“MAKING TRACKS
with Scroggin”,
August 2026
Whanganui River City Press

Nuturing natural places

Whanganui Tramping Club members planting trees at Lake Waiau.

While the Whanganui Tramping Club’s primary focus is to encourage walking, climbing and mountaineering, among its other objects is to protect and encourage of native flora and fauna and the natural features of the country.

Looking after native flora has led to involvement with projects such as the ongoing war against pinus contorta in Tongariro National Park and removing pink ragwort in the Whitiaua Scientific Reserve near the Whangaehu River mouth.

The club also partners with the Conservation Department on other projects such as tree planting. In July members visited Lake Waiau, a dune lake between Waitotara and Waverley. Supervised by a DOC ranger, they spent the day planting 600 flax, manuka and coprosma along a bank of the lake beside open farm land.

The Whanganui Tramping Club’s weekend programme for August is:

8-9 Sat-Sun, Iron Gate Hut, leaders John and Brigitte

8 or 9 Sat or Sun, Tongariro Winter Crossing, leader Esther Williams

15 or 16 Sat or Sun, Mangaweka/Rangiwhahia, leaders Viv and Denise

21-23 Fri-Sun, Whakapapa Forest and Bird Lodge, leader Esther

22 Sat, Midwinter Pot Luck Meal, leader Mike

22 or 23 Sat or Sun, Dawson Falls Circuit , leader Trish

29 or 30 Sat or Sun, Paekakariki Escarpment, leaders Cherry and Johnny

For more information email inquiries@whanganuitramping.org.nz

The midweekers have a full programme of interesting trips every Wednesday. Those who get out on Thursday are in two groups, with a longer walks on 13 and 27 August for the TT1 group and shorter ones for the TT2 group on 6 and 20 August.

To join weekend trips call the leader by the previous Tuesday at the latest. Call by the night before for day trips. As some trips have limited numbers, leaders have the final say about who to take as they are responsible for the safety and well-being of everyone on their trips. For further information visit our website https://www.wanganuitrampingclub.net/trips

Next Club Meeting: Tuesday August 4th 2026
at the Veandercross Lounge, Whanganui Racecourse,
will feature the club’s annual photo contest.

All welcome.