Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
Mid-week recreational and social walking group based in Mosgiel NZ
Post linked to Info Post
16. 8/11/2023. Trampers. Mt Hyde. Grade 3.5. $7. 24km. Leaders: Anne Ward, Di Bezett, Lyn KeeneNovember 2023 Update: Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
Hi everyone,
Running a bit late with this, but following our birthday party and AGM, a bit has been happening so here goes. Firstly ….
Welcome
Who needs marketing teams to drum up business when our reputation for visiting interesting places and walking, talking, drinking coffee and eating ice-cream is out there. So welcome to Carolyn Pridham, Heather Reid, Chris Bezett, Val Cayford, Katrina McKenzie, Lenore Armstrong, Wendy Langley, Sylvie Watt, Adrienne Ensor, Vivienne Manning, Karon Read and Jenny Wilton. We are enjoying your company.
Photo Show for 35th Birthday Celebrations
After a bit of experimentation and playing around with options Ross has placed these photos on his YouTube site and these can be accessed at https://youtube/004hkDp4xt4. On your smart device/TV they can happily be displayed to add background to a romantic dinner or showing others that we have not aged down through the years or…..
Summer Trip Programme
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and for the teams putting the programme together. The programme is presented in two ways on the website.
Fuel costs have been adjusted for the summer programme and a reminder that the club will reimburse a driver for doing a recce where the fare is $10.00 and over per person times 3 = $30.00. An email to the Secretary ([email protected]) confirming the recce was done and the date will be sufficient for the reimbursement to be arranged.
There are some trips where a grading is not shown, this can be due to a variety of reasons, maybe a first time, or the exact details are not finalised until the recce is complete and the leader provides a confirmed grade for the weekly email.
One of the actions being undertaken by the Webteam is to build a master spreadsheet of all the tracks that we use/ have used. We intend to add to this list the grading of the track as well as when the walk was last undertaken. This spreadsheet will have multiple benefits, not the least being having one master rather than multiple lists to comb through when compiling upcoming trip programmes.
We have also made some small changes to the Grading document to emphasise that we are grading the track, not fitness. The grading of a track is the same regardless of which group is undertaking it. To assist in getting track profiles completed, feedback on gradings is always welcome and could be included in the feedback when write ups are completed etc.
With the ongoing changes to the contact list of members the Committee has agreed that a hard copy will not be kept with the locator beacon bag; members (and Committee) can download a copy onto their phones.
Webteam
The team met recently to review how they are operating and to discuss detail, which happily most of us don’t see, but which is critical to the functioning of the team and maintenance of the website. The eagle eyed amongst you may notice some subtle changes. Subsequently myself, Jenni Wright and John Gardiner joined the team.
It was agreed that
It was also agreed that a fourth web team member be added to the team to give more flexibility and that also we identify a back up for the Communications Officer especially in the more detailed areas of the website administration. If anyone is interested in assisting in these roles, please contact/ discuss with Ross Davies.
Kelvin Heights
Arrive Sunday 25 February 2024 – depart Friday 1 March 2024
Just a reminder to pencil this in and detail will follow in due course. This will focus on walks with no biking organised this time. Contact Anne at [email protected] if you require more information at this time.
Xmas Lunch and Walks 13th December
Pencil this one in, to be held at the North Taieri Church Hall. More information shortly. Note the first walk in 2024 is on the 17th January 2024.
Track Clearing
A separate note will follow very shortly but as mentioned the aim is to continue the work of Neil Morrison and Arthur Heenan by taking a working bee approach under the umbrella of the Green Hut Group. I have met with Arthur, Neil and Graeme Elliott from the Green Hut Group to confirm how we could assist and under what terms and conditions, as the Green Hut Group has formal arrangements with DCC and DOC. All we need now is volunteers!
Thanks everyone and looking forward to a warm dryish summer of walking.
Phil Keene 5 November
Link to President’s Update information Library for previous updates
23. 1/10/2023. Combined. Green Hut Site and Pulpit Rock. Tramp Grade 4, Hike Grade 2. 43km. Leaders: Neil Hodgkin/Chris Bezett, Dave Roberts/Jay Devlin.
Hike to Green Hut (which is now two seats as the hut was deconstructed in 1988 because of ongoing vandalism).
On a foggy morning 18 keen hikers regathered at the On the Spot garage at Waitati where we turned left up a dusty road to the beginning Continue reading “Green Hut, Pulpit Rock”
Distance from PJP car park 48km.
Middlemarch Area – Information and Trips Library
3. 25/10/2023. Trampers. Cairn Valley/Shannon, Grade 3, 48km. Leaders: Heather Kirk, Diane Paterson.
Lovely sunshine greeted 30 keen trampers for a good day’s walk on Cairnvalley Farm Shannon. Strath Taieri offers something different in scenery with tussock hills, huge rock formations and at this time of the year fresh green vistas of paddocks and Continue reading “Shannons Farm Walk”
Outram 10 km / Henley 21 km – from car park.
Outram, Allanton, Floodbanks, Lee Stream, Traquair, Whare Creek – Information and Trips Library
4. 25/10/2023. Hikers. Outram Loop. Grade 1.5, 11km, Leaders: Sue Nichol, Kathryn Fagg.
