Monday 19th December 2016

Roaring Meg Pack Track

The Roaring Meg Pack Track has just be re-opened by the owners to allow public access so its a great opportunity to walk
the old pack track from Kawarau River -we leave from the carpark at Roaring Meg station up the track and lunch by a stream. The first part of the track is a little overgrown
but not for long.

Leader: Ruth Harrison

Monday 12th December

Today is the Wanaka Walkers AGM so the walk format is little different. We will have a short (approx 2 hour walk) from Beacon Point towards the outlet.
We will be back at the cars by noon for the shared lunch and AGM.

Trip Leader: Ruth Harrison

Monday 5th December

Long Gully - Bannockburn

Turn off Bannockburn village onto Domain Road. At the end is a small carpark - cross the footbridge and walk into Stewart Town - here is the original orchard, Menzies house and the remnants of his dam.

From here we set out across pasture up to Long Gully. There is a steep hill to take us to the top where we will have lunch and enjoy the views.

There is no shelter or shade on this trip - hats and water essential!

Trip Leader: Ruth Harrison

Monday's walk - 28th November

Glacier Burn - drive into Aspiring National Park to the Otago Boys Bridge. Walk to the East Matukituki on the flat, then sharply uphill to a lunch spot by Glacier Burn. Probably wet - so bring your waterproofs.
Leader: Rod McLeod

Monday's walk - 21st November

Tuohy's Gully - if you are energetic, lunch at Meg Hut.
Leader: Rod McLeod

Monday's walk 14th November

From Stevensons Road via Riko Point to Luggate red bridge, with a car shuffle.
Leader: Rod McLeod

November trip: Haast week update

With just a week to go, here are a few more details to confirm dates and times etc.

Monday 21 November, 5:30 p.m.: Drinks at Haast Top 10 to meet up and talk about the week ahead;

Tuesday 22 November, 6:00 p.m.: Fish & chips at The Craypot, Jackson Bay;

Thursday 24 November, evening: Group dinner at one of the two local pubs (Hard Antler or Haast Heritage). Initial plans for a group booking at Haast Heritage have been shelved, as we are not able to confirm numbers in advance. Choice of venue will be by group consensus.

Walks: The Smoothwater Bay track has recently been reopened after being closed for most of the year due to a large slip. This is great news, as the walk to Smoothwater Bay is one of the best easy day walks in the area.

A further reminder that you should expect wet feet on all but the most tourist-oriented tracks. This is particularly so for the Smoothwater walk, where most people opt to criss-cross down the stream bed rather than sidle the muddy bankside track.

 

Monday's walk - 7th November

We drive to Sandy Point car park on the road to Tarras. A loop track takes us to the heights above Long Gully and Deep Gully.
Leader: Rod McLeod

Haast vacancy

We have had to cancel our trip to Haast so there is a vacancy at the Haast River Top 10 Holiday Park.  Contact us on 5414 or at dgzmart@xtra.co.nz  if you would like to take over our booking.

Dawn and Greg Martin

 

Monday's walk - 31 Oct 2106

Dublin Bay

Walking from the Albert Town Reserve to Dublin Bay via Deans Bank.  Returning on a track alongside the Dublin Bay Road.

 

Greg Martin

 

 

 

 

Monday's Walk - 24 October 2016

Aurora Creek (Bendigo Conservation Area)

 

This walk takes us past an adit (tunnel - bring your headlamp), a cantilever bridge and other interesting relics of the Bendigo goldfield.

 

Greg Martin

 

Monday 17th October

Flat Top Hill Conservation Area - Alexandra

The thyme is starting to flower and the spring winds are bothersome in most areas tomorrow. Alex looked as though it was the best in terms of predicted velocity so we go to Flat Top Hill and find somewhere sheltered with a view over the river and enjoy the thyme.

Leader : Ruth Harrison

Monday's walk - 10 Oct 2106

Hawea Flat / Lake Hawea / John’s Creek and return

 

Walk along the Hawea Flat to Lake Hawea track, and then along the Gladstone Track to John’s Creek.

 

Greg Martin

 

Haast week: 21-25 November

It's now just over six weeks until the November Haast trip. The first happy hour will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Haast Top 10 on Monday 21st. Find out where the meeting room for the Wanaka Walkers is when you check in. If you arrive early and have a spare hour or two before the festivities begin, an excellent short walk is the DoC Hapuka Lagoon boardwalk 15 km down the road opposite the motor camp at Okuru.

