Kaweka J, Saturday 10 May 2025 Banner Photo: Heading back from Kaweka North Eleven keen trampers met at Park Island on a cool but potentially lovely day. The plan had been to do Makahu to Middle Hill Hut with Bruce offering to drive the van round to the other end and meet us. However, due… [Read More]

Mackintosh Hut, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 2 April 2025 Banner Photo: Enjoying the bush Eight trampers in two cars left Napier just after 7am for the Kaweka Forest Park. The weather was overcast and humid. It was decided the tops would be too challenging, with limited visibility and some sections unmarked, so we took the lower… [Read More]

Tutaekuri River- Mackintosh Hut – Donald River – Lawrence Rd, Saturday 29 March 2025 Banner Photo: The view looking SSE to the Tutaekuri River from Mackintosh Spur plateau This was a tramp of two parts. John Dobbs reports on those dropped off at the Mackintosh car park: There were nine keen trampers and a mild,… [Read More]

Kiwi Saddle, Kaweka Forest Park, Saturday 18 January 2025 Banner Photo: Amelia and Darran at the Cameron/Kiwi Mouth/Kiwi Saddle junction There were just five so we went in one vehicle – and had a few laughs when picking up newcomer Darran. Thinking we were outside his house, and with no sign of life, I was… [Read More]

Middle Hill, Camp Spur, North Whetū biv, Makino Ridge, Kaweka Forest Park, Saturday 7 December 2024 Banner Photo: North Whetū biv We made an early start: at 5.30, four trampers headed out of town for Middle Hill car park. By 7am, with boots on, Fiona, Ali, James and Campbell set off towards Middle Hill Hut…. [Read More]

Kaweka loop, Wednesday 13 November 2024 Banner Photo: John D looking towards Mt Meany in the north-west from the Smith Russell Track With a pretty big day ahead, we left town a bit earlier, the five in two cars meeting up at Omahu. Conditions were great: mild, no wind, some clouds, with an easterly breeze… [Read More]

Te Puia, Kaweka FP, Wednesday 30 October 2024 Banner Photo: At the Mangatainoka hot pools Six of us were all early at the meeting point, so able to leave before 7.30am. The road from the Middle Hill car park was quite rutted and full of potholes – we did notice, however, that the deepest ruts… [Read More]

Kohinga, Kaweka Forest Park, Wednesday 4 September 2024 Banner Photo: Check out the wilding pines everywhere It was chilly at Park Island, but the sky looked sort of blue(ish) so we hoped the rain wouldn’t arrive until later. Johnny D drove the van and we met Graham Leech from Afoot at Omahu. Graham organises the… [Read More]

Studholme Saddle Hut, Kaweka Forest  Park,  Saturday 31 Aug/Sunday 1 Sept, 2024 Banner Photo: On arrival at Studholme Saddle Hut, pleased to get there There was a sniff of inclement weather as we drove towards the Lakes car park, intending to overnight at Studholme Saddle Hut.  Forecast strong winds on the tops had us make… [Read More]

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]