Track Maintenance, Planting and Pest Management Activities – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

TRTC in liaison with the Green Hut Track Group undertakes to maintain those tracks on Swampy and Flagstaff on the Silverstream side above Rollinsons Road. This page groups together those trips where track maintenance has been undertaken by the Club.

Also included on this page is planting and pest management (trapping) activities undertaken with the Halo Project which is an Otago based organization within Predator Free Dunedin who work collaboratively to protect and strengthen communities.

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

September 2026. Trapping update from Phil.
06/05/2026. Flax Clearing Day. Combined.  Leaders:  John Gardiner and Graham Thurlow.
06/05/2026. Track Clearing – Boulder Beach  Leader: Pam Cocks.
05/11/2025. Future Forest – Broad bay. Grade 2.5. Combined.  Leaders: Jenny Flack, Linda Partridge, Gwenda Farquharson, Pam Cocks.
06/08/2025. Halo Project. Combined.  Leader: Jill Dodd
11/04/2025 Flax/ Track Clearing.  Trampers.  Leader: Phil Keene.
26/03/2025. Flax / Track Clearing. Trampers. Leader: Phil Keene.
21/03/2025. Track Clearing.  Leader: Phil Keene.
18/11/2024 Track Clearing.  Leader: Phil Keene.

Halo Project Planting  2024 Combined Leader: Jill
Track Clearing  2024 – 2004 (27 trips, 16 with reports and photos, 10 with reports only, 1 with no report or photos)

 

 

 

 

Taieri Ferry and Finlayson Roads, Bells Farm, Kennedys, Millenium.

“Legends of the Lower Taieri” includes a section about John Bull if you persist in reading down far enough.

Millenium Track from Taieri Ferry Rd, Finlayson Rd, Galloway Rd, Bells Farm, Kennedys Farm, Wenita (Morrisons Block) – Information and Trips Library

Img 8059 Res 10018. 22/11/2023.Hikers. Millennium Track from Henley Ferry Bridge. Grade 3. 27km. Leaders: Ady Whitson/Bruce Wright.

We had a great day on the track. Weather was great with 20 Hikers enjoying the day. We parked about 2/3 the way down the road from the stile. Continue reading “Taieri Ferry and Finlayson Roads, Bells Farm, Kennedys, Millenium.”

Leith Saddle, Swampy Spur, Transmitter Tower. Also Rustlers and Burns Tracks

Information
Click boardwalk history for account about the original Leith Saddle Track  and the establishment of the boardwalk in 1993.
For our Club’s part in the boardwalk venture see boardwalk for an ODT account of its construction.
See also TRTC Jack Merrilees (who died January 2015)

Cars park off motorway at Leith Saddle yard (alternatively down side road at bridge (restricted space). 25 km from car park.
Walk across side road to track.
Gravelled track 1.5 km. (morning tea on lookout seats a little further on)
Transmitter Tower 2 hours.
Going further: along road past doppler radar to DoC sign.
Right along Rustlers Ridge track to junction with Burns Track.
Through junction and up and round hill on Rustlers Ridge Track. (Lunch on hill)
Down ridge to pipeline. (Alternatively turn right at junction for Burns and down to pipeline)
Turn right along pipeline.
5.5 hours in all.
Burns – Rustlers circuit Maintained by Green Hut Track Group. DCC land.

Rustlers Ridge, Burns Track, Swampy Spur, Transmitter Tower – Information and Trips Library

Img 7887 Res 10035. 22/11/2023. Trampers. Burns/Rustlers Ridge. Grade 4. 25km. Leaders: Phil Morris/Carolyn Pridham.

On an overcast muggy day, 20 Trampers headed to Leith Saddle. We set off down Leith Valley road, and left up Burns Track entrance onto Pipeline Track Continue reading “Leith Saddle, Swampy Spur, Transmitter Tower. Also Rustlers and Burns Tracks”

Taioma, Mt Allan, Wingatui Viaduct, Parera – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the North via Gordon Road  area and groups together trips incorporating Taioma, Mt Allan, Parera. (map)

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

Access Permissions maybe required as trips to Taioma and Mt Allan can venture  onto Wentia Forestry land and the Taieri Gorge Railway line – refer guidelines
Note:  You are not allowed to be on the railway line unless you have permission. Furthermore it is Private Property on Garroway’s cottage at Parera.

