Trips Information
Club Activities Aug — Nov 2026
NOTE: TRIP COST ESTIMATES ARE BASED ON 11c PER KILOMETRE
Aug 8-9 Iron Gate Hut John Mellsop Brigitte Hund
Sat-Sun John has yet to visit the new (2019) version of this hut. However, the track has been closed by a large slip. Brigitte has recently negotiated the detour above the slip which is steep and rough and is keen to do it again. On day 2, weather permitting, they plan 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 earlier listed as Aug 1-2).
Fit Approx cost $ 40 including hut fee
Aug 8 or 9 Tongariro Winter Crossing Esther Williams
Sat or Sun Experience our maunga in the winter without the crowds of summer. The club has equipment: Ice axes, helmets, crampons. Snowcraft instructions will be revised. Dress warmly. Evening meal en route to home at Waimarino (National Park).
Fit Travel cost to be calculated
Aug 15 or 16 Mangaweka/Rangiwhahia Viv Dawson /Denise Gordon
Sat or Sun The Rangiwahia Bush Reserve is a happy place for Viv and Denise. They love the 53ha reserve and want to share the love with you. While Rangiwahia is the main focus, the pair will also visit Mangaweka and take in the ambience of the historic village.
Easy/mod Approx cost $30
Aug 21-23 Whakapapa Forest and Bird Lodge Esther Williams
Fri-Sun The snug lodge is ideal for chilling out and exploring the alpine environment. Two breakfasts will be provided. Please contact Esther by 7 August.
Easy Cost to be calculated
Aug 22 Midwinter Pot Luck Meal Mike Miller
Sat Mike will host our midwinter pot luck meal and chinwag session. Bring a plate of food and your own liquid refreshments. He has plates and cutlery. Mike’s address is 45 Longbeach Drive, Castlecliff, through the gates at the turning circle. Lots of parking. No need to call him, just rock up from 6.30 pm. Note: This event was originally scheduled for June.
Fun Free
Aug 22 or 23 Dawson Falls Circuit Trish Hopkins
Sat or Sun Trish will lead a circuit from Dawson Falls, going up to the Stratford Plateau, down the Enchanted Walk, back around to Waingongoro Hut and then on to Dawson Falls. This trip is familiar to many club members and one that Trish particularly likes.
Mod Approx cost $37
Aug 29 or 30 Paekakariki Escarpment Cherry and Johnny Channon
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 $40
Sept 6-8 Waiaua Gorge Hut Terry Kennedy / Dave Scoullar
Sun-Tues It’s been a while since we visited this hut in Te Papakura o Taranaki. It’s a flat walk into 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)
Sept 12 or 13 Hemi Matenga Scenic Reserve Kathy O’Donnell 027 256 4665
Sat or Sun Covering 30ha of native forest, this reserve overlooks Waikanae and has sweeping views of Kapiti Island and the coastline to the south. Kathy will take us on Te Au, the most challenging track which involves a climb to over 500m. A feature of the reserve is that this is one of the largest remaining areas of kohekohe forest in New Zealand.
Mod Approx cost $36
Sept 19 Whanganui River Walk Dave Scoullar
Sat This walk will cover the riverbank from Landguard Bluff to the south mole and back along the beach. The tide will be low and it’s a chance to catch up on progress on the port and mole works. Meet at 9am at the car park in Landguard Bluff Rd opposite Corliss Island.
Easy Free
Sept 19 or 20 Mt Tongariro Circuit Trish Hopkins / Sally Gray
Sat or Sun Following the TAC initially, Trish and Sally will divert to Mt Tongariro and then return down the ridge to pop out near Mangatepopo Hut. Hopefully, the weather behaves and allows this to be a memorable outing.
Fit Approx cost $32
Sept 22 Weekend trips meeting Dave Scoullar
Tues This is an important meeting as it will decide on weekend trips for December/February — prime tramping months. Don’t let Dee Ess tell you where you are going to go, tell him where you want to go! Turn up at 7.30pm at 7 Wairere Rd, email him at dkmscoullar@gmail com or phone him.
Sept 26 or 27 Lupton Hut and Falls Viv Dawson /Denise Gordon
Sat or Sun Viv is drawn to Lupton Hut, not surprisingly as she helped build it. The hut is in Tongariro National Park near Blyth Hut. Our leaders will also look in on Lupton Falls. A lovely bush area with the bonus of a second waterfall, Waitonga, which the group will go past.
Easy Approx cost $30
Oct 3 Whangaehu Bridge Peter Waugh
Sat A visit to the new Whangaehu River swing bridge in June found it only partly built, so now is the chance to see and taste the Real Deal with Peter. It will be the second longest bridge of its type in the country, therefore crossing will be an interesting experience. Peter will also combine the trip with some beach or Whitiau Reserve walking. Stratford Tramping Club may join us.
Easy Approx cost $6
Oct 4 Old-timers’ Afternoon Sandra Rogers
Sun This is the afternoon when the stories flow and there’s a warm glow of nostalgia. Note that this year the eagerly-awaited event moves to a new date and a new venue, Sandra’s home at 1 Lancewood Place on St John’s Hill. You don’t have to be a veteran tramper and past members are also welcome. No need to phone, just come along from 2pm.
Fun Free
Oct 10 Waitahinga Trails Esther Williams / Shane Wilson
Sat Join Esther and Shane for a stroll around our wonderful Waitahinga Trails. This trip will also double as a spring clean for the trails, so bring along secateurs, loppers or saws. Stratford Tramping Club has been invited.
Easy/mod Approx cost $10
Oct 10-15 Waikaremoana Great Walk Kathy O’Donnell
Sat-Thurs The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is a 46km hike which, traverses pristine podocarp rainforest, secluded beaches and the dramatic Panekaire Bluff. If you haven’t experienced it, sign on soon with Kathy.
Mod Cost to be calculated
Oct 11-14 Kawekas Circuit Rozy Rawlinson
Sun-Wed Rozy plans a 4-5 day trip in the Kawekas — a circuit via Manson, overnighting at Kiwi Mouth Hut, Rocks Ahead Hut and Studholme Hut from the Lakes car park. She describes it as a tough trip and has four people interested. She can’t have more (unless they drop out) as the huts only accommodate four but you can go on the waiting list.
Fit Cost to be calculated
Oct 17 or 18 Palmerston North Walkways Pam Phease
Sat or Sun The Palmerston North walkways in the vicinity of Massey University and Summerhill are regulars on our programme but they retain their popularity, so join Pam for a good day out.
Easy Approx cost $20
Oct 24, 25 or 26 Tongariro River Trail Margaret Wright
Sat, Sun or Mon Situated at Turangi, this flat trail offers an interesting and always popular circuit walk with the added attraction of a chance to experience the new suspension bridge which replaces the Major Jones bridge. A good way to mark Labour Weekend.
Easy/Mod Approx cost $45
Oct 24-26 Tararua Circuit Shane McCulloch
Sat-Mon Shane plans a Labour Weekend romp in the eastern Tararua to visit some huts we haven’t been to in recent years. Starting at Walls Whare, he will go to Neill Forks hut on the first day, then back to Cone hut or Tutuwai hut and thence to Walls Whare on day three.
Fit Cost to be calculated
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