Trip Reports - April & May 2023
21 May 2023 - Hickey's Reserve, Henry's Bush Reserve & Kariotahi Cliffs
Derek was waiting for us when we arrived in Pukekohe.
Barbara, Heather and Derek Jennifer and Don with Derek Going around one of many bends
With the weather following the forecast almost exactly, we met up with an old friend of the Club, Derek, in Pukekohe. Walking through Hickey’s reserve, we saw some of the devastation caused by the recent storms, when the little stream flowing through the Reserve overflowed, and deposited a good deal of debris on its banks.
After morning tea and a quick stop for the facilities at the bus/train station, we headed to Henry’s Bush Reserve, located on the way to Patumahoe. (This is not to be confused with Henry’s Reserve that we had walked through a few years ago; the loop track we walked there is now very badly damaged!)
We had a small stream to get over, Heather was tail- ender in the bush and we dallied by a beautiful stream.
The bush track descends to a small stream through mainly taraire forest. We also saw some tawa (not unexpected), kohekohe and young nikau palms. On the way back we stopped to look at a “weta hotel” and a bat roosting box.
Branches of Tawa (L) and Taraire (Middle) found on forest floor; Weta "hotel" and roosting box for bats.
Going on to Waiuku, we found plenty of cause to return another day. Not only is there seating under cover for lunch, but there is an interesting coastal walk and many more features worth investigating here. But we had no time for that today...
Some wonderful artistry on the walls of the toilet block!
At Kariotahi Beach, we met Richard (a geologist) who explained the origin of the black sand on the beach and how it has spread as far as the Manukau Harbour.
We had to stand behind the toilet block as that was the only way we could hear Richard's words: the wind was so strong!
He also gave us much information about the composition of these famous sandy cliffs and how they were formed, through successive depositions of sand and silt. We could also see a band of iron oxide (orange- red) running through one of the highest cliffs, thus stabilising it. The oldest cliffs here are pre-pleistocene – not bad for a pile of sand!
Shona helped people to tie plastic bags over their shoes and I'm sure our driver Oki appreciated our efforts!
Finally, we returned to Waiuku for an ice- cream or coffee, a comfort stop and a chance to get rid of any remaining sand from our shoes, some encased in plastic bags to keep the bus tidy! The strong wind on the beach may have been the reason why a few members slept on the return journey…
Thanks to Richard for joining us on the beach at Kariotahi for the recce and for a very educational talk today!
Thanks also to several members who joined Heather and Praemi for some of the many reccies we had to do and of course to Praemi and Heather, the leaders.
Text: Praemi
Photos: Sue & Barbara
Thanks also to several members who joined Heather and Praemi for some of the many reccies we had to do and of course to Praemi and Heather, the leaders.
Text: Praemi
Photos: Sue & Barbara
7 May 2023 - Matakana & Tawharanui Regional Park Kiwi Tour
Having had to cancel several of our popular, out of town, long weekends because of Covid, the committee decided to offer members a “special” outing close to Auckland.
Instead of our normal early morning start, the bus’s first pick-up point was at Greenlane at 1pm.
First stop - Morris & James Pottery in Matakana, where the General Manager kindly came in on his day off to provide our group of 21 with a tour of their facility.
Kieran was extremely informative, adept on the wheel, and had no problem answering all the questions members were putting to him. There were also lots of “temptations” in their showroom and several members parted with a few dollars!
First stop - Morris & James Pottery in Matakana, where the General Manager kindly came in on his day off to provide our group of 21 with a tour of their facility.
Kieran was extremely informative, adept on the wheel, and had no problem answering all the questions members were putting to him. There were also lots of “temptations” in their showroom and several members parted with a few dollars!
The adjacent restaurant, Café Nectar, then had an early buffet dinner waiting for us. The super friendly owner and his assistant provided a nice selection of dishes to choose from.
With everyone fully sated, we reboarded the bus and headed out to Tawharanui Regional Park where we were scheduled to meet Ed and Colin, our two “kiwi” guides, at 5pm.
It was very grey and windy as we gathered on the edge of Anchor Bay watching two keen surfers enjoying the large waves that were rolling in.
A few minutes down the track we reassembled at Sanctuary Hut where Ed talked a little about the history of the park and the variety of birds living there. He also played recordings of both the male and female kiwi calls so we knew what to listen out for.
Ed then distributed “red” torches to everyone before explaining that keeping any noise down to a minimum was essential to increase our chances of seeing a kiwi. At this point, we divided into two groups – the first group setting off 10 minutes in advance of the second.
Ed then distributed “red” torches to everyone before explaining that keeping any noise down to a minimum was essential to increase our chances of seeing a kiwi. At this point, we divided into two groups – the first group setting off 10 minutes in advance of the second.
