Previous Tramps (2024)

Sun 14 Jan

Upper Otira Valley

Grade: Moderate

Starting from the carpark just west of the summit of Arthurs Pass, this is an attractive walk up over the moraine and following a contour track through subalpine scrub and tussock. Past the footbridge an unmarked track continues to the basin at the foot of Mt Rolleston. Some great mountain views.

Sunday 21 January

Pinchgut Hut

Grade: Easy-Moderate

This day trip to Pinchgut hut crosses the Okuku river then follows a mostly flat track to the hut (3 hours each way). If the weather is good there is a deep swimming hole where we can stop for a swim.

Sunday 28 January

Lake Heron, Harrison's Bight

Grade: Easy-Moderate

Destination has changed to Lake Heron Harrison's Bight, a shorter trip than Double Hut.This trip is better suited to the current hot weather.Come prepared for a swim in the lake.

Sat 3 - Sun 4 Feb

Hope Kiwi or St Jacobs Hut

Grade: Moderate

Travel is up the Hope River Valley with a possible side trip to Morris Tarn and maybe the ruins of Museum Hut (private) which was burnt down earlier this year.

Sun 11 Feb

Stan Helms track - Lyttleton circuit

Grade: Easy - Moderate

We will meet at the Gondola carpark at 9am. Walk up the pipeline track to the Crater Rim track. Follow this along to the old gun emplacements. Then down into Lyttelton. Back up via Stan Helms track and return to the start via pipeline track again( or Bridle Path.)

Sunday 18 February

Temple basin (change)

Grade: Moderate

A change from previously advises "Blimit". This trip is up to Temple basin, in Arthur's Pass, with stunning views and possibly a swim at the tarn near the top, and an ice cream on the way home. start time is later: 7.30am

Sat 2 - Sun 3 March

Jollie Brook Hut

Grade: Moderate

This is a lovely summer trip with plenty of lush native bush. We will start at Sisters Stream and back track to go up the Jollie Brook, lots of river crossings but not of challenging size. Returning next day past Gabriels Hut.

Sunday 10 March

Rakaia Gorge

Grade: Easy

An easy walk up the Rakaia Gorge from the inland road bridge. We will hike to the far end of the walkway then to Terrace Downs via cross country route.

Sunday 17 March

Castle Hill & Cave Stream

Grade: Easy (+)*

NOTE: Date Change In the morning we will explore the rocks on Castle hill. After lunch there will be an optional traverse of the cave or another walk if the water is too high.

Sunday 24 March

Sumner Godley Head Circuit

Grade: Easy

Walk over to Taylor’s Mistake and onto Godley Head. Follow the Crater Rim Walkway to Evans Pass and down the Captain Thomas track to return to Sumner.

Saturday 6 - Sun 7 April

Lake Guyon

Grade: Moderate

Leaving early Saturday morning we will drive to Fowlers Hut where we will leave the cars and tramp up Fowlers Pass (1293m), past Stanley Vale Hut and onto Lake Guyon where we will camp beside the lake.

Sunday 14 April

Mt Bruce Craigieburn Forest Park

Grade: Moderate-Hard

Starting from Cora Lyn we climb up through beech forest and tussock to the top of Mt Bruce 1630m. Have fun running down the scree slopes to Broad Stream and then follow a very pleasant bush track back to the cars. Coffee at Springfield on the way home.

Sunday 21 April

Packhorse Hut

Grade: Easy

Anniversary walk: Packhorse Hut from Kaituna Valley. A steady climb up from the carpark to enjoy the hut and the view.
Dust off your old gear and bring it along! It would be good to have some past members along with our current members.

Sunday 28 April

Cloudy Hill

Grade: Moderate

From Porter Heights Access Rd leave cars and climb Cloudy Hill. From the top follow the ridge towards Mt Lyndon. Negotiate valley to reach it, then back down the road. Short car shuttle needed.

Sunday 5 May

Tiromoana (near Waipara)

Grade: Easy

The Tiromoana Bush Walkway is a great way to experience being in a regenerating native forest complete with ponds, wetlands, and native birds as your companions. The Walkway travels through open farmland with sweeping views over the forest and the coastline to Pegasus Bay, Motunau Island and the Pacific Ocean.

Sunday 12 May

Avalanche Peak (Arthurs Pass)

Grade: Moderate

A steady climb up Scott’s track through bush and then over rocky terrain to the summit of Avalanche Peak. Excellent views over Arthurs Pass, and expect to be entertained by keas.

