Twilight Hike – 10 February 2026

Tuesday, February 10th, 2026

This was the second twilight hike that we have held over the summer to promote the tramping club to the public. This hike started in the reserve at the end of Meon St and we had 8 members of the public and 7 tramping club members turn up.

The night was warm but overcast, with the odd spit of rain–but it wasn’t enough to damping the hike. We started off through the reserve and a walkway to Fernbrook Rd and around to the bottom of Buckley’s Hill. It was then up the hill on a well-maintained mowed track with great views over town the higher up you got.

At the top of the hill, it was then a bit of road walking around onto Reservoir Road with great views of the Kakanui Mountains and along to the Reservoir Mountain bike tracks. We spent about ¾ of an hour exploring the many tracks in the pine trees before retracing our steps back down Buckley’s Hill and back to the reserve at Meon St.

The walk was just over 2 hours and about 6km. Thanks to everyone that turned up to enjoy the night out, and it was good to meet some new people.

–Neville

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Little Kyeburn and Buster Diggings

Sunday, February 1st, 2026

Plan B of the Nobbler – Mt Alexander due to the gale force winds forecast.  Instead of cancelling the trip two full cars of us travelled up the Danesys Pass and found it was indeed blowing a gale at the top of the pass so alternate arrangements were made.  John recommended Little Kyebrun being relatively sheltered, and we drove down another hour to the end of the road at Little Kyeburn carpark area.  

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Cass Saddle & Lagoon Saddle 12th – 14th December 2025

Saturday, January 10th, 2026

Trip Report: Cass Saddle & Lagoon Saddle 12th – 14th December 2025

This is a deservedly popular tramp, easily accessible from SH 73, with options for an easy three-day hike staying at Cass Saddle and West Harper huts, or a two-day trip staying at Hamilton Hut. It takes 12-16 hours in total.

We were fortunate to have six trampers and two cars on this long-awaited club trip. Having two cars meant one car was parked at the Cass car park (now well off the road, through a gate by the DOC sign on SH 73, and around the corner) and the other car was parked up the Cora Lyn road near the Bealey Hut.

For those starting at the Bealey Hut end, Julian noted that you could stay Friday night at the Bealey Hut for an early start to Lagoon Saddle on Saturday.

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Next morning, leaving the hut at 8am, we were soon out into open tussock (poled route), climbing gently to Cass Saddle (1326m). From here the track descended steeply into Hamilton Creek bush, then on to the tussock flats leading to Hamilton Hut (3.5hrs) We decided to spend the night at the spacious Hamilton Hut (20 bunks), giving ourselves a good rest that afternoon, as we were not sure about the state of West Harper Hut further on. It also meant we would be joined by Julian and Lynette that evening, when they arrived in from Bealey Hut. They enjoyed their trip down the Harper River, stopping for picnics in the shade by the river. Hamilton Hut was busy with Te Araroa walkers, weekend trampers from Christchurch, as well as fishermen and 4WD drivers dropping in from the lower Harper River. Robbie, Julian and Lynette had plenty of tent sites to choose from, with a watchful, knowing kea for company.

Aware we had a big day ahead on Sunday, we were up at 5.30am and away by 6.15, with Julian and Lynette heading up to Cass Saddle, and our group crossing swing bridges on the way up the Harper. We were curious to check out historic West Harper Hut (2 hrs) and found sacking bunks had been covered with tight fitting plastic, so were comfortable enough. The hut is full of character, and I’d recommend it for an overnight stay. Then on up the beautiful Harper River to Lagoon Saddle Shelter for lunch at 12 noon. From here it was a short sidle above Lagoon Saddle, where the view opened dramatically, giving us magnificent views of Arthur’s Pass peaks and the Waimakariri.

Then it was all down-hill, on a rather boggy track around Mt Bruce until we reached a beech/pine forest where we zigzagged down, reaching Bealey Hut by 2.30pm to find Robbie waiting for us. It had been a long 8 hour day for the ladies (Robbie, Julian and Lynette were much quicker!), but Robbie had already swapped cars with Julian, so we could head straight home.

Thanks to a great, fun team; always ready for a challenge and eager to explore new territory.

Jenny Kitchin

Ahuriri-Dingleburn

Friday, December 12th, 2025

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“ Four intrepid trampers left Oamaru at 7am on Saturday morning, 15th November, to drive to Omarama and then up the Ahurriri Valley to park at the start of the old cattle track up to the top of the ridge. The drive up the valley was uneventful, until we reached the largest and widest stream channel crossing the road. The road ended at a bank, where the last heavy rain event had washed the road away. An investigation on foot found where vehicles had wound their way down stream, and then wound their way around rocks and stream channels to emerge on the far side. Low ratio gear engaged, and we slowly our way through, then carried on to the car park which was just before Base Hut.

Twilight Walk: Oamaru Foreshore – 3 November 2025

Thursday, November 20th, 2025

Seven of us met at 6.30pm on a beautiful evening for a 2 hr walk around town, taking in some of our amazing scenery.

We started off at Medway St car park behind the Council building and headed off through Takaro Park, across the main road into Cross St, around to Eden St, and into the Glen Warren Reserve. From there we took the track up to the native bush area of the Warren Reserve and out on to the Skyline walkway, with great views over town and the Kakanui Mountains beyond.

We then dropped off the skyline walkway onto Derwent St, then onto Ouse St, back across the main road, and then down to the bottom of Orwell St.

With low tide being at 8.30pm, and it now being 7.30pm, we dropped down onto the Oamaru foreshore. We could see a clear path down the beach towards the Oamaru harbour, but with the shingle being quite loose up high, we had to walk on the firm shingle by the water edge–having to dodge a few waves every now and then. It was a lovely walk down the beach, but the Council has made a big rock wall all the way down to try and protect Oamaru from the sea and erosion.

As we got down near the Oamaru creek, and with the sun setting on the Harbour area, we climbed back up and out over the swing bridge near the old freezing works, through Harbour St gardens, and along the walkway under Thames St bridge. It was then over the stepping stones on the Oamaru creek back near the Council building, and back to the car park.

All up we covered about 5.6 km in just under 2hrs, on a nice warm evening and a hike with a bit of everything. Thanks to everyone that turned up and for the great company again.

–Neville

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