Outram turned on another scorcher for 16 hikers. We started at the West Taieri Rugby Club and walked around Kings Court and Anzac Court subdivisions where the gardens were in full bloom. Continue reading “Outram – Allanton Flood Bank”
17 km from car park.
St Clair, St Kilda, Kew, Corstorphine, Ocean Grove, Tomahawk – Information and Trips Library
Nineteen hikers left Marlow Park in sunny conditions at about 0930 after singing happy birthday to Liz Griffin and walked over the Kettle Park Sports field and up a track to the Barnes Lookout.No. 47 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Toko Beach. M Young”; also No. 65 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Chrystalls Beach Farm”. Location: 59 km from the car park. Best in Summer. The stock winter over.
Directions: On SH1, before Milton, at Helensbrook intersection, left onto Forsyth Road, right onto Back Road, left onto Glenledi Road.
Chrystalls Beach, Toko Mouth, Cooks Head – Information and Trips Library
A fine overcast morning greeted us at Peter Johnstone Park with 19 trampers in 5 cars beginning our tramp at 10am. Continue reading “Chrystalls Beach, Toko Mouth”*Click this Wikipedia entry on Quarantine Island, if you wish.
*Click here for a PDF fact sheet of the original Quarantine Island
*And here is the St Martin Island Community web page. Click the photo at the bottom to see original buildings!
*Click a quarantine-island-botanical-report for a (bit dated) 1987 report on the island’s vegetation, if you like.
30 kms PJP to Back Beach.
Quarantine Island – Information and Trips Library
5. 4/10/2023. Combined. Quarantine Island. Grade 2, Leaders: Ross and Wyn Davies, Maria MacNee, Jenny Finnerty.
Twenty-eight trampers and hikers enjoyed a great day out with calm and temperate weather, a little cloudy, not the blue skies and sun the forecast promised. Perfect weather though for the crossing to Quarantine Island. Our day had started with a little confusion regarding numbers and meeting places but we all managed to get ourselves to Back Beach carpark safely (Julie and Viv might tell a few tales about their driver though, lol).
We walked off for morning tea in Lady Thorn Dell…
… where we enjoyed fabulous views of the busy Port Chalmers.
Great photos and history on display at the lookout platform. Little remains of the dry dock and ship building industry that once provided for a vibrant community in the 19th and 20th centuries.
From Lady Thorn Dell we enjoy a leisurely meander through the town cemetery which it has to be said seems to hold an unhealthy interest for those of us still in the land of the living? Indicative of the average age of our enclave perhaps…? Nonetheless, interesting history to be gleaned from those old stones and bones.
Coming back down to the Port we get a stunning glimpse of Carey’s Bay…
… before heading back to the wharf and Boiler Point where Captain John welcomes us aboard the island ferry the “Vivienne J”. After John treats us to a grand jaunt around the harbour basin (greatly appreciated by all on board)…
…we “set sail” for the island, not bad value at $20 return! One wag commented that “It was very nice of Bruce to organise a cruise for Jenny on her birthday….”
Arriving at the jetty on the island, the skeletons of the Waikana…
… and the Oreti form a kind of decaying guard of honour as we head up to the Lodge for lunch.
After lunch we explore the island starting with the restored Married Quarters building in which is housed a beautifully modelled miniature of the Waikana as she was when in service as a harbour ferry.
Regenerating native bush rang with the sound of native bird life as we enjoyed an easy 30-minute walk around the island.
Our walks included visiting the sad sight of the island’s cemetery where the remains of 72 immigrants lay, half of them children, in unmarked graves. The small mounds are especially evocative. A sobering reminder of the fate of many immigrants who survived the arduous journey from the other side of the world in search of a better future, only to perish of scarletina and other deadly diseases in quarantine before they even set foot on the mainland.
Heading back across the harbour our day is nicely rounded off by afternoon tea at the Santosha Cafe in the Port.
A wonderful day out enjoyed by all.
Maria
4. 12/2/2020. Quarantine Island. Leaders Janice and Peter
43 hikers and trampers parked at Back Beach, Port Chalmers and walked along the wharf
edge past the stacks of logs. No cruise ship in port this time. Headed up the hill to our
morning tea spot at the beautifully maintained Lady Thorn Dell.
The lookout gave us good views of the container wharf which was busy with a container ship in.
Meandered along the road , through the cemetery, and down to the main Aramoana road.
A small detour took us down to the new extended fishing wharf at Boiler Point.
Carried on to the main street of Port Chalmers and up the hill to the lookout and Ralph Houtere Sculpture Park.
Back down a bush track to Back Beach. With half an hour to go before the boat was due to arrive
most of us lunched in the car park. Were entertained by a heap of shags and gulls feasting
on some small silver fish. By this time the weather had cleared from a slightly drizzly misty
start to a very pleasant sunny calm day. Perfect for a boat trip.
Another two hikers arrived, which brought our numbers up to 45. Because of the numbers, the boat did two trips to the island. We were met by a very enthusiastic knowledgeable volunteer who took us to the old married quarters and gave us a very detailed overview of the history of the island.