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of about 3. This is indicative only, as trips can be allocated a higher or lesser grading depending on the route taken. For more detailed analysis refer to Grading Information.

Background information on Salisbury property

Background Information for Wingatui Viaduct Taioma Hike (20/8/2025)

How To Get There:

Upon leaving Peter Johnston Park drive to the main street of Mosgiel (Gordon Road) and turn right. Follow Gordon Road about 1 km to the five way cross roads and go straight through onto Taioma Road. This road will cross the Taieri Plains and onto a zig zag section of road which will ascend a fairly steep hill and into Mt Allen forest. Continue on the gravel road which will descend across the railway line to Mullocky Creek and up to an area (before a locked gate) where parking is available.

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

13/05/2026.  Mt Allan area/Mullocky Stream to Parera. Grade 3. Combined.  Leaders: Sylvie Watts and Carolyn Pridham.
08/04/2026. Taieri View Farm Tramp. Grade 3. Trampers.  Leaders: Jill Reid and Sue Johnstone.
20/08/2025. Wingatui Viaduct. Grade 2.5. Hikers.  Leaders: Maria MacNee, Bill Cubitt..

Taioma, Parera, Viaduct. 2023 – 1988 (18 trips, 4 with reports and photos, 2 with photos only, 1 with report only, 11 with no reports or photos)
North Taieri Church, Salisbury, Taieri River Lookout off Taioma Road 2018- 1992 (10 trips, 4 with reports and photos, 2 with reports only, 1 with photos only, 3 with no report or photos)
Boulder Hill from Taioma Road. 1999 – 1988 (3 trips, no reports or photos)
Outram Bridge, Taieri View, Taioma Road. 1997 – 1998 (2 trips, no reports or photos)

 

 

 

Signal Hill Tramps

Distance Chingford from carpark: 20 km.
Follow Old Main North Road to Cleghorn Street which has the best view of the harbour. Walkway sign.
Walk starts starts at the gate on right, up McGregors Hill. Beyond stile Pine plantation on 3rd stile at summit.
Gravel road 10 minutes to end. Locked gate. Last stile. Signal Hill road.

15 Nov Signal Hill Harbour View With Hikers. Square Small Janette19. 15/11/2023. Hikers. Cleghorn Street to Signal Hill. Leaders Pam Clough and Jay Devlin

23 keen hikers gathered on a beautiful day at the Bottom of Cleghorn St where we made our way up the gravel road to the beginning of our walk which was firstly over farmland. Continue reading “Signal Hill Tramps”

Doctors Point area tramps

Distance from car-park to Waitati: 34 km.
15 Nov Orokonui Canoe Beach Race Against The Tide Square Resize Pam25. 15/11/2023. Orokonui Circuit. Grade 3. Leaders: Graeme Souter & Gail Williams
The day dawned fined and following some creative maths (11 doesn’t as it turns out does not fit nicely into 2) – 3 cars left Dunedin to meet up with the Mosgiel trampers at Waitati. After numerous toilet visits, we all finally continued to our starting point at Doctors Point Reserve.

Continue reading “Doctors Point area tramps”

Chain Hills, Abbotts Creek, Friends Hill – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the Fairfield, Green Island and Mosgiel surrounds area and groups together trips incorporating Chain Hills, Abbots Creek and Friends Hill.

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of about 2. This is indicative only, as trips can be allocated a higher or lesser grading depending on the route taken. For more detailed analysis refer to Grading Information.

Restrictions: Crossing of main rail line is not permitted

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

03/09/2025. Fairfield via Abbotts Creek Track to Wingatui and Mosgiel. Grade 2.5. Combined.  Leaders: Barbara Shackell, Jenni Wright, Sandy Webb and Esther Willis.