Saturday 18 - Monday 20 May

Yeats Ridge (West Coast)

Grade: Moderate-Hard

Yeats Ridge Hut is up the Toaroha River inland from Hokitika. (2.5 hours beyond Cedar Flats). It is a 7hr tramp to this 4-bunk hut. If the weather permits we will tramp to Crystal Biv and return to Cedar Flats on Sunday for a soak in the hot pool. Walk out and drive home on Monday. Bring tents, cookers etc. Map BV19.

Sunday 26 May

Diamond Harbour Circuit

Grade: Moderate

We take ferry to Diamond Harbour and the coastal walk to Purau Bay. 5km road climb to the Purau-Port Levy Saddle and turn off onto the Monument Track to Mt Herbert. Mt Herbert Walkway Track to return to Diamond Harbour. A full day walk.

Monday 3 June

Lake Catherine

Grade: Easy

Drive to Lake Selfe, park the cars and follow the track which takes us to Lake Ida and onto Lake Catherine. Return the same way.

Sunday 9 June

Stony Bay Banks Peninsula

Grade: Moderate

From Cabstand car park hike over Stony Bay Peak and down to Stony Bay beach via Opatuti Track. Return to Stony Bay Saddle may go up the road from Pikimai Zigzag, option to have a look along Misty Peak track as time allows.

Sunday 16 June

Port Hills Mystery Tour

Grade: Moderate

Expect a classic Vesna trip of considerable distance and it is the Port Hills – so lots of ups and downs.

Sunday 23 June

Onawe Peninsula and Curry Reserve

Grade: Easy

Planned to catch the low tide, our first walk will be to the end of Onawe peninsula to enjoy the great all round views of Akaroa Harbour. We will then drive up Long Bay Rd to Heritage park to explore the trails.

Sunday 7 July

Bealey Spur

Grade: Moderate

A steady gradient ridge climb in Arthurs Pass to Bealey Spur hut for lunch. Expect spectacular views of the snow covered ranges in the headwaters of the Waimakariri River. Return the same way.

Sunday 14 July

Ghost Creek

Grade: Easy-Moderate

The trip starts just past the Porters Pass ski field turn off and at the base of Castle Hill Peak with a crossing of the Porter River within 20 minutes of the car park ( bring sandals and a towel) this is riverbed travel day.

Sat 20- Sun 21 july

Mid-Winter at Hawdon Hut

Grade: Easy-Moderate

We will be tramping into the comfortable Hawdon Hut to celebrate a midwinter Christmas with the usual Pot luck dinner. A flat tramp up the Hawdon River but with a few river crossings.

Sunday 28 July

Te Oka Reserve Track

Grade: Easy-Moderate

This track is on Banks Peninsula and starts from the Bossu Rd. It descends 532m to sea level to access Te Oka Bay and Tumbledown Bay. A long climb to return to the cars!

Sunday 4 August

Quail Is Planting

Grade: Easy

As the hut is fully booked this will now be a day trip possibly followed by takeaways at Chris and Sally's place after.

Sat10 - Sun 11 August

Unknown Stream Hut

Grade: Moderate

Unknown Stream Hut is up the Wilberforce Valley. We will walk up the braided river requiring numerous river crossings. The hut has four bunks. Bring tents, cookers etc.

Sunday 25 August

Woolshed Creek loop

Grade: Easy-Moderate

Starting at the Jig Rd carpark carpark we will set off up the Rhyolite Track, then at the junction turn off on the track towards the picturesque Bus Stop rock overhang. Descend to Woolshed Creek for lunch.

Sunday 1 September

Ohinetahi Reserve

Grade: Easy

This is a round trip through the reserve above Governors Bay, covering eight different tracks. Initially some steady climbing but easy going after that.

Sunday 8 September

Mt Barrosa

Grade: Moderate

Plan is to climb Barrosa the return to cars by a different ridge in an anticlockwise circuit.

Sunday 15 September

Conical Knoll

Grade: Easy

Easy day trip along the Dry Acheron Track near Lake Coleridge. Across farmland and riverbed possibly a bit of a climb at the end to get a view then back the same way.

Sunday 22 September

Flag Peak & Brasnose (Akaroa)

Grade: Moderate

We will start from the central township and walk anticlockwise towards Aylmers Valley road. From the end of the road we will take Frank Worsley track ( steep but short) towards Mistery Peaks ( Flag peak and Brasenose) where we would be rewarded with spectacular views.

Sunday 29 September

Kowai river

Grade: Easy

We will follow an old vehicle track along river terraces beside the Kowai river to a private hut. As it is a fairly short distance and mostly flat so there may be time to explore further up valley before returning the same way.