Photo and Caption Clive -“Quarantine Island chapel”The renovations to this building have now been completed. Following this the majority of the
group did the half hour walk round the point, through the old cemetery, returning to the
wharf to be transported back to the car park.
Refreshments (including a yummy Devonshire tea for some of us) were at the historic Careys Bay Hotel – a pleasant end to the day sitting in front of the hotel overlooking the boat harbour.
Jan and Peter
3. 18/3/2015. Quarantine/St Martin Island from Port Chalmers. Leaders: Jan and Peter.
The weather was atrocious. Twenty-four Hikers and Ramblers arrived at the Back Beach car park. The rain fell. The wind blew. Leaders had told us our ferry to the island wasn’t to leave till 12.30 p.m. The sensible ones of us I believe waited out the morning in the shelter of their vehicles. The sillier ones were immediately into Parkas and gloves. Storm gear.
And off we set. Back the way we had come. Past the never-ending stretch of stacked logs, past the cruise ship, through the main intersection, up and along the road behind the church, across the railway line and on to Lady Thorn Dell. Here we gathered in the most sheltered (??) spot for morning tea. Few sat and even fewer partook. It was wet and cold.
Then surprise, upon the scene came up the two Lions Club members we had met as we entered the Dell, engaged in tidying the place up in preparation of a forthcoming important visit. They welcomed us and told us everything we could wish to know about the Dell’s history, from early quarrying of the rock, which initially was a hill stretching out to the water’s edge and whose stone now graces many of Dunedin’s buildings, notably the Railway Station, on through its life as a rubbish dump and subsequent clearing, to enable the further rhododendron planting and the present day. Wonderful.
Whereas we had earlier briefly entertained the idea of taking hot coffee in the warm embrace of Careys Bay Hotel, more time had now elapsed, so it was back down to the town,…
…in search of coffee that was more local. But the town was asleep, despite the cruise ship’s presence. No tourists. No cafes.
So we wandered around a bit, eventually sloping off in twos and fours back to the cars. We lunched separately, some in cars, some in other shelter, some exploring, until ferry-time arrived. Jan collected our ten dollar notes for paying the fare, and we boarded.
A lovely boat. Powerful too. The channel was a bit rough but in the lee of the island, all was smooth. And the sun had appeared and the rain had gone. A brightening-up afternoon. Hurrah.
It was no trouble alighting at the new wharf. The new island warden filled us in on local history, a salient point being that the St Martins Island Group name had very recently given way to the Quarantine Island Group name. Two other groups were there on the day, one of them being a two-day Tokomairio School Group. Our stay was a two-hour one, set to return at 3.00 p.m.
The walk round the top of the island was only half an hour. Lovely bush. The wind was strong on the sou-west side, the one exposed towards Dunedin, but the bush part of the track provided good shelter.
Having walked the main track,…
…some wandered off towards the old graveyard and the Portobello end of the island.
The few sheep on the island were sheltered under a small plantation of pines. A brick chimney was all that remained of the old hospital.
Back towards the main buildings, the married quarters, once two-storied but now just a large hall, had been straightened up from an earlier lean, looking good in its fresh coat of paint.
The ‘wanderers’ joined the others waiting in the sun till ferry-time arrived.
All went smoothly as we reboarded and ‘sailed’ (?) back to the car park. A significant point, picked up from the crew, was that among them was the boat’s present owner, and the new owner , the one of the Monarch. This boat had apparently had a capacity for 33 passengers.
All agreed it had been a good day, all round. A day with a difference. A day to re-establish connections between Ramblers and old and newer Hikers.
Thanks to Janice and Peter for the day. – Ian.
2. 22/4/1998 St Martin/Quarantine Island Camp
1. 5/3/1997. Martin Island Cruise.
Taieri Recreational Tramping Club
President’s report 2022-2023
It is my pleasure to present this report.
We have had a full on year, of major and minor events, contained within a varied trip programme which in turn has been affected by a few wet Wednesdays! The latter being most unusual but hopefully not setting a long term precedent; one benefit being to remind us that there is no substitute for wearing and carrying the right gear for the weather on the day.
Majors being a very enjoyable Xmas function at Taieri Mouth with standout entertainment, as well as discovering the efficient taxi service that exists down there….This was followed by a successful week at Bannockburn that comprised a varied walking programme, some walks being a first for many of us, as well as undertaking a Tour de Dunstan and environs on Les bicyclettes. . The travel agents we used
for this event were most efficient and we look forward to their offering planned for Kelvin Heights and the Queenstown area in the coming Autumn, but of course we do need to get through spring and summer first!
Our recent 35th birthday and mid winter celebrations were outstanding and subsequent discussions thought provoking. The photo show displaying a trip down memory lane is currently to hand and we are hopeful it can be made available shortly.
We have had a range of new walks and variations on previous walks and have tried to pick up on those not done for some time. The big turnout to support the Halo Project at Long Beach was wonderful and a more than useful adjunct to the flax clearing undertakings we do. As discussed with a range of folk we are assessing with the Green Hut Group how we can take a ‘working bee’ approach to the track clearing work and continue the club’s contribution to track maintenance on our side of Flagstaff/ Swampy. More on this shortly.
