Napier ramble, Wednesday 8 July 2026 Banner Photo: The view of Marine Parade Wednesday’s tramp was to have been to Tutira walkway and Waipatiki Beach, but with only three names on the list plus a poor weather forecast, I had a lightbulb moment, decided to stay in town and do Bluff Hill instead. After texting… [Read More]
No Three Gorges this time – but six rats in the bag!
Middle Hill Hut, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 13 May 2026 Banner Photo: The approach to the bridge across the Mangatutunui stream The planned tramp of Middle Hill – Three Gorges was shortened to just Middle Hill, the gorges track being closed due to storm damage. Two vehicles drove up Puketitiri Road, through the Rissington bridge construction site… [Read More]
Top Maropea makes it an extra-memorable Anzac Day
Top Maropea Hut, Ruahine FP, Saturday 25 April 2026 Banner Photo: At Top Maropea Hut in sunshine (and no wind) Anzac Day dawned glorious: clear, calm and cold. There was a touch of frost in places on Highway 50 and snow from the recent southerly storm on the Kawekas and Ruahines. The ballooning from airborne… [Read More]
You’ve got to roll with it…
Wednesday, 29 October 2025 Banner Photo: A selfie at the NTC bench seat, basking in sunshine and protected from the wind October has been windier than usual, thanks to stronger and more frequent low-pressure systems and their relative proximity to areas of high pressure. Across central New Zealand, October had eight days where the winds… [Read More]
High winds force a break with tradition
Kaweka J anniversary tramp, Saturday 11 October 2025 Banner Photo: The track criss-crosses the Makahu stream for a short while The planned tramp to Kaweka J was abandoned on arrival at Makahu car park. A couple had just descended from Dominie bivvy and told us the winds were very strong and forecast to get stronger…. [Read More]
Life in the (very) slow lane: We walk the $824m highway trail
Te Ahu Turanga Highway, 13km Woodville to Ashhurst walkway, Saturday 5 July 2025 Banner Photo: The Manawatu River, the new highway and bridge sculpture We broke new ground on 5 July, and discovered an amazing walk with features that most passing motorists miss. It runs alongside the recently completed $824 million highway between Ashhurst and Woodville…. [Read More]
On Wednesdays, summer is cancelled
Bell Rock, Taraponui, Wednesday 21 January 2025 Banner Photo: Olearia Akepiro (top) and Rewarewa (bottom) Our first Wednesday tramp of the year was to Bell Rock and along to Taraponui, one of my favourites. But the Wednesday weather curse struck again and we were reduced to a two-hour walk around Boundary Stream. Heavy drizzle and… [Read More]
Winter woes on the low-level Kaiarahi track
Mackintosh Hut, lower Kaiarahi Track, Saturday 31 August 2024 Banner Photo: Crossing the Kaiarahi Creek The last day of winter brought with it typical strong winds and rain at lunchtime. It wasn’t going to affect the day party too much as we were staying low-level, from Mackintosh to Lakes car parks. The weekend party came… [Read More]
Old Manson Hut – an historical gem
Kiwi Mouth Hut – Manson Hut – Kiwi Saddle Hut, Labour Weekend, 20-23 October 2023 Banner Photo: The interior of Old Manson Hut – Beds ‘R Us, this is not Studying the map in the Lakes car park, it quickly became clear the planned four-day tramp needed modifying. Plan B was agreed: leave out Rocks… [Read More]
Whio and big fish galore in the mighty Mohaka
Te Puia, Saturday 9 September 2023 Banner Photo: Taken by Julian A sobering reminder of Cyclone Gabrielle’s fury leaving her mark on the landscape is very evident on the drive to Puketitiri and beyond. As there was a group of five interested in doing the Makino route to Te Puia, Di decided to complete her… [Read More]
Destruction, dizzy heights and dazzling views on a gin-clear day
Galbraith Hut – Taraponui, Wednesday 19 July 2023 Banner Photo: Galbraith Hut, an historic treasure What a wonderful day, climbing the dizzy heights of the Maungaharuru Range, from Waitara Station on the slopes above the Mohaka River, past Galbraith Hut to the communication towers upon Taraponui – at 1308m, the highest point of the range…. [Read More]
Our suburban stroll is an unreserved mud-fest
Havelock North reserves and Te Mata Peak for Solstice walk, Wednesday 21 June 2023 Banner Photo: Views from the top of Te Mata Fourteen merry trampers travelled across to ‘the other side, over the bridge’ to Havelock North and met at Di’s place at 9.30am (post-rush hour, we had hoped) for a tour of local… [Read More]
