Trips Information

Club Activities November 2026 to February 2027

Oct 31 Taranaki Gardens Sandra Rogers

Sat The Taranaki Garden Festival features over 40 public and private gardens ranging from expansive country estates to inner-city sub-tropical rainforests. The Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival runs concurrently highlighting dozens of alternative gardens. With plenty to choose from, Sandra will lead her annual tour of assorted gardens. Bring $ for entries plus morning tea and lunch. 8.30 start.

Easy Cost to be calculated

Nov 7 Venturing to Ventura John Mellsop

Sat We will join the Hutt Valley Tramping Club to visit the remains of a Ventura bomber near Mick (877m) in the western Tararua. Four airmen died in the crash following WW2 and and the wreck was not found for three years. Our club went there in 1993 so we are well overdue for a repeat. We cross farm land, old logging tracks and an unmarked ridge, so be prepared for some off-track tramping.

Med/fit Approx cost $32

Nov 8-15 Waikato Walks Jacky Evans

Sun-Sun Jacky’s latest week-long walks tour is focussed on the Waikato, based at Te Awamutu. She plans day walks around Pirongia, Kawhia and Raglan. The trip is full but you are welcome to go on the waiting list.

Easy Cost to be calculated

Nov 14 or 15 Deadman’s Track Viv Dawson /Denise Gordon

Sat or Sun The Deadman’s Track in the western Ruahine is a reasonably demanding but ultimately satisfying loop track also taking in Rangi Hut. Nearly 14km long, it's a beautiful tramp with great views but be prepared for all four seasons and a multitude of shrubs to forestry environments.

Fit Approx cost $32

Nov 15-17 Eastern Ruahine Circuit Lyneke Onderwater

Sun-Tues Lyneke plans a circuit which we haven’t done for a few years taking in Longview, Makaretu, Happy Daze and Awatere huts. It’s a long drive but this is great tramping country and she may decide to extend the trip by a day.

Mod Approx cost $50 (transport)

Nov 21 Pouakai Plane Crash Sally Gray

Sat We plan to team up with the Stratford Tramping Club to visit the remains of Oxford NZ277, an air force plane with a four man crew which disappeared on an exercise off the Taranaki coast in 1942. It wasn’t found for 32 years in the then Egmont National Park off Mangorei Rd. We will traverse old hunting trails in the park and return via Pouakai Hut.

Mod/fit Approx cost $44

Nov 28 or 29 TA Trail Near Levin Dave Taylor

Sat or Sun In the past we have done the TA from the Mangahao Valley to the back of Levin and Dave has it back on the agenda, hopefully as a crossover. He has had an explore from the Levin end and says the track has been improved. Be prepared for a number of shallow stream crossings and a reasonably long day.

Mod/fit Cost to be calculated

Dec 4-6 Taumarunui Weekend Cherry and Johnny Channon

Fri-Sun                   Our annual visit with the Taumarunui Tramping Club. Friday afternoon 5km walk around the Te Maire bush reserve. Saturday a new farm walk with views of the Ruapehu landscape followed by the evening BBQ. Sunday on the way home walks from the Whakapapa village on the Tawhai falls, Silica Springs and Whakapapanui tourist tracks. Accommodation is at the Hikumutu Lodge. Bunk room $45 per night. 

Easy/mod               Cost to be calculated

Dec 5/6  Lunch at Zeke’s Hut Terry Kennedy

Sat or Sun              This is a standard four-bunk hut in the Hihitahi Forest Sanctuary south of Waiouru, built in 2007 to replace another hut nearby. It’s a 2.5 hour walk from the road, initially across farm land and then into the bush. Some climbing. The total walk is a good leg stretch of just over 12km.

Mod        Approx cost $27

Dec 7      Weekend Trips Meeting Dave Scoullar

Mon                        Time to ponder our weekend trips for March to May. We want to take you places you want to go to, so tell us where they are! Turn up at 7.30pm at 7 Wairere Rd. Or email Dave at dkmscoullar@gmail.com, or phone him.

Dec 12/13             Kapakapanui Trish Hopkins

Sat or Sun              The Kapakapanui Track is a serious 12-13km loop track. Expect numerous river crossings and lots of climbing but also lots of rewards with goblin forest and terrific views of the Tararua Ranges, including Mt Hector and out to Kapiti Island (if the clouds co-operate). No wonder its one of Trish’s favourites.

Fit   Approx cost $39

Dec 12-13             Iron Gate Hut John Mellsop / Brigitte Hund

Sat-Sun                   John has yet to visit the new (2019) version of this hut. The track has been closed by a large slip but Brigitte has negotiated the detour above the slip which is steep and rough and is keen to do it again. On day two, weather permitting, the plan is to exit via the Ruahine range to Tunupo and back to the van. Enjoy native bush, a beautiful river and hopefully extensive views on high ridge travel. This trip was originally scheduled for August.

Fit   Approx cost $33 (transport only)

Dec 13-16             Mangapurua Valley and Beyond Jill Burton

Sun-Wed               A chance for a scenic hour-long jet boat ride and to walk through two valleys known for their post-WW1 farm settlements. We will overnight at Whakahoro, jet boat to the Mangapurua Landing and then walk up the valley to Johnson’s shelter. Next day continue to the trig and on into the Kaiwhakauka Valley to Mosley’s shelter. On day four return to Whakahoro and then home.