The Committee and sub committees/ web team continue to fine tune processes and communications such as the ability to print the trip programme from the website, as well as the ongoing reassessment of fuel costs The latter has been recently looked at again for when we do the summer trip programme. We have looked at why disclaimers of liability are not required as well as settled a process for walks to accommodate folk who may wish not to complete the full walk on the day.
Our membership has blossomed through the last few months and stands at 109, with some pending! Our life members are Bev Harvey, George Haggie, Margaret Smith and Molly Vaughan.
For your information the current office holders and Committee members offer themselves for re election and Graeme Souter has been nominated for the sole vacant standard position on the committee.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed in so many ways outlined above to make a successful year, supporting each other is a hallmark of the club.
This year will be the last for Jill Dodd on the committee as she has decided ‘to retire’. Jill has had a lengthy stint since 2015 as vice president/president/past president and of course acting president during Covid. In addition, Jill has initiated a range of trips, first aid training as well and events such as the recent Halo project contribution and more. We look forward to walking and talking with you Jill for many years to come!
I move that this report be adopted.
Seconder
Phil Keene, August 2023
Minutes of the 35th Annual General Meeting of Taieri Recreational Tramping Club held at the Taieri Presbyterian Church Hall, on Thursday 24 August 2023 at 1.30 p.m.
Present: Phil Keene (Chair), Anne Ward, Barbara Shackell, Betty Finnie, Bev Harvey, Bill Cubitt, Bruce Wright, Carole Morrison, Clive Crossman, Dave Roberts, Diane Paterson, Dorothy Bennett, Elaine Day, Eleanore Ryan, Gail Williams, Grant Shackell, Gwenda Farqharson, Heather Kirk, Helen Morris, Jan Butcher, Janette Abbott, Janice Yardley, Jay Devlin, Jenni Wright, Jill Dodd, Jim Finnie, John Gardiner, Judy Dennison, Karen McInnes, Lester Harvey, Margreet Simpson, Marijke Schofield, Neil Hodgkin, Neil Simpson, Pam Cocks, Phil Morris, Raewyn Keene, Ross Davies, Sarah McCormack, Shona Munro, Theresa White and Wyn Davies.
Apologies: Alex Griffin, Avis Williamson, Chris Wither, Dave Mellish, Di Bezett, Esther Willis, Graeme Souter, Heather Reid, Jenny Finnerty, Jenny Flack, Jill Reid, Kathryn Fagg, Katrina McKenzie, Lenore Armstrong, Liz Griffin, Lyn Keene, Neville Griffiths, Pam Clough, Peter Davie, Shona Carruthers, Wendy Begley and Yan Campbell.
The minutes of the 34th AGM were taken as read, having previously been circulated. Moved Jan Butcher, seconded Margreet Simpson that they be confirmed as a true and accurate record. Carried.
None.
None.
Phil Keene moved that his report be adopted, seconded by Sarah McCormack. Carried.
The financial statement, previously circulated to members, was summarised by Jenni Wright.
Income for the year was $2,575.03, expenses $1,610.41, resulting in a surplus of $964.62. The current state of finances was $1,245.12 with $4.60 petty cash, totalling $1,249.72.
There was a timing issue in income and expenditure.
As at year end, we had not yet received the invoice from the Taieri Bowling Club for the catering for the 35th birthday celebratory lunch. Income for the 35th lunch is $885.00 which means that our surplus to 30 June 2023 in real terms is $79.62.
The Committee at its meeting on 27 June 2023, recommended that the annual subscription and joining fee remain at $10 each.
Jenni Wright moved the adoption of the Treasurer’s Report, seconded John Gardiner. Carried.
Appointment of Reviewer for the Forthcoming Year
Keith Mackenzie has agreed to be TRTC’s reviewer for the 2023-24 financial year. Jenni Wright moved that Keith Mackenzie be reappointed as reviewer, seconded Barbara Shackell. Carried.
| Position | Name | Moved | Seconded |
| President | Phil Keene | Jenni Wright | Jill Dodd |
| Vice President | John Gardiner | Helen Morris | Dave Roberts |
| Secretary/
Treasurer |
Jenni Wright | Jay Devlin | Barbara Shackell |
| Existing Committee | Jay Devlin
Jan Butcher Karen McInnes Pam Cocks John Gardiner |
Theresa White | Sarah McCormack |
| Committee (New) | Graeme Souter | Neil Hodgkin | Heather Kirk |
| Communications | Ross Davies | Pam Cocks | Jill Dodd |
The Committee as outlined above was appointed unanimously.
Jill Dodd has resigned from the Committee as Past President and her considerable service to the Club was acknowledged with a rousing applause.
The President outlined the approach taken by the Committee to confer life memberships on four members. The process outlined in the paragraph 4 (e) of the constitution was read and then citations and presentations were read and made for Betty and Jim Finnie, Lester Harvey and Neil Morrison.
Webteam: Ross Davies, in response to Phil Keene’s appreciation of the Webteam, thanked the willingness of Chris Wither, Diane Paterson and latterly Marijke Schofield to step up as necessary to cover for each other. This is a great resource for the Club and the efforts of the Webteam are very much appreciated by all members.
The meeting closed at 1.45 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Jonah Kitto-Verhoef, Halo Project.
