26 FEBRUARY 2012

WAIROA DAM TO REPEATER STATION

Grade: Light/Family/Beginners  

Leaders: Terry & Norm Beazer, Ph: 298 7912

Departs:  Roselands 9am (Note time) 

Fare:  $5

Hunuas.  Come and join us on one of our most popular tramps and a good all-round trip for new people.  A circuit on the Suspension Bridge Track to Wairoa Dam, the Wairoa Loop Track to Repeater Road, descending on the Wairoa Valley Track.  Magnificent views over the ranges and reservoirs from the 4 lookout platforms.  Approx. 4 hours.

KIRIKIRI STREAM BATTERY

Grade: Medium

Leader:  Marlene Lynam  Ph. 298 5622

Departs:  Roselands 8am

Fare:  $18

Coromandels.  Starting from the Neavesville Valley, we head up the 4WD road and intercept a bush track over to the Kirikiri Basin.  We will be visiting a rare but fairly intact four stamper battery built in 1867 and see other gold-mining relics in the surrounding area.  Return via the same route.  An interesting day into an area which is “off the beaten track”. 

4 MARCH 2012

MARAETAI BEACH TO PINE HARBOUR – CYCLING OPTION         

Leaders:  Phil Waterhouse & Elizabeth Thomson – Ph: 298 6358   

Eastern Suburbs.  For a unique coastal experience, we are offering a cycle trip from Maraetai Beach to Beachlands and Pine Harbour and return.  Duration approx. 3 hours.  BYO bike.  Meet at the Maraetai Beach carpark adjacent to the toilets by the entrance to the Maraetai Beach Boat Club at 9.30am.  Please phone the leaders for more information.  

PINE HARBOUR TO MARAETAI BEACH – TRAMPING OPTION

Grade: Light/Medium

Leaders: Russell & Dianne Miller, Ph. 536 5065

Departs: Roselands 9am or meet at the car park adjacent to Pepperjack’s Restaurant,    Jack Lachlan Drive, Pine Harbour Marina, at 9.30am Fare:  $5

Eastern Suburbs.  Take in the outstanding views of the Hauraki Gulf and Waiheke Island on an impressive new 6km coastal walkway/cycleway connecting Maraetai and Beachlands.  From Beachlands, the pathway meanders along the coast passing through the Leigh Auton Reserve and crosses the Te Puru Bridge, an award-winning bridge in landscape architecture, on the eastern side of Omana Beach.  Please phone the leaders for more information.

11 MARCH 2012

MERCER BAY

Grade: Light

Leader: Trevor Sayer, Ph: 266 5511

Departs: Roselands 8.10am / Papatoetoe 8.30am (Leader at Papatoetoe)

Fare: $14

Waitakeres.   One of the best coastal walks in the Auckland area.  A trip along the clifftops and through the bush between Karekare and Piha.  Magnificent views into hidden Mercer Bay (only accessible by boat) and sweeping vistas of the wild west coast.  Towering and dramatic volcanic cliffs drop hundreds of metres into a wild sea.  Te Ahua Point is a superb lookout and once a pa site.

PONGA ROAD/SYMONDS STREAM

Grade: Medium – Medium Plus

Leader: Peter Jenkins, Ph: 299 6234

Departs: Roselands 8.30am

Fare: $5

Hunua area.  We start from the leader’s property on Ponga Road, climb down through mature bush to Ponga/Symonds Stream which we then follow, ending our tramp past the waterfall and swimming hole.  Apart from the streambed, this tramp is unmarked and unformed and the best path will include tramping in the streambed and/or through thickets of supplejack and groundcover – sometimes on ‘all fours’.  A fun day, but be prepared to rough it.  Approx. 5 hours.  Please phone the leader if you intend coming on this tramp.

18 MARCH 2012

KARAMU WALKWAY

Grade: Light/Medium   

Leader: Phil Waterhouse, Ph: 298 6358

Departs: Roselands 8am      

Fare: $23

Waikato.  Starting at Four Brothers Scenic Reserve, a moderate climb through remnant native bush leads to the reserve’s southern boundary and across open hill-country farmland along the main ridge of the Kapamahunga Range to Old Mountain Road and beyond.   Superb 360 degree views and impressive sculptured limestone bluffs are features of this walk near Mt Pirongia.

