Monday 22nd April 2024

Damper Bay  Millennium Track

We will meet at the usual car park on the lakefront at Roys Bay, which will also be our starting point.To Damper Bay and returning the same way will be an 18km hike.It is a moderate track along the lake with a few small hills.

It is a very popular track for cyclists so beware of the blind corners and keep to the left side of the track.

Edgewater cafe makes for a convenient coffee stop on the way back.

Leader Julie Parr

Monday Walk 15th April 2024

Young Australian Waterwheel Bannockburn

We meet at the waterfront at 9.30 and head for Bannockburn.

Drive over the Bannockburn Bridge and continue straight ahead for approx 4.5 kms turning right into Nevis Rd.

Driving up to Duffers Saddle, 1100 metres, stopping at the carpark on the right.

We walk along a 4wd track for 5kms dropping down to the waterwheel where we stop for lunch.On the return trip you can choose between going down into the gully to see further mining remains or follow the easier Carrick water course.Round trip approx 10-12 kms.

It is an easy to moderate hike.There is no shade so bring hat and water.

Walk Leader

Julie Parr

Monday Walk 8th April

Bush Creek Track Arrowtown

We meet at the lakefront at 9.30.We then travel to the Chinese village in Arrowtown and start our walk turning left to follow Bush Creek.This will take us up to the saddle giving us a view over the Wakatipu basin. The grade is medium with a 400 metre height gain and it is 11km return.Great walk to take in the autumn colours with a visit afterwards to the wonderful new Ayrburn development for ice cream/ coffee. 

Group Leader

Julie Parr

Mondays Walk 1st April 2024

Motatapu River Track

Meet at 9.30am usual place down by the waterfront carpark opposite McDougall Street.

Take the Glendhu Road and park in the old quarry just over the Mototapu River Bridge.

Walk to the track end at the gorge for lunch and then return. Approx 5km each way

Leader: Derek Paterson

Monday's Walk 25th March 2024

Destination: McPhies Ridge

Description: With rain forecast on and near the main divide we'll keep to the east, with a 13 km return walk along McPhies Ridge from the signposted DoC carpark on Cluden Creek Road off SH 8 at Cluden Hill. Total height gain is 380 m, with lenient gradients after a steady 200 m climb over the middle 2 km. We should have ample time for a cafe stop at Tarras on the return trip to Wanaka.

Walk Leader: Martin Unwin  

Monday's Walk 18th March 2024

Destination: Poison Creek Sculpture Project / Alfern Conservation Area

Description: A morning visit to the Poison Creek Sculpture Project above Queensbury followed by a short walk to the Alfern Conservation Area for lunch. Poison Creek has increased their collection from 12 works at the time of our last visit to 30 so is well worth a second look. The Alfern Conservation Area, a 350 m climb over 2.5 km, is a small but thriving stand of regenerating Hall's totara.

Poison Creek asks for a $15 koha per person, and has asked that this be paid online as a single lump sum. To facilitate this please have $15 in cash for me to collect and transfer to their account on behalf of the group.

Walk leader: Martin Unwin      

Monday's Walk 11th March 2024

Destination: Cairnmuir loop

Description:  The Coffee Afloat boat on Lake Dunstan has confirmed they will be open tomorrow so last Monday's walk as originally posted will now proceed tomorrow. We follow an 11 km loop over the Cairnmuir Hills above Bannockburn, climbing 250 m to a saddle overlooking the Cromwell Gorge, descending to the Cairnmuir Slip control works visible across the gorge from SH 8, and continuing on to the coffee boat on the Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail. From here it's a 6 km walk back along the cycle trail to our cars. In contrast to our usual formula with a post-walk cafe stop this gives you your latte (and optionally lunch) option at the boat.

Walk leader: Martin Unwin

Monday's Walk 4th March 2024

Stop Press

The coffee boat has just emailed to say they are closed today because of the forecast so Plan A is no longer an option. Which leaves us with Plans B and C.

Monday's Walk 4th March 2024

Despite the very heavy overnight rain forecast all the main websites suggest it should be virtually all over by 9-10 a.m. tomorrow, with just the odd spot of rain from late morning. On this basis we have Plans A, B, and C as follows:

Plan A (no rain)

Destination: Cairnmuir loop

Description:  An 11 km loop over the Cairnmuir Hills above Bannockburn, climbing 250 m to a saddle overlooking the Cromwell Gorge, descending to the Cairnmuir Slip control works visible across the gorge from SH 8, and continuing on to the Coffee Afloat boat on the Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail. From here it's a 6 km walk back along the cycle trail to our cars. In contrast to our usual formula with a post-walk cafe stop this gives you your latte (and optionally lunch) option at the boat.

Plan B (light rain)

Destination: Millennium Track

Description: A short return walk along the Millenium Track to an agreed turnaround point.

Plan C (heavy rain)

Destination: Edgewater for coffee.

Walk leader: Martin Unwin

Mondays Walk 26th February 2024

Deans Bank to Dublin Bay.

Meet at the usual spot on the lake front. 

We will go to the Albert Town campsite and follow the  Deans Bank track to the Lake Outlet area. There we join the Dublin Bay track and follow it to a suitable spot for lunch at Dublin Bay. 

We will return the same way to our cars. Forecast is for a warm day with high cloud.

Albert Town residents can meet us at the walk start if they wish.

Leader: Stephen Matheson

Mondays Walk - 19th February 2024

Fern Burn Track

Meet at 9.30am at waterfront carpark opposite McDougall street.

Drive Mt Aspiring Road to Glendhu Bay then turn left at Motatapu Road and continue 3 km to carpark on left, just before the ford.  Easy walk following up the Fern Burn stream through grassy flats, shrubland and beech forest for about 2 hours (3-4km) – lunch stop somewhere near the bridge, then return the same way.

Forecast is for a fine but windy day.

Leader: Stephen Matheson

Mondays Walk 12th Feb 2024

Newcastle Track

Meet at 9:30 at the usual spot at the lakefront. 

We will drive via the Red Bridge to the carpark on Kanes Road
Then we will follow the Newcastle Track up the true left of the Clutha River to a suitable lunch spot then return on the same track to the cars.

It is forecast to be cloudy with mild temperatures

Leader Stephen Matheson

Mondays Walk 5 February 2024

Kawerau Trail

Meet at 9:30 at the usual spot at the lakefront. 

We will drive to the Bannockburn Bridge, parking on the left just before the bridge. 
Then will follow the path up the true left of the Kawarau River, past historical mining sites, to a suitable lunch spot then return on the same track to the cars.

It is forecast to be cloudy and warm.

Leader Stephen Matheson