Jonah as Operations Pest Manager provided an overview of the organisational structure that focuses on working with communities across four areas, predator free zones, forest habitat restoration, from source to sea and seabird habitat restoration. It soon was very clear that extensive skill sets and passion for the job was required. Jonah demonstrated the extensive concentration of trapping systems and methodologies with predator free zones surrounded by large buffer zones. Jonah demonstrated different trap types and when and how they are used to
the best outcomes; he acknowledged there is a ‘dark side’ to the work. Much of what Jonah demonstrated is on the Halo Project website https://www.haloproject.org.nz/predator-free and this includes resource info sheets for groups and individuals. Clive Crossman thanked Jonah for his talk and presented a donation from the club for the Halo Project’s work
19. Welsh’s Road, Old Farm, Deep Stream Weir. Grade 3 Leaders: Lyn and Di
13 of us set off for the Pipeline, which is just off the old Dunstan trail on Rocklands Station.
We had morning tea under the pine trees where we parked the vehicles. It was a tad cold but we soon warmed up with the walk over the farmland to the pipeline.
It was stunning scenery walking to the Weir and back.
We had lunch in the sun out of the gorge with more room to spread out.
Then took the road back to the cars. It was 8.84ks according to my phone.
Some finished the day with a cuppa at the Wobbly Goat. Another great day out.
18. 17/08/2022 Trampers. Deep Creek Pipeline. 3.5 $10. Barbara Shackell & Judy Dennison
On a foggy old Wednesday morning, with the leader’s phone app threatening rain, 26 trampers met at the rugby grounds, sorted themselves into what appropriate vehicles were available and headed off at 9.30am sharp. A rearrangement of seating occurred when a couple of vehicles joined us at Outram, then again at Clark’s Junction with the addition of Heather’s vehicle, waiting for us at the turn off to Old Dunstan Road (ODR). We regrouped at Rocklands Station gateway, at which point the ODR was locked, and travelled in convoy through the farmyard, between buildings, up the hill and back onto ODR. Some 5km further along, two cars were left at the gateway to the Te Papanui Conservation Park, passengers rearranged again, with a couple of them heading off on foot to our final parking destination two kms further on. Morning tea was had in the shelter of a line of pines (although there was nothing to shelter from!) while a vehicle returned to collect the two pedestrians.
After morning tea the group set off for a couple of km on a comfortable uphill farm road, without stringing out too much at all. Good work Judy (tail-end Charlie!).
Entering the gate to the paddock containing the Deep Creek Gorge we followed a 4WD track to arrive at the pump station a little before noon. From there we picked up the pipeline track and followed it a few hundred metres around to a sunny spot which us allowed a view down into the gorge for a leisurely lunch.
After lunch we crossed the first of a handful of boggy patches and continued along the pipeline track to the weir.
What a difference a week makes – the recce had us walking along snow covered tracks, observing animal tracks in the pristine snow, dodging icicles clinging to overhanging rock, frozen bogs, while the club tramp had virtually no snow visible, the bogs were boggy, but plants – some showing colour – were visible through the rocky cracks and crevices. The weir had a considerably greater flow of water than earlier in the week, presumably from the snow melt.
Some took advantage of the ladders to gain an elevated view of the weir.
From that vantage point the pipe lineman’s hut was also visible and some members on the return walk, climbed up for a looksee at a very dilapidated “shelter”. While the hut is invisible from the track, its position is fortuitously marked by a final telegraph pole.
The return along the pipeline track provided a different perspective of the gorge and it didn’t take long to reach the place we’d had lunch and rather than follow the track the last couple of hundred metres around to the pump house, we took a shortcut, heading uphill, following no track, just the knowledge that we would reach the 4WD track over the brow, where we paused briefly.
A show of hands as we rested indicated that exactly half our number had never been into the gorge previously.
The farm road downhill to the vehicles was covered quickly. We agreed to meet at the Wobbly Goat for coffee, but in the event it was closing as we arrived, and we continued onto Wal’s.
My fears regarding the weather we would strike were unwarranted. Through the fog we were teased with a brief sighting of blue sky nearing Outram in the morning, but then re-entered the ground fog as we climbed up SH87. This cleared completely before Lee Stream and we had perfect weather for the rest of the day – intermittent sun, no wind or rain! A quick read of previous reports on this particular track leads the writer to believe we might have been lucky not to have suffered a debilitatingly cold wind!
Thanks to Rocklands station for permissions; to the drivers of vehicles able to manage the farm tracks, to those who met us away from the Rugby carpark for their punctuality, and everyone for the positive feedback on the day. I think it may be repeated!
Barbara
17. 18/03/2020 Hikers. Deep Creek Pipeline. M. Bob Mitchell and Mike Webb
.The weather was fine with great visibility and from the huts we could see the pipeline snaking its way around the gorge.
From the huts it was a steady climb down to find the track that leads to the pipeline. The track is approximately 2kms in length, and quite narrow in some places with railed walkways over some of the more challenging parts of the track. The views were quite spectacular and we were soon strung out in single file looking like porters on the Ho Chi Minh trail. Frequent photo stops were the order of the day.