Fit            Cost to be calculated

Dec 19   Moanaroa Beach Dave Scoullar

Sat                       This beach near Scott’s Ferry has been visited by us a number of times. We will start with a walk through a pine forest and then come back down the beach towards the Rangitikei River mouth. The last time we did this many clubbies had a swim, so bring your togs for a possible dip. We will also visit the grave of Bess, the WWl war horse.

Easy/mod     Approx cost $23

Jan 2/3   Climb Hauhungatahi Trish Hopkins /Viv Dawson

Sat/Sun                  Kick off 2027 in style by climbing this extinct volcano overlooking Erua on the edge of Tongariro National Park. Wander through a designated Wilderness Area and take in the spectacular views. Taumarunui Tramping Club is invited to join us.

Fit   Approx cost $30

Jan 9/10                 Wilkies Pools - Kapuni Lodge Shane Wilson

Sat or Sun              After being thwarted by bad weather, Shane is having another go at this circuit from Dawson Falls which takes us up the stream from Wilkies Pools to the lodge and then back to Dawson Falls on the RMT.

Mod        Approx cost $35

Jan 16/17              Paekakariki Escarpment Mike Miller / Margaret Wright

Sat or Sun                    The Paekakariki Escarpment tramp of 11km takes us high above the coast road and rail line and is part of the Te Araroa Trail. It offers beautiful views of Kapiti Island and the South Island and is a firm favourite with club members. Bring a Gold Card for the train trip.

Mod        Approx cost $43

Jan 17-18               Trains Hut Kathy O’Donnell / Terry Kennedy

Sun-Mon                FMC’s Love Our Huts campaign encourages clubs to choose a hut, head in for a trip, give it a spring clean, check how it's holding up and report back. We have chosen Trains Hut for our attention, so join Kathy and Terry in visiting this hut with a long association with the WTC at the top end of the Waitotara Valley.

Mod/fit Approx cost $21 (transport only)

Jan 23/24/25        Syme Hut Kathy O’Donnell

Sat, Sun or Mon    Over previous summers Kathy has led summit climbs of Taranaki and Ruapehu and now she’s back on the Taranaki Maunga for a climb to Syme Hut, situated at 1940m on Panitahi (formerly Fanthams Peak). At around 8.5 km return, with over 1000m elevation gain / descent, this is a challenging tramp but with the promise of amazing views across to towering Taranaki and out over the plains.

Fit   Approx cost $35

Jan 30/31              Lunch at Mangatepopo Hut Bruce Thomas

Sat or Sun              We have rarely walked the track between Whakapapa Village and Mangatepopo Hut as it had become very degraded. It was further damaged in the recent fires which swept TNP. Now DOC reports it has made extensive repairs to the track and Bruce will check these out in a tramp from the village. Taumarunui Tramping Club is invited to join us.

Mod        Approx cost $38

Jan 31-Feb 2         Waiaua Gorge Hut Terry Kennedy / Dave Scoullar

Sun-Tues                Rained out in September, we are having another go at this hut in

Te Papakura o Taranaki which we have not recently visited. It’s a flat walk in to the hut and the following day we will follow the Round the Mountain Track to view Brames Falls. A good entry level tramp for anyone wishing to experience overnighting in a national park.

Mod        Approx cost $44 (transport only)

Feb 6      Pot Luck Meal Suzanne Roberts / Robert Lakeland

Sat                       Gather at Suzanne and Robert’s beautiful riverside home for a pot luck meal. They will supply plates, cutlery and glasses, so just bring a dish of food and your own drinks. Togs too, for a swim in their pool. The event kicks off at 6pm at 3 Riverbank Road, Whanganui East but come earlier if you want to swim. No need to call, just turn up.

Feb 6/7  Weraweraonga Dave Taylor

Sat or Sun              The paper road at the end of Weraweraonga Road near Waitotara was a favourite of Basil Hooper but we haven’t been there much lately. Dave will rectify that. This pleasant there-and-back walk takes in bush and farm land.

Mod        Approx cost $16

Feb 13/14             White Elephant Bridge Peter Waugh / Peter Panton

Sat or Sun              This is a 4km return bush walk from the Makatote Viaduct to the remains of a historic 158m long 26m high wooden road bridge which was built in 1886 and never used. We last did this with the Taumarunui Tramping Club in 2021. As it is a relatively short walk, we may have time for another in the area to be decided on the day.

Mod                        Approx cost $32

Feb 14-15              Island Forks Hut Lyneke Onderwater

Sun-Mon                This is a two-bunk DOC biodiversity hut in the Tararua used mainly by members of Project Kaka. There is no record of our club ever visiting it, so here’s a chance to break new ground with Lyneke as she pursues her goal of visiting every hut in the range. She aims to make her way there via the Mick Track behind Otaki, followed by some interesting and demanding off-track tramping.

Fit   Approx cost $33

Feb 20/21             Ōpunakē Walkway Pam Phease

Sat or Sun              This is the longest of the formal South Taranaki walks and takes you through beautiful lake and beach scenery. It travels around Ōpunakē Lake and across Ōpunakē Walkway heads, providing views of Te Namu Pā, Taranaki Maunga and the coastline. Distance: 7km. Time to complete: 3-4 hrs. Bring your togs for a swim, too.

Easy        Approx cost $34