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
Matanaka/Karitane
31.5.23
Wanderers @ Shag Point
1 May 2023
19 of us had an enjoyable day in the Shag Pt area. Entering the pine forest, we had morning tea, then proceeded to a lovely little beach (near the outlet of the Shag River), which a member of our group named “Wanderers Beach”. We had lunch at the “house in the middle of nowhere” then did some exploring. As we moved further into the forest, we discovered that it wasn’t easy to find an alternative route down to the Shag River.
Marawhenua Gold Sluicings
24-5-23
Bill
A DAY WITH THE WANDERERS
Wednesday 24 May 2023
I opened my eyes – it was a quarter to eight.
To go Wednesday Walking, I could be too late!
I made an effort, and rushed about,
But had to concede when time ran out.
A quick call to Jane to ask if I may
Go with the Wanderers on this sunny day.
“Of course”, she said, “you’ll be most welcome”
And in that extra hour I could continue to waken.
Sixteen keen folks drove out to Ridge Road,
To walk Jane’s old farm in wandering mode.
Morning tea stop was at the gravel pit,
Where there were large macrocarpa logs on which to sit.
Then over paddocks with lush green pasture,
And along the side of a crop of Chou Mollier.
A herd of cattle was moved by a guy on a quad bike,
So out of our way, and in peace we could hike.
The peaks of the Kakanuis stood crisp and clear,
With a touch of snow in the chilly air.
Jane named them all from right to left –
Te Kohurau, Pisgah, Ben Ledi and the rest.
Lunch on the roadside, then three returned to the cars
While the rest proceeded further for another half hour,
Admiring the views of the distant hills.
A lovely walk, enjoyed by all.
Christine S
Timaru Walkway – Inland
Wednesday 17 May 2023
Boundary Creek
Wednesday 3 May 2023
Boundary Creek Road Rosebery Road, cave and aqueduct
Leaving Towey st. at 9am as only a short distance to drive north to boundary creek road where cars were parked around the corner on a grassy area. With 21 walkers and a very calm mild day we headed up the gravel road as far as the rifle range . From here a decision had to be made as to which way the paper road was , it appeared to be up to the left and then right into a paddock following a track west. In hindsight we should have gone right at the rifle range, but I had said that this trip was also an adventure. Morning tea was by some trees. Continuing on we came across the entrance of one of the water tunnels part of the original water race built in 1880 to bring water down to the Oamaru Borough. Thanks Chris, who with local knowledge pointed this out. Knowing the direction we needed to go, we headed through a paddock of Lucerne, then down into a gully , then up a gentle incline and out thru a gate onto Roseberry road.
We continued to the end of this gravel road to Colin G’s house where we sat in the sun on the side of the road to have lunch and take in the magnificent views both north and south. Colin had happily agreed to show our group the cave that the Chinese had lived in during the building of the water race; he and his son had found it a few months prior. Three trampers travelled in his ute about one and half Kms across the paddocks, the rest of us walking.
From the top of the hill it was all down hill literally, through a couple of fences then down the hill pushing through the gorse and under growth to view the almost hidden entrance to the cave , which could accommodate about 4 or 5 of us . No wonder it has been so difficult to find. Just along from the cave was one of the 19 aqueducts which carried the water , amazing engineering considering it was all built by hand at a cost to the local council of 136 pounds. The race functioned for 103 years. From here we pushed and slid down the rest of the slope to come out by limestone caves on the other side.
From here it was down the gully east wards to finally meet up with Boundary creek road just below the rifle range and then back to the cars near the main road. It was now about 3.30pm and 14kms had been covered.
This was a relativity new area for a large number of the trampers out today and a grateful thanks to both Plunkets and Colin and Scott G for allowing us access.
Bev.
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. 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.