Trip Reports: October - November 2020
11 October - Port Waikato: River and Dunes
After being cancelled twice due to Covid-19, were we finally off to Port Waikato? YES! Forty-five of us had a great day at the Port. Some had never been there before, others not for many years.
The Wharf Store
Once a mission station, then a garrison town and also a spa town, Port Waikato has an interesting and varied past. Some of this history is on display in a wonderful collection of old photographs in the tiny historic Wharf Store (1893).
Many of the photographs featured Caesar Roose, shipping pioneer and champion of the former Port Waikato Health Camp, now a school camp.
Many of the photographs featured Caesar Roose, shipping pioneer and champion of the former Port Waikato Health Camp, now a school camp.
A visit to Cobourne Reserve gave us the story of the Cobourne sisters, Florence and Daphne, who gifted their home and land to the community back in 1983. Enthusiasticaly developed and maintained by local volunteers, today's reserve is a burst of colour containing many great feature trees, and is the winner of many awards.
Cobourne Reserve entrance built from local limestone
|
Very original Book Exchange
|
October garden colour
|
Views out over the dunes and rivermouth were our reward for a short climb where we also saw the old pilot's house and former regional hospital building, plus a fetching little dog with some clever tricks!
As our walk continued we spotted several examples of the quirky, artistic and laid-back flavour of the streets here.
As our walk continued we spotted several examples of the quirky, artistic and laid-back flavour of the streets here.
|
|
|
Betty Bean's mobile cafe got a thumbs up from those who tried the coffee and excellent scones for lunch!
Then Sunset Beach beckoned and a short walk revealed the extent of the erosion taking place here (50 metres of coastline has been lost in the past decade). A new community hub/surf club centre is in place but several other buildings look precarious.
Lawrie shared his knowledge of the beach and told us about the various fossils he has seen in the rocks at various times.
|
|
|
A short clamber from the beach up through the dunes then along a sandy path surrounded by cheerful yellow lupins and daisies followed, and we arrived at the riverbank. By now the wind was starting to whip up the sand and it was decided that we would not continue the 2 km further to the rivermouth, but head back to Maraetai Bay Reserve.
Many thanks to Lawrie and Sharleen for a great day at "The Port"
Also to Jackie for the excellent notes to read on the bus.
Photos: Frankie & Sharleen
Text: Sharleen
