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

Starting at the usual McCulloch’s bridge parking area on the Waihao River Walkway we headed off anticlockwise via the bridge and up to a gate leading onto farmland and the much admired, but never before visited, limestone outcrops area.
With prior permission to explore, and a recce done we headed up through long grass to a man made large hole in the rock which had been described as a Maori tunnel oven, but on close inspection was generally agreed to be an early settler lime kiln, complete with a chimney hole up through the rock.
On through the grass and around the largest (huge) limestone outcrop with stunning vertical splits and vegetation on top including many cabbage trees. Nice morning tea spot looking straight at this outcrop.
There is a proposal to create a cycleway through this area which will give much easier access to all of the large family of outcrops on offer.
So out to the road and around the block to the Waihao Forks Pub for lunch and drinks and bowls of chips.
More road work around to black hole and down river along the walkway.
17 walkers (Julie on baby-watch for first grandchild) in great sunny warm weather. About 13km.
 
David 

 

Wanderers @ Waianakarua River Mouth

9 March 2023

Wanderers: did somewhat more than ‘wander’ – ~9.4km, turning out to be a real workout with the most amazing panoramic views in a very clear atmosphere.
 
12 turned out, with 3 doing a less demanding wander. Fortunately we were on the downhill discovery when the temperature really turned up.
A big thanks to Anthea for all her organisation, directing and encouragement! 
Also to Dr Judge for allowing us to discover his wonderful retreat area, and showing us his developments so far, plus a hiding molting yellow eyed penguin. 
As well, thanks to Van Leeuwen’s for access where necessary .
 

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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

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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.