From there it was a short walk up to the huts and back down to the cars.
16. 9/1/2019. Deep Creek Gorge Pipeline. Leaders: Theresa and Clive.
31 Trampers, Hikers and Ramblers set out across the tussock of Te Papanui Conservation Park. It was an ideal day for a walk on the tops as there was high cloud keeping what can be a scorching sun off our backs. The 16 degree temperature was just right to get things started after the Christmas/New Year break. 13 of the participants had not been on the walk before and were looking forward to the gorge.
Morning tea
found us being observed by a large herd of cows who seemed very interested in what we were all doing there.
After a twenty minute break we headed on up hill
to the hut at the mouth of the gorge. Having made sure everyone was accounted for it was across the 40 ? or 41 ? bridges and board walks to the weir at the top of Deep Creek.
This gorge is a feature that makes this walk so interesting. As an aside, the DoC blurb advises that there are over 500 species of native insects; plus a wide variety of plants and animals (including pigs and red deer), in the Te Papanui park.
Lunch was taken back at the mouth of the gorge, sheltering from the cool breeze that had sprung up. After lunch the Trampers headed off in a more Easterly directing to add a bit more distance to the completed walk. The hikers and ramblers headed back the way we had come in the morning. The hikers covered about 9.5 kms by the end of the day and were happy to sit down for afternoon tea at the Wobbly Goat about half an hour ahead of the more exercised Trampers group. The consensus was a ‘gorge’-ous days outing! – Clive
15. 26/4/2017. Deep Creek Gorge Pipeline . Leaders: Theresa and Arthur.
Leave the car park and go up SHWY 87 until Clarks Junction. Turn left onto Rocklands Road. Travel on excellent tar seal until you pass the Rocklands Station complex. Now you will be on gravel and at the beginning of the Old Dunstan Trail. Turn left off the Old Dunstan Trail and proceed on farm track for 2 kms. Park cars at the trees. Cross over farm land for a period of time — only down and up one gully,
going in a west / north direction towards the gorge. A gate in the middle of a paddock with a faint track going in the right direction. Two small newish huts with a solar powered panel on roof mark the beginning of the Gorge track. This is part of the Te Papanui Reserve. Traverse pipe line for approx 1/12- 2 kms.
The pipe line is suspended off the cliff high above the Gorge .The track is narrow on the pipe line …
… but is easy and in the main flat. There are many foot bridges to cross. (An in-house challenge to count the number, caused differing results/) One dedicated tramper even ticked them off on a piece of paper .WHO are we to disagree!! A small dam was at the head of a very picturesque Deep Creek Gorge.
Repeat the trip back to the road just beyond the huts. From then it is an easy road tramp back to the cars. 12 very happy trampers enjoyed a WOW 😳 kind of a day out. Approx 10 kms in length. Debrief and coffee at Outram. -Theresa.
14. 9/4/2014. Trampers. Deep Creek. (A replacekment for ‘The Gap’, programmed for the day, which would have turned out extremely muddle.)
13. 31/8/2011. Trampers. Deep Creek.
12. 10/11/2010. Hikers. Deep Creek. Medium. Leaders: Evelyn C, Graham.
11. 12/3/2008 Hikers. Deep Creek. Medium. Leaders: Joyce S, Lesley G
Bob H told us about the water race used in the gold mining days and the pipeline to supplement the Dunedin City’s water supply, built in the 1930s. The farmland had been former tussock country but the gorge was not modified and still supported many alpine plants, including gentians in flower. We had several sightings of NZ Falcons, which are now considered to be diminishing in numbers. It was an exciting area to be hiking in,
as the river was a long way below us and the sides of the gorge very steep. Ian F was making mental notes for the retrieval of anyone who miscalculated their step, but fortunately the plan wasn’t needed. We were back at the cars by 2pm and home to Mosgiel 3pm. An exhilarating day. – Lesley G
10. 13/6/2007 Leaders: George, Abe
9. 23/8/2006. Hikers. Deep Creek, Old Dunstan Road. Medium. Leaders: Val, Arthur & Barbara
8. 24/11/2004. Both. Deep Creek, Lammermoors. Leaders: Evelyn C, Ian, Peter and Wendy
7. 17/4/2002. Alt. Rockland and Deep Creek. Medium. Leaders: Bob H, Bev H, Bev McI.
6. 21/10/1998. Deep Creek from Old Dunstan Trail. Leaders: George, Les S.
5. 24/3/1998. Deep Creek, Rocklands. Leaders: Shirley McN, Ria L, Bev H.
4. 15/10/1997.
3. 8/2/1995. Deep Creek from Old Dunstan Road. Easy. Leaders: Jack R, Bob H, Ted, Dot T.
2. 20/3/1991. Deep Creek Dam and Pipeline. Great viewing and interesting country. Easy+. Leaders: Dave and Jean, Margaret D, Janice.
1. 1/2/89. Deep Creek.
No. 87 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Michelle’s Farm Outram Farm”.
11 km from car park.
Park under Outram Bridge. Contacts: Seek 3 permissions.
Proceed east side of Taieri River along gravel road to gravel pit. Bear right uphill to power lines. Follow generally along grass farm tracks to top of hill.
