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
Roseneath
Wednesday 22 March 2023
Blairgowrie
15 March 2023
It was a heavy drizzle when 16 walkers left Towey Street at 8-30am, but improved slightly as we drove inland. Even though it stayed slightly damp all day and the anticipated views didn’t eventuate, it was a pleasant walk, interspersed with some good climbs to keep us fit.
We met Jane at the starting point who took our group photo and pointed us in the right direction.
We headed along a ridge for a start, before crossing a steep gully to arrive at a hut with a nice view of a patch of native bush, where we paused for morning tea. This hut was not there when we last did the walk this way, so it was a nice supprise.
We then followed the boundary, crossing several gullies and negotiating a large and noisy, but friendly herd of cows and calves. Climbing to the high point of the walk, we stopped for a leisurely lunch. The views were not great but we could see Black Cap and Mole hill just below the cloud line. We did spot some wild deer in the neighbour’s property though.
Continuing across rolling tussock land we circled round on to a well formed farm track, along which we were escorted by a, this time, quiet group of heifers. After passing the cattle yards, we walked down the road to the cars, arriving just before 2-30pm, an 11k walk.
Everyone decided to check out the new owners of Fort Enfield on the way home, who made us welcome with drinks and chips. We must have behaved ourselves reasonably well, because they invited us to “come again”.
Ross
Wanderers @ Hursts, Papakaio
Wednesday 15 March 2023
9 Wanderers wandered around the winding, whirling, well worn walking track. We often wondered if this walk would have wain? Well it did wain but not too wet for our well worn wain coats! Electric wires are wonderful but wicked if your pack gets wedged in it and gives you a wierd feeling😳
W’s aside, we had a great 10km walk in about
2 1/2 hours. (2 had pre planned shorter walk)
Marion
Waiho Wakway Circuit
Wednesday 8 March 2023
Wanderers @ Waianakarua River Mouth
9 March 2023
no images were found
Kaiwarua Station
Wednesday 3rd March 2023
Weather: Fine and warm, light northerly breeze.
Travel: 81km
Trampers: 10
Trip: The 81 km drive in was a mixture of flat, sealed roads and a hilly, winding gravel section. We parked in the Kaiwarua Station yard opposite the woolshed and said good morning to Mark who was preparing a tractor for harrowing a newly sown block. A few minutes after 10am we set off through the yards to turn right on to the 4wd track which is the Old Kaiwarua Road. We followed this for some four kilometres over a shallow saddle and down to where it crosses the north branch of the Waihao River. It was now after 11 o’clock so morning tea was taken on the north bank (true right) of the river.
Smoko over, we set out heading up the true right of the river, climbing over a low spur to avoid a bluff, and we were soon crossing and recrossing as the river wound its way through the hills. After almost 1 ½ hours of this, we came to a pool that looked like a good spot for a swim. Six plunged into the clear, cool water and enjoyed a leisurely swim while the rest spectated. It was then lunch.
After lunch, we crossed the river above the pool and skirted around on a terrace above the true right to avoid some rocky territory. That proved to be a big mistake, as after some easy bush bashing we found ourselves on a 4WD track which cut across a grassy flat rather than following the river. Despite advice that the track would lead away from the river and not come back in contact with it, two faster walkers took off along it. They were followed by six others which left only the leader and one other to return to the intended route around the river. These two came across some more swimming pools, including one remembered from previous visits which offered over 50 metres of swimmable water. However, because they knew the main group would be well ahead, they decided not to have another swim. After about an hour, the two groups reunited and followed the track as it climbed and sidled through a small gorge above which the stock bridge crossing the river could be seen. The track continued above the river and bridge, to turn left through a gate and climb steeply over a low saddle to join the Old Kaiwarua Road. From there it was a walk of a few hundred metres back to the sheepyards and the cars which were reached shortly after 4pm.
It had been an unsatisfactory day as a trip that was intended to be two-thirds river and one-third 4WD track/road ended up being the reverse. Compared with previous visits, when most participants had had two or (in 2019) even three swims, we only had one and the best pools were by-passed. For future reference, it is best to stick to the true left as much as possible as this reduces the temptation to take short cuts. John
Wanderers: Duntroon A20 to Maori Rock Drawings
Wednesday 3 March 2023
no images were found
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.