Chain Hills-Friends Hill Tramps. 2024 – 1989 (47 trips, 20 with reports and photos, 2 with photos only, 25 with no reports or photos)

 

 

 

 

Saddle Hill – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes in the Fairfield, Green Island and Mosgiel surrounds area and groups together trips incorporating Saddle Hill.

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

Saddle Hill Hotel  – Historical background information

Access Permissions are required as trips to Saddle Hill venture over a working farm – refer guidelines

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of about 2. This is indicative only, as trips can be allocated a higher or lesser grading depending on the route taken. For more detailed analysis refer to Grading Information.

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

04/03/2026. Saddle Hill. Grade 3-3.5. Combined.  Leaders: Esther Wills, Lynn Keene, Jill Dodd, Katherine Martin.

Tramps associated with Saddle Hill, (Makamaka). 2020 – 1989 (42 trips, 6 with reports and photos, 3 with photos only, 33 with no report or photos).
Saddle Hill, Fairfield. 2010 – 1990 (3 trips, 1 with report and photos, 2 with no reports or photos)

 

 

 

 

 

Portobello, Clarks, Sheppards, McArthny, Varleys Hills

Distance Portobello from car-park: 32 km.

Portobello – Information and Trips Library

Map of area

Img20231108124710 Square Res100x10013. 8/11/2023. Hikers. Varleys Hill-Hereweka Track. Grade 2.5. $9. 32km. Leaders: Jan Butcher/Jenny Finnerty

22 hikers set off on a cloudy morning for the Portobello Community carpark. Continue reading “Portobello, Clarks, Sheppards, McArthny, Varleys Hills”

Moores Bush – Information and Trips Library

Scope:

This page of club tramps and hikes to the Leith Valley area and groups together trips to Moores Bush (map) incorporating Leith Saddle, Patmos Ave and Sullivans Dam.

Background Information:

Road distances from Mosgiel carpark.

TRTC Grading Information – trips incorporating these tracks are generally given a TRTC grading of about 3. This is indicative only, as trips can be allocated a higher or lesser grading depending on the route taken. For more detailed analysis refer to Grading Information.

How To Get There:

Ascend the Leith Valley road out of Dunedin and take a left turn into Thompsons Road, and not far along is the entrance, signposted but fenced, to this Forest and Bird Society property.

Links to tramps and hikes in this area:

30/09/2026. Moores Bush to Cloud Forests of the Leith via Sullivans Dam. Grade 3.5. Hikers.  Leaders: Wendy and Sandra.
19/02/2025. Moores Bush & Sullivan Dam. Grade 2.5. Hikers.  Leaders: Pam Clough, Jay Devlin.

Patmos Avenue, Leith Saddle, Moores Bush. 2017 – 2002 (5 trips, 1 with photos, 1 with report and photos, 3 with no reports or photos)

 

 

 

 

Mount Hyde Station

No. 5 on old hardcopy list of 113 club tramps. “Mt Hyde to Taieri River. Aqueduct. D Moir. Farm. Lambing.”
Location: 23.5 km. Lambing September-November.
Dsc07061 Square 100x10016. 8/11/2023. Trampers. Mt Hyde. Grade 3.5. $7. 24km. Leaders: Anne Ward, Di Bezett, Lyn Keene
We started our tramp with an enthusiastic group of 23.

Continue reading “Mount Hyde Station”

President’s Update – November 2023

November 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.  

  1. listed under “Recent Posts” – “Upcoming Trips”  
  2. can be printed direct from the link “copy of trip programme for printing”. Due to the dynamics  around trip organisation please note the “Upcoming Trips” is the most timely information. 

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 

  • a session will be run for those interested in sending in photos to the Webteam  • from time to time, the master photo (Saddle Hill) on the home page be refreshed  • we assess options for refreshing the website 
  • we assess back up options for maintenance of the more IT aspects of the website; this is  quite critical as what may appear as quite easy requests or functions actually require  multiple pages of instruction! 
  • we evaluate what information sets require passwords/be restricted or unrestricted 

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