Trips Information
Club Activities November 2025—February 2026
Nov 8 Middle Road Reserve Dave Scoullar
Sat Middle Rd is near Horopito and a few kilometres up this road is a DOC reserve with a circular track which we have visited a number of times after being introduced to it by the Taumarunui Tramping Club. The track is also used by off-road vehicles and mountain bikes and has some big puddles but it’s mostly fairly flat and has some good bush. Taumarunui Tramping Club will join us.
Easy/mod Approx cost $24
Nov 15 or 16 Walk the New Highway Pam Phease
Sat or Sun The new 11.4km highway between Ashhurst and Woodville has a walking/cycling lane. Pam walked this route before it was finished and is keen to cross the Ruahine range on foot again with the possibility of a crossover and to end the day at a cafe or at the herb farm.
Easy/mod Cost to be calculated
Nov 20-22 Waitewaewae Hut Sally Gray
Thurs-Sat Sally visited this hut in the west Tararua when she was on a five-day traverse in 2024. She wants to spend time there and on day 2 will do some exploring, perhaps going up the Otaki River or onto the tops. One for the hut baggers or for those who want to see more of the Tararua ranges. Waitewaewae has 16 bunks and costs $10 a night.
Fit Approx cost $26 (transport)
Nov 22 or 23 Mangaehuehu Hut Johnny Channon
Sat or Sun The track into this hut in Tongariro National Park has everything — a water fall (Waitonga), tarns, stream crossings, boardwalks, 3 swing bridges, beautiful bush (mainly beech trees), mountain views and the mandatory muddy patches. Join Johnny for a good leg stretch and lunch at the hut.
Mod Approx cost $25
Nov 29 or 30 Tunupo Dave Taylor
Sat or Sun At 1568m Tunupo is a high point in the western Ruahine with stunning views. We have gone up the steadily rising track many times and reached Tunupo only occasionally. Dave is keen to summit again but if you just wish to enjoy the bush and go only part way, that’s all right with him.
Mod/fit Approx cost $27
Dec 6-7 Taumarunui Weekend Dave Scoullar
Sat-Sun This year our annual visit to Taumarunui is special as we will join the TTC in celebrating their 50th birthday. On Saturday we will walk up Hikurangi or take a new farm walk to a high point. There will be short and easy walks for the less fit ones. We will stay in bunk rooms ($35) at the Hikumutu Lodge, near Taumarunui. That night the 50th will be marked with a meal, speeches and a cake cutting. On Sunday there will be an easy walk from the lodge with possibly another easy walk on the way home.
Easy/mod Cost to be calculated
Dec 9 Weekend Trips Think Tank Dave Scoullar
Tues Where do you want to go in March/April/May? Come to 7 Wairere Rd at 7.30pm and tell me about it. Or phone or email me.
Dec 11-12 Mangaehuehu Stream Waterfalls John Mellsop Graham Beaven
Thurs-Fri On a trip earlier this year Graham and John were prevented from going further up the beautiful Mangaehuehu stream by a waterfall. They plan to explore upstream where there are more waterfalls. We will base ourselves at historic Lupton hut and spend an afternoon exploring the Mangaehuehu stream above Blyth hut. There are other waterfalls to visit on the way out such as Lupton falls.
Mod Approx cost $25 plus hut fee.
Dec 13 or 14 Pukekaikiore Rozy Rawlinson
Sat or Sun Back by popular demand is a climb on the small maunga (1692m) near Mangatepopo Hut in Tongariro National Park. Rozy pioneered this trip and has led several successful climbs. A bit of rock scrambling but nothing too alarming and the views are superb. TTC is invited to join us.
Mod/fit Approx cost $30
Dec 18-20 Canoe/Tramp Esther Williams
Thurs-Sat Eight people are needed so everyone gets a chance to canoe part of the Whanganui awa and walk the Matemateaonga Track. Led by Esther, this trip was a great success last December and she wants to give more people the opportunity to enjoy the adventure. Contact her by December 1 so canoe bookings and other arrangements can be made.
Mod Cost to be calculated
Dec 20 or 21 Aramarie Trig Peter Waugh
Sat or Sun Drive to the end of Tokomaru West Road, drop down to the Kai Iwi Stream and follow for a few kilometres. Then climb up to the trig, back along the ridges to the van. About 14km. A mixture of hills and scrub with views of the Wairangi forestry operations. A new trip and close to home.
Mod Approx cost $10
Dec 27 or 28 Tongariro River Trail Dorothy Symes
Sat or Sun This mainly flat 14km loop track which starts and ends in Turangi offers great views of the Tongariro River as you wander through bush and farmland. It’s very popular with trampers and cyclists and should provide just the blow out you need following lashings of all that Christmas indulgence.
Easy/mod Approx cost $38
Jan 3 or 4 Ōtaki River Walk Margaret Wright
Sat or Sun Join Margaret on an easy outing to start the New Year. The gravel track starts from the river mouth at Ōtaki beachfront and continues past State Highway 1 all the way to a lagoon at Chrystalls Bend Walkway. Walk under regenerating native trees and enjoy views of the coastline, river and the Tararua Range. This is a new walk and a perfect follow up to the Waikanae River Walk enjoyed during 2025.
