Trips Information

Club Activities February - August 2026

 NOTE: TRIP COST ESTIMATES ARE BASED ON 11c PER KILOMETRE

 May 7-11     Shutes Hut Revisited Shane McCulloch

Thur-Mon            After one successful circuit in the northern Ruahine Shane will try again. He will overnight at Shutes Hut (twice), Ruahine Hut and Diane Hut on an interesting journey in a part of the country seldom visited by our club. Highly recommended by those on the 2024 trip and a new opportunity for those on the aborted 2025 trip.

Fit                  Approx cost $43 ($10 huts)

 May 9/10     Waitotara Valley Historic Dorothy Symes

Sat or Sun          No one in our club knows the upper Waitotara Valley as well as Basil Hooper and he’ll give us an insider’s tour which will include visiting his family’s homestead, the quaint wee church at Ngamatapouri and the Waitotara River rapids at the top end beyond Larsen’s farm. A very relaxing but informative day.

Easy              Approx cost $20

May 16/17   Mania Track Dave Taylor

Sat or Sun       This track in the western Ruahine has grown in popularity in the club in recent times. Dave will take the team over farmland into magnificent bush and climb steadily up to the start of the tussocky open slopes of this wonderful range.

Mod/fit        Approx cost $25

May 23/24  Mangaone Walkway Kathy O’Donnell

Sat or Sun      This is a pleasant walkway in low hill country east of Waikanae. It follows an old tramway and was historically known as Reikorangi Track. Kathy will take us out and back again from the Waikanae end so we can enjoy the bush and avoid the tedious road walking at the northern end.

Easy/mod     Approx cost $33

 May 23-24   Taranaki/Gourmet Weekend Dave Scoullar

Sat-Sun        Our annual weekend based at the Camp House at North Taranaki in 2025 was such a success we’re returning again. We will do some walks in the vicinity and, of course, enjoy a fabulous shared gourmet dinner with each member on the trip bringing something exquisite! Wear something really colourful, even outrageous, for the feast. A traditionally wonderful weekend.

Easy/mod     Cost to be calculated

May 7–11 Shutes Hut Revisited Shane McCulloch

Thurs–Mon After one successful circuit in the northern Ruahine, Shane will try again. He will overnight at Shutes Hut (twice), Ruahine Hut and Diane Hut on an interesting journey in a part of the country seldom visited by our club. Highly recommended by those on the 2024 trip and a new opportunity for those on the aborted 2025 trip.

Fit Approx cost $57 ($10 huts)

May 9 or 10 Waitotara Valley Historic Dorothy Symes

Sat or Sun No one in our club knows the upper Waitotara Valley as well as Basil Hooper, and he’ll give us an insider’s tour including his family’s homestead, the quaint wee church at Ngamatapouri, and the Waitotara River rapids beyond Larsen’s farm. A very relaxing but informative day.

Easy Approx cost $27

May 16 or 17 Mania Track Dave Taylor

Sat or Sun This track in the western Ruahine has grown in popularity. Dave will take the team over farmland into magnificent bush, climbing steadily to the tussocky open slopes of this wonderful range.

Mod/fit Approx cost $33

May 23 or 24 Mangaone Walkway Kathy O’Donnell

Sat or Sun A pleasant walkway in low hill country east of Waikanae. It follows an old tramway, historically known as Reikorangi Track. Kathy will lead from the Waikanae end to enjoy the bush and avoid tedious road walking.

Easy/mod Approx cost $44

May 23–24 Taranaki/Gourmet Weekend Dave Scoullar

Sat–Sun Our annual weekend at the Camp House at North Egmont was such a success we’re returning. Expect local walks and a fabulous shared gourmet dinner—bring something exquisite and wear something colourful, even outrageous!

Easy/mod Cost to be calculated

May 30, 31, Rangi Hut Viv Dawson / Denise Gordon

or June 1 The easiest route to the Ruahine tops. A well-formed track and a great lunch spot

Sat Sun or Mon with panoramic views. Viv and Denise will choose the best weather day over King’s Birthday weekend.

Easy/mod Approx cost $32

June 6 New Whangaehu Bridge Brian Doughty

Sat A chance to check out the new swing bridge and Te Araroa extension over farmland, linking with Whangaehu Beach Rd and reducing future road walking.

Easy Approx cost $6

June 6 Quiz Night Dave Scoullar

Sat The upstairs lounge at St John’s Club hosts our annual trivia night. Form a team or join others. Supper provided. Starts 7pm—bragging rights and a Moro up for grabs.