The plans for walks each day will be decided at the time, taking into account the weather and (for beach walks) tides. We will try to have a choice each day. If you have a particular walk you want to do or (even better) lead, come to the meeting and speak up.

A non-walking option for those keen to play tourists for a day is a visit to the white heron colony at Okarito. November is the ideal time to visit, with the unfledged chicks still in the nest, and spoonbills nesting in a second tier above the heron colony. Please email me if you are keen to take up this option so I can gauge whether to proceed with a group booking.

Evening Meals

Tuesday 22nd: Fish & chips at the Craypot in Jackson Bay. New Zealand's funkiest fish & chip caravan. Owner Meg Ede will be happy to remain open from 6:00 - 7:00 pm if we can promise her a group of at least 20 people. Email me to confirm your interest.

Thursday 24th: Group dinner at the Haast Heritage Hotel. We have pencilled in a booking for 30 people. Please email me if you wish to attend so I confirm numbers asap. 

PLB / First Aid Kits needed

With the possibility of parallel trips on each day, to cater for different interests, we are likely to need more than one first aid kit and PLB. If you have one of these items and are prepared to make it available, please bring it with you.

Coordinator: Martin Unwin (unwinm51@gmail.com)

Monday's walk - 3 October 2106

Emerald Bluffs – Paddock Bay – West Wanaka Road Circuit.

Walk through wetlands to lake and then along the shore past Paddock Bay to West Wanaka Road.  Great views of lake and mountains.

 

Greg Martin

 

Monday's walk - 26th September

Morven Ferry Road to old Shotover Bridge. We will arrange to drop a car or two at the Shotover Bridge. Otherwise take Arrow River Bridge Ride (at Arrow Junction on SH6) and park where it meets Morven Ferry Road. Walk along Old School Road, lunch by the Kawarau River, carry on to the old Shotover Bridge.
Leader: Brian Gilbert

Monday's walk - 19th September

Graveyard Gully to Butchers Point on Lake Roxburgh Walkway.
Drive to Alexandra, turn left onto SH85 , then right into Little Valley Road, cross the Manuherikia River and turn right on Graveyard Gully Road.
From Graveyard Gully this trail follows an old bridle path that transported coal to the gold mining dredges 1890s-1930s. There are historic tailings and Chinese miners shelters including Mary Lee's three room dwelling.
There are old and very deep mining shafts throughout this area. Extreme care must be taken and children closely supervised.
Leader: Brian Gilbert

Monday 12th September

Keep New Zealand Clean - our annual contribution to keeping Wanaka clean. Meet as usual - we will pick up rubbish on either side of the main highway between Anderson Road and the Albert Town turn. Bring gardening gloves. Hopefully the weather will be dry. Afterwards we will climb Mt.Iron and have lunch near the top.
Brian Gilbert

Monday's walk - 5th September

Timaru Creek - high level route. Trying to dodge the rain, we drive up the east side of Lake Hawea and park just before the bridge over Timaru Creek. Across the bridge and a little up the road is the path, which winds up the valley high above the river. We will have lunch near the highest point and then return the way we came.
Leader: Brian Gilbert

Monday's Walk - 29th August 2016

Dry Creek valley walk

From the Lindis Bridge on the Tarras-Cromwell road turn left to follow Ardgour Road for 5 km to a small DOC car park on the right. We will take the low-level option, initially over open farmland and then up the gradually narrowing Dry Creek to a suitable lunch and turnaround spot at the valley head under Mt Kamaka. Total height gain 250 m over 7-8 km.

Leader: Martin Unwin

Monday's Walk - 22th August 2016

Spotts Creek

A walk up the Cardrona Road end of the Skyline Track, following Spotts Creek to the forks and the start of the upper valley, with the option of continuing up to a ridgeline viewpoint overlooking the lower Cardrona Valley. Expect some mud over the farm paddocks on the lower portion of the track.

Leader: Martin Unwin

 

Monday's Walk - 15th August 2016

Haast Pass Bridle Path

A scenic bush walk in the Haast Pass area. Drive to Davis Flat in the Makarora Valley just before the pass, follow the old bridle path to the top of the pass, then up a tourist track to a viewpoint and lunch stop 100 m above the pass. Return the same way, with the option of a Makarora café stop on the way home.

Leader: Martin Unwin

 

Monday's Walk - 8th August 2016

Cromwell gold fields

Two short historic walks in the Cromwell area. Down the east side of Lake Dunstan to Quartz Reef for a walk up to the best preserved herring-bone tailings in NZ, then on to the Bannockburn Sluicings along Felton Road. Lunch at the remains of Stewart Town above the sluicings, with the option of a post-lunch scramble up the start of the Long Gully track to a suitable viewpoint.

