Otago Peninsula

Sunday 28th April 2019

 

Record breaking numbers of walkers turned out for Otago Peninsula day trip. On a cool Autumn morning 16 people gathered at the car park on Highcliff Road in Dunedin. The overhead conditions were perfect for the spectacular views that followed.

From the Hunter farm a downhill followed by the usual uphill to an old farm shed was the warm up for the day. Sidling around from the shed gave access to our first of many great views of the Otago Harbour, Port Chalmers, Taiaroa Head and Aramoana to name a few. A loop back up to the road below Larnarch Castle led us to the farm shed and return to the ridge leading down to Smith Creek Wetlands, where extensive native replanting continues.  Another workout uphill back to Highcliff Road followed and then led us to yet another climb to the summit of Harbour Cone.  The views kept coming, out to the East where the large Hoopers and Papanui Inlets could be seen.  While taking a lunch break on top of Harbour Cone we continued to locate more landmarks up and down the coast.

 

With bodies fuelled up we returned part way down the track then turned off to follow across undulating farm land, passing some amazing old stone fences ( A work of art no less) back to the cars. A short drive to the Sandymount carpark and we were on our way for the next walk and views of the coastline. The track started with an avenue lined with magnificent old macrocarpa trees and emerged on to a short side track and platform to view the Chasm, a stunning drop off the cliffs.

The track then led to another platform overlooking Lover’s Leap, another spectacular view of a tunnel where the sea rushes in.

 

The last section for the day was up the sand dunes path to Sandymount trig and then back down to the cars. The walking was over before 3pm but the cafe at Portobello welcomed us with some great friendly service doing the drinks and eats to finish the day relaxing with more chatting.

Thanks to all for supporting the club programme.

Bill, Bronwyn, Mike, Vicky, Robbie, Joe, Dave, Bev, Chris, Jac, Roz, Julian, Shirley, Marion, and Phyllis.

Maurice.