike Hill

Peel Forest

Pigeon Bush – Duncan Road

Pigeon Bush – South Peak

Pleasant River, Bobbys Head

Prominent Peak

Puketapu Hill

Pulpit Rock

Quail Burn

Raki’s Table / Tunnel

Raki’s, Belmont, Victoria Hills

Razorback

Rock & Pillars

Rosella Ridge, Silver Peaks

Roseneath

Round Yards circuit / gorge

Seacliff Reserve

Shag Point

Siberia Hill

Staircase Ridge

Station Peak

Stony Ridge

Suttons Face

Swampy, Leith saddle

Table Top via Wainak  Reserve

Table Top via Herbert Forest

Tapui Farm Walk

Te Huruhuru

Temple – North

Temple – South

The Hays

Timaru Walkways

Trotters Gorge Reserve

Trotters Gorge Trig L

Tokarahi Farmwalk

Waihao Walkway, Hotel circuit

Waimate Gorge

Waipiata

Weston Escarpment

White Horse

Woolshed Creek

Wainono Lagoon

Starting place is the Towey St Tennis Courts (see the  map at the top of this page) usually at 8-30 am  every Wednesday.