As we entered the bush, the wind dropped, and dusk was setting in. The track was dry, a pleasant surprise as the area had recently experienced so much rain. And, our members have never been so quiet!!!
We heard many kiwi calling as we followed the guides along the track, but unfortunately there were no sightings. When Colin and the second group arrived at a designated clearing, they met-up with Ed and his group, already enjoying cookies and milo. Fortunately, there was enough to go around!
As we entered the bush, the wind dropped, and dusk was setting in. The track was dry, a pleasant surprise as the area had recently experienced so much rain. And, our members have never been so quiet!!!
We heard many kiwi calling as we followed the guides along the track, but unfortunately there were no sightings. When Colin and the second group arrived at a designated clearing, they met-up with Ed and his group, already enjoying cookies and milo. Fortunately, there was enough to go around!
Well, we may not have been lucky finding a kiwi on our walk into the bush, BUT on the return journey the guide spotted a rather large (and probably rather old) kiwi foraging beside a log on the edge of a grassy clearing. We had been told that young kiwi were easily startled, but this kiwi must have been an old one as he was totally unconcerned by the large group that gathered and watched him for a good 15-20 minutes.
Fantastic – everyone in the group was able to see a kiwi doing what kiwis do in their natural habitat!!!!
The walk back to the bus was another highlight. By now, the clouds had cleared, and we were treated to a star-filled sky and an almost-full moon. Peter, a very large kereru, well known to the guides, also made his presence felt as he flew in low to land in a tree – what a noise! It was also a surreal experience to be in the bush at night and to see our shadows in the moonlight, ahead of us on the track.
We wanted a “special” outing, and we were lucky - that’s exactly what it turned out to be!
We wanted a “special” outing, and we were lucky - that’s exactly what it turned out to be!
Thanks to our leaders: Linda & Fiona
Text: Linda
Photos: Barbara, Praemi and Linda
Text: Linda
Photos: Barbara, Praemi and Linda
16 April 2023 - Cambridge
After an early start from Constellation Drive, and with 36 onboard the bus, we travelled south turning off SH1 at Hautapu. We then drove up the narrow winding Maungakawa and Gudex Roads to Maungakawa Scenic Reserve.
The private home and part of the land belonging to the Thornton family was sold in 1902 to the Health Department to become a TB Sanitorium. It was subsequently taken over by the New Zealand Army as a convalescent home for returning World War servicemen.
In 1953 it became a reserve of regenerating native forest with a scattering of exotic trees and native birdlife. The Maungakawa and Gudex Reserves are now called Pukemako which translates to “Hill of the Bellbird”. Although a lot of steps, it was a good walk with many of the trees identified by signage. The area is an extinct volcano and it was interesting to find basalt rock near the end of our walk.
Riverside Park - Lunch Stop
On to Cambridge for a walk along the river above the storm damaged Settlers Track. After lunch beside the river, in Riverside Park, we crossed two bridges at the junction of the Waikato river and the Karapiro stream.
Along the Leamington side of the Waikato river we walked the Soldiers Track to the Victoria bridge seeing substantial storm damage with trees uprooted. Crossing this bridge, the oldest existing bridge in Cambridge, we walked back to Victoria Road and the bus in Bath Street, opposite the lovely Souter House.
Along the Leamington side of the Waikato river we walked the Soldiers Track to the Victoria bridge seeing substantial storm damage with trees uprooted. Crossing this bridge, the oldest existing bridge in Cambridge, we walked back to Victoria Road and the bus in Bath Street, opposite the lovely Souter House.
Equine Stars Walk of Fame - Charisma
After another short bus ride the group had a little free time to look around the interesting town of Cambridge with its plane trees, ceramic tiles of famous horses along the footpath in Victoria Street and the equine statue of Michelle Farrell’s mare and foal. Some even managed a visit to a café like Fran’s (Teapot) Café for a coffee.
At 3.00pm it was back on the bus for the return trip to Auckland with the final stop at 5.30pm at Constellation Drive.
The weather was fine and hopefully the day was enjoyed by everyone.
After another short bus ride the group had a little free time to look around the interesting town of Cambridge with its plane trees, ceramic tiles of famous horses along the footpath in Victoria Street and the equine statue of Michelle Farrell’s mare and foal. Some even managed a visit to a café like Fran’s (Teapot) Café for a coffee.
At 3.00pm it was back on the bus for the return trip to Auckland with the final stop at 5.30pm at Constellation Drive.
The weather was fine and hopefully the day was enjoyed by everyone.
A huge thanks to our leaders, Shona & Linda - and, their helpers, Heather and Barbara.
Text: Shona
Photos: Barbara
Text: Shona
Photos: Barbara