Broken Hills: Water Race - Collins Drive - Main Range Track - Billy Goat Incline Track - Hihi Trig - Main Range Track

Date: 10 August 2014
Party: Anna, Elizabeth, Lesley
Map: Broken Hills Recreation Area
Distance: 7 km or so to Hihi Trig
Elevation: 730m
Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Notes: Sunrise - where it was cold enough to see mist rising off the water like steam. When we left, the car dash was showing 2 degrees, then 0, so we had the full complement of gear on by the time we got to the start of the track. Again we headed off, then almost immediately doubted our judgement about where the track went. Perhaps a combination of tracks being only sketchily marked on most maps, some of the signage being a little unclear, and our own need for exactitude! The water race track was great fun - man-made, muddy, but you could envisage water roaring along it. We passed a number of small tunnels and areas cut from the mountain for girders etc., before we got to the 500 m Collins Tunnel...we LOVE tunnels! Usually when we head into a tunnel the temperature drops - here it was so cold outside that the tunnel was comparatively warm. Quite a few glow worms, especially at each end, and plenty of different types of rock. From here it was pretty much a relentless climb to the trig through regenerating bush. Probably not in the same class as the Waitakeres, but with its own charm. Plenty of 'scribbles' (supplejack). We had been walking for about 3 hours and were not sure how far away the trig was, when we came across a sign for the Billy Goat Incline Track. This took us to the summit via a classic damp, spongy, muddy, short track, which opened onto a lovely piece of mossy ground, and we completed the climb with a short walk through to the trig (more of an alien spacecraft than a traditional trig). And then we had lunch, took a selfie at the summit, remarked on the view, exclaimed at the lack of wind, checked our emails and texts and snapchats (well, some of us did - some of us were more mindful). Back down the track, with the unsteady among us (LV and EW) experimenting with vertical drops to test out the fortitude of our glutes. Ouch. We returned via a slightly different route, omitting the tunnel. Home to a soak in the spa and a vino. A very pleasant combination.

Cathedral Cove - Whenuakite Kauri Loop Walk - Twin Kauri Scenic Reserve

Date: 9 August 2014
Party: Anna, Elizabeth, Lesley
Notes: Having learned nothing from previous trips about Packing Lightly, we set off for Pauanui and Elizabeth's family bach about 8.15am, arriving there a couple of hours later. We ogled the view and sorted ourselves out, then headed off to lunch at Colenso. Mmmmm. Then on to Cathedral Cove, which could not have been more stunning. Perfect day, not too many tourists, a good walk to the Cove and back, with a little side trip to Gemstone Bay (sorry Stingray Bay - we just did not feel the love!).

(One Very Important Thing we learned on this trip was How To Light a Proper Fire. I for one was astounded at the prowess of one of our members in this department. Who knew? Ask her about dongers, but don't google it forgodsake.)

Montana Heritage Trail

Date: 1 August 2014

Party: Anna, Lesley, Mary

Map:

Distance: nearly 11 km

Elevation: 325m

Time: 3 hours 10 mins
Notes: Looking for an interesting walk for Mary, who had not walked with us previously, we settled on one we had enjoyed before. Lots of up and down, amazing kauri and great bird life. We finished the walk at the Waitakere Dam end, and guiltily headed down the stairs as another small group came gasping and red up the dozens (and dozens) of stairs! The waterfall is worth the small walk off the track, although there is a bit of tricky boulder-climbing to get to the top of the boulder by the falls. The falls themselves are tucked away behind a rock face, so quite difficult to see unless you are prepared for a swim! As we arrived back at the car we had a quick flash of the white cockatiels that roost in the Waitakeres, screeching away into the sky. Bloody Australians.