Leader: Martin Unwin

Monday's Walk - 1st August 2016

Millennium Track to Glendhu Bay

Looks like a cloudy day with temperatures under 5C and a chance of afternoon drizzle. We'll keep it local and simple: Roy's Bay to Glendhu Bay via the Millennium Track, starting with a car shuttle to the Glendhu end.

Leader: Martin Unwin

 

Re: Monday 25th July

>
> This week will go to Mt Koinga - on the Cromwell-Tarras Road. This track joins up at the back with the Kanuka Loop and is part of the Bendigo walks. We will go up the track until we have a nice spot for lunch.
> Views are across to Pisa Range. Should be sheltered from the wind.
>
>
> Trip Leader: Ruth Harrison

Monday 18th July

Walk A: Mt Koinga - from the Cromwell-Tarras Road. This track joins up at the back with the Kanuka Loop. We will go up the track until we have a nice spot for lunch.
Views are across to Pisa Range. Should be sheltered from the wind.

Walk B: Pisa Range to Alfern Reserve from the Queensberry entrance point on the Luggage-Cromwell Road. Walk up the track to the Alfern reserve where we will stop to admire
the totara and other trees and then on to a spot where we can admire the St Bathans for lunch. Best on a sunny, still day

Call as to which walk will be made in the morning.

Trip Leader: Ruth Harrison

Monday 11th July 2016

With thanks to the Manager for letting us cross private property we will going to Mt Brown this week. Its an easy uphill
with a lovely lookout for lunch. I expect it will even be an early lunch!

> Leader:Ruth Harrison

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Monday 4th July

Our walk this week will be up the farm track on the route to Boundary Creek. We start from the Boundary Creek campsite car park and climb up the hill until we get views up towards Makarora and back over Lake Wanaka and also down into the gorge where Boundary Creek flows. We are not going all the way to Boundary Creek. If the weather isn't promising we have a plan B.

Mondays Walk- 27th June 2016

​COLQUHOUNS BEACH and return along Minaret Burn track.

Will be cloudy, cold with possible showers.

From Wanaka-Mt Aspiring Road turn right onto West Wanaka Road. Go across the bridge over the  Matukituki River to the car park at the end of the road. You will need to go through 2 farm gates. 4WD car may be best if wet.

 The Minaret Burn track is undulating and although may be muddy in places should not be slippery. There are a couple of small streams to cross but with care should not get feet wet.

 Lunch will be at Colquhouns Beach. Then return along same track.

Minaret Burn Track
​

Leader Jerry Gathercole
email jerry@gathercole.net

Mondays Walk- 20th June 2016

Deans Bank and Dublin Bay Track.

May be cloudy with possible misty rain. We will go to Albert Town Camp site and park by the entrance to Deans Bank. First half of the Walk will be along the Deans Bank track. Unlikely to be many cyclists on a Monday but back marker will need to shout out if cyclists appear. The track is narrow in places. When we get to the Lake Outlet area we join the Dublin Bay track and walk further round the lake until we find somewhere for lunch. We return along the Dublin Bay Road/track to Albert Town.

Suggest boots as there may be some mud if it rains.  

Leader Jerry Gathercole

​

--

Jerry Gathercole
email jerry@gathercole.net

Monday's Walk - 13th June 2016

Hawea and Newcastle tracks- 12.5Kms

The weather should be good with a frosty morning. Many places will be muddy and slippery so I plan a relatively flat walk down Hawea Track from the Camphill Road car park. Then loop round the Newcastle track, stopping at the river side just over the  swing bridge at Albert Town (7.5Kms) for an early lunch. Return along Hawea River track to the car park.

All those who can resist a bluebird day at Cardrona are welcome.

​

Leader -Jerry Gathercole
email jerry@gathercole.net

Monday's Walk- Monday 6th June- Queens Birthday

​Lake Hawea Loop

The day should be nice with no wind but a cold start, so we need to enjoy one of the lakes and some sunshine.

 Start at  the car park at Lake Hawea camp ground as we did a few weeks ago.  Walk around the base of the dam to the Hawea Albert Town track till we get to the Cemetery Road entrance. We walk down the track beside Cemetry Road to Muir Road. Walk to the lake front then turn right towards Gladstone and find somewhere on the lakefront for lunch. Retrace along waterfront back to the cars. About 11 kms walk. 