Fun Free

June 9 Trips Meeting Dave Scoullar

Tues Meet at 7 Wairere Rd, 7.30pm, to plan September–November trips or share ideas with Dave. Your input matters.

June 12–14 Mangaturuturu Weekend John Mellsop

Fri–Sun Two nights in our club hut exploring the valley. Plans include another attempt to visit the Kaka plane crash site. Book early for bunks.

Mod/fit Approx cost $36

June 13 or 14 Whareroa Farm Tracks Margaret Wright

Sat or Sun Tracks opposite Queen Elizabeth Park near Paekakariki. A network of hillside routes shared with bikers and horse riders—well overdue for a return visit.

Mod Approx cost $45

June 20 or 21 Te Ara Mangawhero Terry Kennedy

Sat or Sun A developing walking/cycling track from Ohakune Junction up the mountain. A varied and scenic loop showcasing Tongariro National Park.

Mod Approx cost $31

June 27 Midwinter Pot Luck Meal Mike Miller

Sat Bring a plate and your own drinks to Mike’s place (45 Longbeach Drive, Castlecliff) from 6.30pm. Plates and cutlery provided.

Fun Free

June 27 or 28 Fern Walk Pam Phease

Sat or Sun A favourite in Totora Reserve, Pohangina Valley. Ancient bush, sweeping Ruahine views, and possibly nearby loop tracks if time allows.

Easy/mod Cost to be calculated

July 4 Fisher’s Track Bruce Thomas

Sat A scenic walk through Erua Forest near National Park with views of Tongariro volcanoes and the Retaruke Valley. Return after lunch.

Easy/mod Approx cost $37

July 10–12 Ruahine Romp Shane McCulloch

Fri–Sun A classic circuit: Iron Gate Hut, then Longview or Top Gorge Hut, exiting via Tunupo. Fingers crossed for good weather.

Fit Approx cost $36

July 10, 11 or 12 Palmy to Linton Dorothy Symes

Fri, Sat or Sun A relaxed riverside walk along He Ara Kotahi, featuring farmland, bush, pā sites and the impressive 194m bridge.

Easy Approx cost $24

July 18 or 19 Old Coach Road Adrian Pike

Sat or Sun A historic coach route turned walking/cycling trail with viaducts, signage and beautiful bush. A club favourite.

Easy/mod Approx cost $31

July 25 Curtis Falls / Patea Loop Shane Wilson

Sat Visit Curtis Falls in Egmont National Park then return via Patea Loop Track. Time for a hot drink at Stratford Mountain House.

Mod Approx cost $40

Aug 1 Westmere / Matipo Walks Dave Scoullar

Sat Local walkways for an easy leg stretch. Meet 9am at Save Mart carpark—back by lunchtime.

Easy Free

Aug 1–2 Iron Gate Hut

Sat–Sun John Mellsop / Brigitte Hund

A challenging trip via a steep detour around a slip, with potential exit via the Ruahine Range to Tunupo.

Fit Approx cost $45

Aug 8 or 9 Tongariro Winter Crossing Esther Williams

Sat or Sun Experience the maunga in winter. Club gear available; snowcraft refreshed. Evening meal en route home.

Fit Travel cost to be calculated

Aug 15 or 16 Mangaweka / Rangiwahia Viv Dawson / Denise Gordon

Sat or Sun Explore Rangiwahia Bush Reserve and visit historic

Mangaweka village.

Easy/mod Approx cost $33

Aug 16 Old-timers’ Afternoon Dorothy Symes

Sun An afternoon of stories and nostalgia at Dorothy’s home,

77 Liverpool St, from 2pm.

Fun Free

Aug 22 or 23 Dawson Falls Circuit Trish Hopkins

Sat or Sun A popular circuit via Stratford Plateau, Enchanted Walk, and Waingongoro Hut.

Mod Approx cost $40

Aug 28-30 Whakapapa Forest & Bird Lodge Esther Williams

Fri–Sun Stay at Whakapapa Village lodge with time to explore. Two breakfasts provided—register by 7 August.

Easy Cost to be calculated

Aug 29 or 30 Paekakariki Escarpment Cherry & Johnny Channon

Sat or Sun An 11km coastal escarpment walk on Te Araroa with stunning views of Kapiti Island and beyond.

Mod Approx cost $44