Monday's Walk - 30 October 2017

Emerald Bluffs and Paddock Bay Circuit

As planned for last Monday, we will drive out along the Wanaka – Mount Aspiring Road, past Glendhu Bay, turn right into West Wanaka Road and on to the Emerald Bluffs lake access track carpark. The access track “…leads you along the eastern boundary of the Emerald Bluffs estate, around a magnificent wetland area and down to Lake Wanaka and Emerald Bay. More than 100,000 native plants, in over 60 different species, have been planted to date. The wetlands includes a lagoon with lots of birdlife and trout, and the snow-capped peaks of the Buchanan mountain range as a backdrop”.  

From Emerald Bay we follow a fisherperson’s track alongside Paddock Bay to Buchanan Rise Road and return to the carpark. 

Greg Martin

 

Monday's Walk - 23 October

Emerald Bluffs and Paddock Bay Circuit

We drive out along the Wanaka – Mount Aspiring Road, past Glendhu Bay, and turn right into West Wanaka Road and on to the Emerald Bluffs lake access track carpark. The access track “…leads you along the eastern boundary of the Emerald Bluffs estate, around a magnificent wetland area and down to Lake Wanaka and Emerald Bay. More than 100,000 native plants, in over 60 different species, have been planted to date. The wetlands includes a lagoon with lots of birdlife and trout, and the snow-capped peaks of the Buchanan mountain range as a backdrop”.

 

From Emerald Bay we follow a fisherperson’s track alongside Paddock Bay to Buchanan Rise Road and return to the carpark.

 

Greg Martin

Monday's Walk - 16 Oct 2107

John’s Creek Lookout

This is a high point above John’s Creek which gives great views across Lake Hawea towards the Hunter River valley and Corner Peak.  We park the cars at the boat ramp adjacent to the Lake Hawea camping ground, walk along the lake to John’s Creek, and then along the Timaru Creek Road for about 200  metres to the start of the Breast Hill Track.  A short climb up the track takes us to the lookout.

 

Greg Martin

Monday's Walk - 9 October 2017

The Old Cromwell Reservoir

 

The walk starts and finishes at Nichols and takes us across the bridge and down to the lookout on the Cromwell – Alex road.  We cross and walk up to the reservoir built in 1875 to provide drinking water for Cromwell. From the reservoir and its great views we walk along the top of the Cromwell Slide, check the condition of the survey pegs used to detect land movement, down into Firewood Creek and back to the Nichols Café for goodies.

 

Greg Martin

Monday's walk - 2 October 2017

Blue - Young Link Track

“The track starts at the Blue Pools car park [about 10k west of Makarora on Highway 6].  ... just after the first swing bridge, it branches to the left… it crosses the Blue Pools Bridge for great views up the river gorge.  From here the track continues through beech/tawhero forest to Rainy Flat and then opens up onto sections of farmland and bush that lead to the mouth of the Young River.” (DOC web site)  Icecreams at Makarora on return.

 

Greg Martin (5414)

Monday's Walk - 25 September 2017

 

Plan A : Nook Road and beyond

 

With the weather less than ideal last Monday, we postponed our walk alongside the Grandview Creek which runs just beyond the old Nook Road nursery in Hawea.

 

This is a beautiful walk along what is now the start of the Grandview Mountain Track. The walk rises gently for the first km or so and then climbs a little up the side of the valley along a wide and grassy farm track. Despite the recent rains, it is not at all muddy or slippery, although you will have to traverse Grandview Creek a few times at the start of the walk. So you might want to bring along a second lot of footwear to change into for your drive home.

 

It's one of those walks where you can go as far or as little as you want because we will all be returning by the same route to the DOC carpark which is located just beyond the end of Nook Road.

 

This is our last opportunity to do this walk before the track is closed for lambing.

 

Plan B : John's Creek to Lake Hawea lookout

 

If it looks like rain, then we will walk from John's Creek alongside Lake Hawea and then climb up to the lookout over the lake.

 

Leader : Brian Kusel

Monday's Walk - 18 September 2017

Grandview Mountain Track

 

Got "cabin fever" with so many rainy days of late? Then this beautiful walk should be just the ticket.

 

The walk goes from just beyond the old Nook Road Nursery in Hawea and then follows Grandview Creek for a while before heading uphill along a wide farm track to a suitable spot for lunch. The return walk downhill offers even more amazing views. About 12km in total.

 

It looks like the weather gods may be kind to us, but who knows! So make sure you bring some wet weather gear. You should also note that the lower part of the walk traverses the quite narrow Grandview Creek six times and you will definitely be getting your feet wet. So you might want to bring along a second lot of footwear.

 

We will depart the Wanaka lakefront at 9.30am as usual, then drive to nearby Hawea and up to the DOC carpark about 100 metres beyond the old Nook Road Nursery to start the walk.

 

Leader : Brian Kusel