Jerry Gathercole

Monday's walk 30th May

Albert Town - a loop walk, starting at Gunn Road, along Lagoon Avenue, part way up Mt.Iron, via Northlake back to Gunn Road.
Leader: Brian Kane

Monday's Walk - 23 May 2016

Halliday’s Bluff and beyond

 

From Albert Town, we will cross the Cardona River at 'Pawson's Crossing', traverses the lower slopes of Halliday's Bluff, and follows the river escarpments towards the Reko's Point Conservation Area and return.

 

Brian Kane

Lake Ohau Winter Trip

The UPPER CLUTHA TRAMPING CLUB invites Wanaka walkers to our mid winter Xmas trip to Ohau on 10th-12th June. We have 8 bunks remaining. We are staying at the Lake Ohau Quarters (not the lodge) which is like a luxury backpackers. We drive up Friday and do a walk in the afternoon. Pot luck shared dinner that night. Day walk on Saturday of 5-6 hrs. Shared dinner that night organised by Karen, $10-$15pp, helpers required on the night. Dress theme - glitz and glamour! Check out Sunday, and half day walk before return to Wanaka. The walks are all in the easy to medium range, but there may be a harder option also.
Accommodation cost is $80-$85 depending on final numbers (max 24). Shared car pooling costs. Final numbers required by 31 May and we have to pay up front then. So if you pull out after that, and don't find a replacement, you may still have to pay the full amount (this means you have to commit and can't just wait and see what the weather will do!). But because I'm going on holiday this Saturday 21st and will be out of email contact until 1st June, I would appreciate if people would let me know by this Friday 20th if they are interested.
Please contact me directly
Karen Marinković
Email - karenslogohq@yahoo.co.nz
Ph 03 443 7409
Cell 021 443740 (text only please)

Monday's walk - 16 May 2016

Option 1 (if the weather is good) - Lake Hayes showground to Arrowtown via Millbrook with a car shuttle.

 

Option 2 – a local, sheltered river walk.

Leader: Brian Kane

Monday's walk 9th May

Lake Hayes showground to Arrowtown via Millbrook - with a car shuttle.
Leader: Brian Kane

Monday's Walk - 2 May 2016

Lake Hawea

Hawea Dam to John’s Creek and return

 

Anthea & Brian Kane

Mondays walk

Tomorrow I am looking at the Mt Isthmus track on the NW side of Lake Hawea. There are great views from there.

 

Brian Nimmo

Monday's Walk 18th April 2016

Gibbston River Trail - Peregrine Wines to Kawarau Suspension Bridge and return, also including Rum Currie's hut.
on a walking/biking track.

Leader Ruth Harrison.

Monday's walk

The weather forecast is not great so I am thinking that we could walk downstream from the Red Bridge and go to the Luggate Hotel if too wet.

Brian Nimmo

Monday's Walk

Monday’s walk is along the Motatapu River upstream. This is a new track mostly flat in the river valley.

Brian Nimmo

Monday's walk 28 March 2016.

Easter Monday so time to walk off those Easter Eggs and Hot Cross Buns.

So lets walk the Grandview Creek Track from the end of Nook Rd. Hawea.

It's a gain of 650m from where we park the cars….but good views and maybe a few fly-bys.

We do cross the creek a few times but it isn't significant.

Trip Leader: Jane Hudson

Monday's Walk - 21st March 2016

A return walk up the lower slopes of the Dunstan Mountains opposite Pisa Moorings, via the Devils Creek access. Roughly three Mt Irons, the first and third steepish in places but not unduly long, the middle one undulating and lenient. Lunch and turnaround at pt. 947, where clusters of schist outcrops provide plenty of sheltered nooks with expansive views over Lake Dunstan. The Tarras Country Café is open despite the public holiday.

Walk leader: Martin Unwin

Monday's Walk - 14 March 2016

Monday's Walk - 14 March 2016

Plan A: Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain.
Our walk this Monday will start with "a warm up" around Diamond Lake.
We will then continue on and walk up to the Rocky Mountain summit via a loop track which we will approach from the West on our way up. Spectacular views include Lake Wanaka and the skyline dominated by the surrounding peaks!
Lunch will be at the 775 metre summit overlooking Mount Aspiring/Tititea to the West.
We'll come down the East side of the loop.

Plan B: Lake Hayes, round trip, only if rain and/or high winds will stop us from carrying out Plan A.
Approx. 45 - 60 minutes drive. Approx. 2 1/2 hour walk around the lake with lunch along the way, possibly followed by a coffee in or around Arrowtown.