Landmarks: Trig marker on right; also obvious paper road between two fence lines; Long barn on right (good for lunch stop); large wool shed on top of hill straight ahead (this is still on Hyslop’s property).
Straight on access is to Taioma Road but we don’t usually go that far!
Plenty of mushrooms in April – take a bag!
After ascending a narrow track through scrub we made our way along a ridge on Craig Nichol’s property. Any conversation was ‘gone with the wind’. To quote Evel Knievel “ I love the feeling of fresh air on my face and wind blowing through my hair” – certainly true today!
We decided not to go to the trig – the howling wind spoke to us and we found our way down to a pocket of native bush. The relative calm here was a welcome respite from the punishing wind on the hill top.
Walking roughly parallel to SHW 87 we headed back towards Outram. Thank you farmer Neil for herding a mob of cattle out of our path.
Throwing caution to the wind we walked through a Douglas fir plantation, then a large stand of eucalyptus – fortunately there were few recently dropped branches! The only reportable incident was Diane being blown backwards whilst pivoting on a gate – luckily she was caught by the two behind her ( I rue a missed photo opportunity!)
A nice hill climb took us to wide track Craig recently had dug out back down to the Taieri river, and we were at the cars by 3.00 pm.
A great day out and many thanks to Julie McKenzie and Pam Cox for your assistance.
Distance walked – 13.5 km
Jill Reid
After a “Pow Wow” at top, decision was made to head back on shorter route to cars which also allowed time for refreshments and catch up at Wobbly Goat. A good day to start off the tramping calendar after all the lock downs I really enjoyed it. Gordon.
A short back track and then it was downhill on a farm road in the direction of S.H.87. Nearing the bottom we turned aside, and climbing a barbwire fence (the leader having thoughtfully fitted a pipe safety guard) …
Heading down into Walmsley’s farm gully. (Gordon pic and caption.)… found ourselves in a rough gorsey block.
Emerging once more onto open farmland it was time for a leisurely lunch in the sun, and still with a view to enjoy.
Afterwards we negotiated a paddock or two before entering an exotic forest to climb back up somewhat. In time we retained the turnip field to eventually finish the last leg back on our outward track.
Back to the cars at 2pm after walking over 13 km was good going.
To Outram where some visited the ice cream shop, others to the Hairy Goat – where all eventually congregated. And no one was in a hurry to go home. A day that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
This report comes to you on behalf of Gordon (leader). – Art.
May 2025 Update
Hi everyone
What fantastic days we have been having – the grass and weeds keep growing but time ‘in the hills ‘has been magic – things look a bit different either side of King’s Birthday!
Welcome: A warm welcome to Maryam Purvis, Carol-Anne Buchanan, Jan Palmer and Katherine Martin. It’s great to see you all enjoying your time with us.
At the last Committee meeting the winter trip programme was finalised and is well underway, remember 9.15am meet for 9.30am start after Kings Birthday. Fuel costs were assessed and held at the current level.
It’s always hard to get trip planning perfect but we need to stay focussed on what’s approved and not try and make too many changes. We have adapted the application for membership form for new members to stress the expectation that assistance to lead or be tail end charlie with trips is critical to the growth of the club and that these responsibilities are not limited to a few. We appreciate that organising trips (and recces) comes easier to some but assistance is always at hand! And yes we acknowledge that others have done their share!
We again discussed the formalisation of the ramblers group but decided to leave things as they are – we stay open to feedback on this. From time to time some members informally organise a walk through phone calls the night before or on the day; if they wish you could make use of the web team to send a note out the night before to let others know the where and when.
Speaking of the growth of the Club there will be changes at this years AGM. As most know John Gardiner and I are both standing down (I will become Immediate Past President and stay on the Committee) and Jenni Wright also wishes to step down. Please give your consideration to assisting the club and consider nominations for when we send out AGM papers in July. (Diary the AGM for Thursday 14 August).
Whilst we have a very good framework in the Club, but also keeping it informal, things can always be improved etc and not always done as they always have been! New blood brings new ideas.
Barbara will be organising a night for showing photos from trips members have undertaken – – around the world in an hour or two! If you would like to show some photos please let Barbara know so we can structure the night; each may have to have their top 20 photos or so……
as well Ross will take a short time to demonstrate techniques for photos that we send in to the web team following the weekly walks.
Also as seen a note from Jenni has highlighted the Mid Year lunch at Waihola Tavern on 2 July.
I know politics should not be discussed but the Committee agreed I should do a submission on a community trust proposal for Puketapu – the Palmerston Hill – to cease grazing and implement a restoration plan with clear access to the monument. To hand is a decision from the hearings committee of the Waitaki Council supporting and recommending to the full Council the restoration plan and reducing the grazing area. Also at very short notice I submitted to the DCC on the Tunnels Trust and the link between Wingatui and Abbotsford. Hopefully we’ll get the same posituve result! Happy to provide copies of the submissions on request.
We have had 4 track clearing days this past summer, a little down on the usual but a range of factors have limited our efforts – I’m catching up with the Green Hut Group shortly. Thanks to everyone who volunteered.
If you get the time have a quick refresh of the Track Grading document on the website. The gradings allocated are based on a range of factors as well as a recce could result in slightly different route – and grade from the last walk write up.
