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

Next Weeks Walk

Hawkesbury Lagoon-Huriawa

Wednesday 28 September 2022

Recent Walks

Totara Estate to Clark’s Mill

21st Sept 2022

On a day which was mostly cloudy and cool (ie ideal tramping weather) 32 Wednesday Walkers and, at times, up to 5 Wanderers explored a new route over largely familiar teritory.
After a bit of car relocation down to our destination we set off from Totara Estate to climb Sebastapol (Brydone Monument) where Jane G showed a good turn of speed to get herself into a group photo.
Down reasonably steeply from the top in a south easterly direction to Fortification Rd, where we headed south to Springfield Rd. A short distance east along this road took us to the stunning homestead and garden belonging to Jock and Helen Webster where we had been invited to visit, and there we had our morning tea – supplemented with fresh home baked scones! Would be hard to top this as a morning tea spot – thank you Jock and Helen.
Next back west along to 239 Springfield Rd – the property of Chris Bischopps who owns the majority of a long escarpment that goes right through to Teschemakers Rd. This was new walking teritory for all of us – we had seen it, and wondered what was up there, but not been on it. A gentle climb up the access road with parts of an old railway line to our right. We soon came to the remains of an early agricultural lime quarry with some buildings in reasonable order, and the need for a railway connecting to the main trunk line now obvious. Further up the road is a wonderful canyon with steep rock walls both sides, and then on to rocky limestone country with great views. A bit of a clamber over a beautiful old stone wall took us into the property of Rebecca McKeown – still on the escarpment and still with great views and rock formations. Also a top lunch spot.
Out from the escarpment along a RoW to Teschemakers Rd where we headed west to Taipo Rd, and down to Taipo Hill. About half the group chose to climb the hill – the rest took a short cut to the bank of the Kakanui River and waited patiently for the others to rejoin us.
From here we kept mostly close to the river and west across farmland (McCabes and Smiths) to Clarks Flour Mill. Here John and Keith took us for an informative tour of the mill – and what a remarkable process this was, with amazing woodwork and other heritage machinery producing a quality product, using a system basically the same as that used today. 
Total distance walked about 14 km. Drinks at Maheno of course.
 
David McKenzie 

Gunn’s Bush and Kelcey’s Bush

Wednesday 14 September 2022

With no set place to go, there was a general discussion at Towey Street, before it was decided to go to Gunn’s and Kelcey’s Bush. So 15 headed north with a stop at the Waimate loo’s for some. A bit of communication was needed to establish where everyone was, before we all ended up at Gunns Bush about 9-45am. A 15 minute walk took us to the big tree glen for morning tea.

After a leisurely break in the sun we headed up the slightly muddy track, before climbing 60m to the high point of the track. It was then back down to the Creek, winding our way through the lush bush to another glen a short distance from the cars, where we stopped for lunch.

14 then drove to Kelcey’s Bush car park. and as it was just a short walk, many left their packs in the car. There are several creek crossings on this walk, but those who got their feet wet said the water was surprisingly warm. All Kelcey’s Bush is regrowth, after logging and the great Waimate Bush Fire of 1878, which burnt many houses, injured some people and came within a short distance of Waimate Town. A lot of mistletoe was seen growing in the trackside bushes.

Upon reaching the weir, we retraced our steps to the side track, climbing up to a lookout of the valley and s small waterfall. It was almost 3pm before we arrived back at our cars, but we still had plenty of time to stop for an ice-cream in Waimate.

Several had not done these walks before and everyone enjoyed the leisurely day in the South Canterbury remnant bush.
Ross

 

Dave’s Memorial Walk, Hillgrove Moeraki

Wednesday 6 September 2022

      Leaving Towey St. Oamaru with 17, we added another 5 at Maheno. We then travelled to Hillgrove to park in Ken and Jan Wheeler’s front paddock with  Jan then joining the group, now 23, to assist with leading our walk.

From the house we headed up the farm track to the right until reaching the top of the hill. From there it was a left turn and on along the ridge, until veering downhill and crossing over a couple of little streams before having a morning tea break at the base of the plantation, where we have stopped on previous walks.

From there we continued southwest and up through the end of the plantation and down and up another couple of hills until heading down towards the main road and the underpass on Nimmo’s  property.

From here it was a case of following the main railway line down towards the sea.  On the way we passed by a small shed and sheep yards before skirting the Waimataitai Lagoon.

Lunch was enjoyed nestled down in the tussocks by the beach. Two of our group saw a young sea lion relaxing not too far away on the sand, no doubt wondering what these strange objects were doing.

Retracing our steps back to the underpass, there was some discussion as to what the blue object sitting on a post on a little island in the middle of the lagoon was.  Luckily the landowner came past on his quad bike and was able to solve the mystery. It was a feeder for duck shooting, prepared by a local person. 

We returned through the underpass and up onto the first ridge, then north, basically parallel to the main road until reaching the cars.

Approx 16 kms walk, with the weather being very calm considering what the  previous  2 days had been.

We really appreciated having Jan Wheeler with us as we were both able to add a few stories and memories of various happenings.

Bev.

 

Tapui Homestead Farm Walk

31-8-22

Seventeen walkers drove out to Tapui and picked up two more at the start of Tapui Homestead Road, parking in the farm yard.
We walked up the farm track into a gentle NW wind, before turning down towards the Kakanui River for our favourite morning tea lookout at the hut. It was then back to the track, heading NW with expansive views of the Kakanui and St Mary mountains. Recollections of peaks climbed, still to be climbed or not wanting to climb, were discussed. The bull paddock at the end of the race was successfully avoided and we emerged on to Davidsons Road, the highest point of our walk.

A 1k walk down the road took us to the gate into the next farm and with the wind at our backs we walked across rolling paddocks before descending to our sunny lunch spot.
Continuing eastwards we negotiated the second bull paddock before the bulls realized we were there, climbing through the boundary fence into my old farm. It was getting quite warm by now so the hills were taken with plenty of stops to admire the view, before descending to Slaty Creek. The usual crossing was flooded due to a new dam having been formed during the July floods, so  we crossed further upstream and emerged onto the Tapui Homestead Road. It was then a gradual climb up the road, back to our starting point.
A 14+k walk with plenty of variety and enjoyment.
Ross

Kurow Hill and  Awakino Gorge

24.8.22

Arriving in Kurow with 18 Wed Walkers and a forecast with gale force northerlies, thoughts of climbing Kurow Hill, via the ridge overlooking Awakino Gorge, dwindled. Instead a modified trip was planned. Heading west along the A2O for a km or more, we hung a left on a 4wd track and continued up to the small saddle that leads to the main Kurow Hill track. Smoko was in a sheltered spot before the final push to the saddle. The northerly had pick up quite considerably on the saddle where 5 walkers returned the way we had come, while the rest of us carefully, very carefully, with the strong wind at our backs, sidled the narrow track to join the main track 200-300 metres along the steep face. From there it was an easy descent back to the cars.

Now what?….. up to the Awakino Gorge. From the picnic/parking area we walked a kilometre or so up the track to the first crossing. Here,we lunched in a comparatively sheltered area. No thoughts of crossing the river today as snowmelt meant the river was too high and too fast for safety.   

Still early as we arrived back at the gorge entrance, so a suggestion to visit the Borton’s Pond (near Dovey’s Rd) irrigation inlet was met with approval. Another 2-3 km walk to explore this attractive area was added to our walk, bringing the total for the day to 8-9km. 

All enjoyed this alternative walk and to end the day, a debriefing at the icecream shop in Kurow.   Margie 

.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.