Easy Approx cost $28
Jan 8-10 Trains Hut Terry Kennedy / Dave Scoullar
Thurs-Sat The Waitotaras and Trains Hut were frequent visiting places in the early years of the club but not so much these days. Trains is reached in 4-5 hours along a 15km track which follows the Waitōtara River. The first 1 hr 30 min is on a road to the Kapara homestead site. After that the track is rough in places with high ledges above the river and several swing bridges. The Terereohaupa Falls near the six bunk newly renovated hut are worth a visit. On the second day we will explore the area and chill out.
Mod/fit Approx cost $19 (transport)
Jan 10 Climb Hauhangatahi Trish Hopkins & Viv Dawson
Sat Trish and Viv love this extinct volcano overlooking Erua on the edge of Tongariro National Park. At 1521m high, Hauhangatahi is an eroded volcano and is in a designated Wilderness Area, hence the lack of signage. They assure us that the views from the top are spectacular and worth the effort. TTC invited to join us.
Fit Approx cost $26
Jan 16-20 Cone Hut Loop from Otaki Forks Lyneke Onderwater
Fri-Tues Lyneke plans five days in the Tararuas. The trip is weather dependent as it crosses Mt Hector twice. There are steep drop offs. She will tramp to Cone Hut via Kime and Alpha huts and return to Otaki Forks via Neil Ridge, Winchcombe Bivvy and Kime Hut. A great circuit if the weather co-operates.
Fit Approx cost $31 transport
Jan 24 Wilkies Pools-Kapunui Lodge Shane Wilson
Sat This is a circuit from Dawson Falls up the stream from Wilkies Pools to pick up a track to the lodge then back to Dawson Falls on RMT. An interesting outing which was on the books this time in January 2025 but rained out. Hopefully better luck this time. We will combine with the Stratford Tramping Club.
Mod Approx cost $29
Jan 31 or Feb 1 Ruapehu Summit Kathy O’Donnell
Sat or Sun A year ago Kathy led a trip to the summit of the Taranaki maunga. This time her sights are on Ruapehu which we have not summited for some years. The trip will be up the Sky Waka— maybe able to get a lift— then on up an unmarked track passing areas like the Rock garden and waterfall section onto the summit plateau. The terrain is rugged and requires good fitness. The walk is 6-7 hours long, so will require an early morning start.
Fit Approx cost $32
Feb 7 or 8 Waitarere Beach Dave Scoullar
Sat or Sun It wouldn’t be summer without a visit to a beach and we haven’t been to Waitarere for ages. Our walk will involve forest and beach and we should be able to get to Hokio Beach further down the coast. One attraction is the remains of the Hydrabad, a square-rigged sailing ship which ran aground during a storm in 1878, though there’s not much left to see. A chance also for a swim, so bring your togs.
Easy/mod Approx cost $22
Feb 8-10 Pouakai Circuit Kathy O’Donnell
Sun-Tues Starting at the North Egmont visitor centre we will walk via the Razorback and Holly hut tracks to Holly for the first night. In the morning after a side trip to Bells Falls, we then head off to the new Pouakai Hut — 2 hours away. Our longest day will be from here past Maude and Henry Peaks back to the North Taranaki visitor centre. Note: Book Pouakai hut tickets early.
Fit Approx cost $36 (transport)
Feb 14 Mangaturuturu River Explore Peter Waugh & Peter Panton
Sat The two Peters plan to walk up this river from the new walkway bridge north of Horopito. It will be an exploratory trip which may eventually lead to a crossover from the Mangaturuturu Hut. Channel your inner adventurous spirit and join them for a walk on the wild side. TTC invited to join us.
Mod Approx cost $23
Feb 21-22 Camping at Rotokare Esther Williams & Peter McDowell
Sat-Sun We visit the delightful Rotokare Scenic Reserve frequently but this visit is a bit different as we plan to freedom camp overnight to get a fuller appreciation of the peaceful 230ha predator-free environment where we are surrounded by native and endangered flora and fauna. There will be an opportunity to do other tramps in the area with one possibility the Mangakotukutuku Falls reached through magnificent bush on the lower Maude Track.
Mod Cost to be calculated
TWILIGHT WALKS PROGRAMME 2025
The club’s twilight public walks are on again in November. All walks are on a Monday, begin at 6pm and will last up to two hours. There is no need to register, just turn up at the start point. The programme is:
Nov 3: Rozy Rawlinson will take us around Hylton Park in Aramoho, once a quarry. Over time a dedicated group of mountain bikers has developed an extensive network of tracks. The park is also popular as an adventure site for children. Rozy will show us recent developments there. Park at the entrance in Brunswick Rd.
Nov 10: Anne Condon will take us around Durie Hill. Meet at the BP on Taupo Quay and walk across the Cobham Bridge, turn left to Putiki and up the stairs by Braeburn to Hipango Tce. Up the zigzag to Taylor St, Fyfe St, Stark St to Portal St. Down the track and on to Anzac Pde and back to our cars via the City Bridge.
Nov 17: Barbara Francis will take us around St John's Hill. From the Parsons St viewpoint we will cross Great North Rd and walk around Virginia Lake, checking out the new sculpture "Legends of the Lake". We will then cross Great North Rd onto Parkes Ave, walk through the St John's Hill School grounds to Peakes Rd, onto the Ben's Pl walkway, then back up Parsons St to the viewpoint.
Nov 24: Dave Scoullar will take us on one of his favourites along the Whanganui riverbank to opposite port Castlecliff. On the way we will see some interesting artefacts including the hulls of sunken ships. The tide is out but there may be some muddy patches. Meet at the small concrete building on the riverbank just past the Army huts near the airport.