THOMPSONS TRACK TO DC3 CRASH SITE

Grade: Medium Plus

Leader: Tony Gibson, Ph: 279 9115

Departs: Roselands 7am (note time)

Fare: $25

Kaimais.  Thompsons Track is an old trail developed as a road across the ranges and ascends the Kaimai foothills on an easy gradient to the summit.  At the summit/saddle, we follow the North/South Track heading south and onto the old North/South route which will lead us to the base of Ngatamahinerua and the DC3 crash site.  Great views over Waikato/BOP.  A long day, approx. 8 hours plus travel.  Please phone the leader if you intend coming on this tramp.

EXTRA             EXTRA               EXTRA      

SATURDAY ^24th MARCH 2012

 We are organising another kayaking trip, this time in our own backyard, between Slippery Creek at Drury and Hingaia Bridge at Karaka.  This is a new kayaking adventure on Auckland’s doorstep and offers a varied and interesting journey which winds through wetlands and estuarine waters, exploring the far-eastern upper reaches of Manukau Harbour.  The trip will also include an island stopover.  These tidal waters were once a busy corridor for Maori and European settlers. A variety of birds can be seen including dotterel, heron and royal spoonbill.

Assembly place and time: Slippery Creek Reserve Carpark, Great South Road, Drury, no later than 12.15 pm.

Cost: $40 per person (for a group of 16) in a single or double kayak.  Approx. 2 hours paddling time. 

Please phone the organiser, Richard Hill Ph. 266 6189 for further information and to book in for this trip or enter your name in the Red Weekend Trip Book with payment in advance of $40.  Maximum of 16, so first in first served.

25 MARCH 2012

POINT VIEW RESERVE, BOTANY

Grade: Light      

Leader: Jill Maw, Ph: 262 4165

Departs: Roselands 8.30am / Papatoetoe 8.50am (Leader at Papatoetoe)

Fare: $5

Manukau.  Starting opposite Botany Town Centre, head up through the reserve on a formed path.  This is a 29 hectare natural heritage reserve comprising native forest, scrub and grassland.  A road walk to the trig on the highest point of the ridgeline, where the views over Auckland are expansive and breathtaking.  Circuit along bush paths, then retrace steps back to cars.  Approx. 4 hours.

WAITAWHETA HUT

Grade: Medium

Leader: Geoff Glover. Ph: 299 6136

Departs: Roselands 7.30am

Fare: $23

Northern Kaimais.    From Franklin Road, a good track leads up the Waitawheta Valley initially through farmland then beautiful regenerating bush following the historic Waitawheta Tramway on a gentle gradient track to the Waitawheta Hut.  Spectacular and rewarding scenery through a gorge section, volcanic bluffs, 6 river crossings (3 now bridged), see historical artifacts.  Approx. 6 hours return and suitable for light trippers who are prepared to extend themselves.

1 APRIL 2012

WAHARAU RIDGE LOOP TRACK

Grade: Light

Leader: Leader on the Day

Departs: Roselands 8.30am

Fare: $10

Eastern Hunuas.  Initially accompanying the medium group, this track ascends the foothills of the Hunua’s through regenerating and mature forest. We will stop for lunch in a clearing on the main ridge, take in the panoramic views overlooking the Firth of Thames and Coromandels, and descend.  Approx. 4 hours, 14kms.

WAHARAU TO ADAMS LOOKOUT

Grade: Medium

Leader: Maureen Ralph, Ph: 268 2071

Departs: Roselands 8.30am

Fare: $10

Eastern Hunuas.  From Waharau Regional Park, a fairly long and steady climb up the eastern foothills of the Hunua’s on the Waharau Ridge Loop Track and Kohukohunui Track to Adams Lookout (583m).  A variety of bush, rewards of far reaching views of the Firth of Thames and Coromandels, and if you are lucky, Mt Ruapehu on a fine clear day.  Return via the same route.  Approx. 5 – 6 hours.