Leader: Ron de Kraker

Sent from my iPad

Monday's walk - 7 March

The weather is unpredictable, so there is a Plan A and a Plan B.

 

Plan A:  Makarora – Blue Pools to Young River confluence.  Largely a flat walk there and back in bush and over river flats, but will include either a short steep climb or a river crossing, – maybe both!?  1 hr drive and 3 and a half hr walk.

 

Plan B:  Bendigo Loop Track.  An undulating track mainly in kanuka forest above the Clutha River valley. 45 min drive and 4 and a half to 5 hr walk.

 

Leader:  Brian Cleugh.

Monday's walk - 29th February

Plan A: Half way around a circuit of Rocky Mountain - we drop a car or two at West Wanaka Bridge, then start from the bridge over the Motatapu River (soon after the turning for Diamond Lake). We follow the Motatapu River (sometimes in it) until we meet the Matukituki. We follow the Matukituki River (preferably not in it) until we find the cars.
Plan B: Bendigo Loop. Drive to Logantown, above Bendigo. Follow the DOC loop track, up and down, up and down through the kanuka. Lunch overlooking Lake Dunstan.
My spies report that lupins have overgrown the Motatapu Valley and at least one expedition has been lost there. Unless I have time to reconnoitre on Sunday, it will be plan B.
Leader: Brian Gilbert

Monday's walk - 22nd February

A high country walk without the climb; expansive views over the Nevis Valley and Remarkables; visit the Young Australian Mine, water wheel and stamping battery. We drive through Bannockburn, up a gravel road to the top of the Nevis Ridge. The walk follows the track to the mine for lunch. Optional scramble down into the diggings and up past the remains of the stamping battery to join the water race which we follow back to the cars.
Leader: Brian Gilbert

Monday's walk - 15th February

Splish, splosh again - up the Arrow River. Park by the Chinese Village in Arrowtown. Lunch maybe around Soho Creek. Perhaps a side trip down to Pizolis Gully. Be careful emptying the water from your boots - there may be some gold dust in there.
Leader: Brian Gilbert

Monday's walk 8th Feb

Cool off in the Timaru River - get your boots and feet wet splashing up the river, starting from the Peter Muir bridge. Enjoy some shade in some bush, another paddle, then sweat it out scrambling over rock falls, before some more paddling. Lunch at Junction Hut. Back the way we came - by now you will be taking every chance to sit in the river.
Leader: Brian Gilbert

Monday's walk 1st February

Roaring Meg or Kirtle Burn. Starting from the DOC car park near the small power station in the Kawarau Gorge, up the pack track to lunch overlooking the lake. The energetic will carry on up to look for skeletons in Skeleton Stream before returning the way we came.

Plan B: Chain Hills. Drive towards Lindis then turn right into Goodger Road for about 10km. Climb up to lunch above Dunstan Creek. The weak and feeble can return the same way; the fit and strong complete the loop.

Leader: Brian Gilbert

Monday's walk - 25 January 2016

Glendhu Bay to Damper Bay and return

 

With rain predicted we will have another local walk which will take us to the Rock of Sages in Glendhu Bay before we walk to Damper Bay.

If you are planning on a car share be sure to have a dry change with you.

 

Greg

 

Monday's walk - 18 January 2016

Dublin Bay

With “periods of rain developing in the morning” forecast for Wanaka and Cromwell (where it never rains) we will have a local walk from Albert Town to Dublin Bay via the Dublin Bay Road, and return along the lake and river.

 

Greg Martin

 

Monday's Walk - 11 January 2016

Alex to Clyde – The 150th Anniversary Walk – River Track

“This walk follows the Clutha River on the true right bank between Alexandra and Clyde.  It is [approximately 14km of mainly flat walking] and will take 3-4 hours to complete.  The track stays within 20 meters of the river and is mostly in the shade of large willow trees.  It passes through the historic Earnscleugh Tailings.  This area was extensively dredged in the early 1900s and yielded many tons of gold.  As dredge technology improved the gravel heaps altered their appearance and these changes can clearly be seen.  There are some artefacts remaining scattered about and these should not be touched as the area is regarded as an ‘outside museum’.  The Tailings are protected and are on conservation land. “

We will walk up to the dam wall and then into Clyde for goodies.

Greg Martin

 

Monday walk - 3 January 2016

Motatapu River

 

Walking upstream from the Aspiring Road bridge to Mutt’s Gorge and return.  Great views of End Peak, TC and Black Peak.

 

Greg Martin