Note that track grades do not change because of the weather. The grade is the grade is the grade – regardless of hot and dry or wet and muddy.
There is a footnote in the document ‘Cautions
Although tracks are graded, any track may be more difficult on the day due to conditions like recent rain, deteriorating weather, or fallen trees.’
Lastly a wee reminder if a club plb (locator beacon) is used for a recce – (use of the 3rd plb held by Phil and Raewyn is preferred) then Clive Crossman should be emailed or txt’d ([email protected]/021866410) with the details of the recce. When a plb is activated the authorities contact Clive as our nominee to check the signal is in all probability genuine and real.
Keep walking, keep talking and stay warm
Phil
Link to President’s Update information Library for previous updates
4. 13/09/2023. Trampers. Pine Hill, Mt Cargill. Grade 3.5, $5, 20km, Leaders: John Gardiner, Dave Roberts
Having already somewhat created a “rod for my own back”, in starting the Wizard of Oz theme in my tramp preamble last week, after some prompting, I’ll try to intertwine the “Wizard” theme into this report. Inevitably particularly pertinent to trampers, some yellow brick road references.
On an overcast morning with a chilly wind, 21 trampers, who arrived in 6 cars, set out at 10.00am, on the start of our tramp in Cowan Road. Like Dorothy at the beginning of her yellow brick road journey, most trampers had no idea where they would venture during the day.
– One interpretation of the “Wizard Fable” is that on life’s journey, tenacity, and perseverance in striving for a goal is a core value.
Following the previously described, muddy, gorse lined portal to what lay beneath, morning tea was enjoyed at 10.40am on the lower, wider, gravel road, at a sheltered spot.
– Some believe the gold colour of the yellow brick road and the green “Emerald City” represent the currency arguments the US experienced in the 1900’s.
Soon we were on the track leading down through the forest, with a pine needle carpet underfoot, and after following a fence line, we were soon on the gravel road to Sullivans Dam, arriving at 11.20am.
-During the making of the “Wizard” movie, the snow scene contained fake asbestos based snow that left many on set chronically ill!
Lunch was enjoyed at the beautiful Sullivans Dam, beginning a little early, at 11.50am, in a sheltered spot. We had reached our destination.
-In the Wizard story the Emerald City is a place to which Dorothy, the tin man, the lion, and the scarecrow journey in order to achieve their various dreams.
By 12.15pm we were on our way again, walking around the side of Sullivans Dam to the start of the “Cloud Forests of the Leith” track. This track, with it’s many boardwalk sections and beautiful bush (even a ‘bush telegraph’ and Gnome Grotto) adding yet more variety to our tramp.
-In the Wizard story the yellow brick road was at times very rough. The scarecrow often stumbled over the yellow bricks, which were very uneven, sometimes even broken, or missing altogether, leaving holes that dog Toto (a West Highland Terrier) and Dorothy jumped across or walked around.
Arriving at the top of the Cloud Forests track by 1.20pm, we regrouped with a magnificent view north to Blueskin Bay and beyond, before following the gravel road to the base of the “portal” gorse lined track.
On this section a navigational error by your’s truly resulted in everyone walking a bit further than necessary to a dead end part of the road. The greatest consequence of this being my embarrassment!
– In the Wizard story, Dorothy follows the yellow brick road, intending to find the Wizard, who would bestow on her the knowledge to achieve her goal, only to find that she had the answer within her all along.
Heading up the gorse lined final section of our tramp took us back to the cars by 2.30pm, having covered approx 8 km. A Grade 3 tramp.
-So where was the yellow brick road? Some believe it is a brick road in Peekshill, New York, where author L.Frank Baum attended Peekshill Military Academy. Others believe it was inspired by a road paved in yellow bricks near Holland, Michigan where Baum spent many summers.
Afternoon tea was enjoyed at the Crocodile Cafe, Dunedin Botanic Garden, on what had developed into a mild , sunny day. As a footnote – I did apply and receive a permit to walk on the City Forests section of this tramp, only to receive a later email, stating that it wasn’t necessary if we stayed on the Escarpment or 3 Peaks tracks.
Special thanks to Dave Roberts for acting as tail end Charlie and Graeme Souter for his help with the rece.
– Goodbye yellow brick road.
John Gardiner.
This page of club tramps and hikes on the Otago Peninsula groups together trips to Portobello. (map)
Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.
Drive along Portsmouth Drive and turn left over the causeway and follow Portobello Road to Portobello township – approx. 19 kms. At Portobello township turn right onto Allans Beach Road to park at the Portobello Reserve..
20/05/2026. Nyhon and Hereweka Tracks. Grade 3.5. Trampers. Leaders: Esther Willis & Lyn Keene.
19/02/2025. Hereweka Road / Portobello . Grade 3.5. Trampers. Leaders: Di Bezett, Lyn Keene.
Portobello, Clarks, Sheppards, McArthny, Varleys Hills. 2023 – 2008 (13 trips with 10 reports, plus 2 with photos only)
Portobello, Hatchery Road, Quarantine Point. 2022 – 2005 (10 trips with 2 reports plus 3 with photos only)