North Shore Tramping Club
Waiheke Island – Passage Rock to Rocky Bay
When: 14 May 2023
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Location: Downtown or Devonport Ferry Terminal
Please register and pay deposit ($20) by 5th May 2023 to secure shuttle booking to Passage Rock.
You will also need an AT HOP card for the public bus back to the ferry, no cash payments possible!
After a 30-minute shuttle ride to Passage Rock, we will start with a traverse through a stunning section of remnant forest climbing gently up to the most fabulous picnic spot on the island. After a steep grassy decent to Poderi Crisci Winery, a wetland section and some more grassy hills, we tackle the toughest part of the 100km Te Ara Hura Trail with another steep downhill assisted by a well-placed rope along the fence line. One more climb and we reach Trig Hill with 360-degree views of the island. From there we will continue through Whakanewha Regional Park with its beautiful shady Nikau grove down to Rocky Bay and along the coastline to Omiha Memorial Hall where there is a bus stop for the Medium Party to head back to the ferry (14.3 km, 5-6h). The Fit Party may continue along Te Whau coastal track on a mix of tracks and quiet roads (an additional 8.3 km) with some amazing island views before catching the bus back to the ferry.
A reasonable level of fitness is required as there are numerous steps and some steep hills. Bring plenty of water, togs if you are keen for an autumn swim, camera, lunch and snacks. You might even get the chance to taste and buy some Waiheke wine, olives, or oil.
Bring your topped-up AT Hop card and purchase your ferry ticket online before the day.
Ferry departs:
Ferry returns:
Cost: Shuttle to Passage Rock (pay $20 deposit by 5th May); Ferry fare ($46 per adult return); Bus fare to ferry ($0.99, AT HOP card required!); Gold card holders travel for free on ferry and public bus (but not shuttle)
Trip organiser: Ilva Rupenthal (Ph: 021 2132975)
Non-members: Please phone the organiser after hours to check suitability of the tramp
Maps: Printable (Page 3) / Online (Part 1) / Online (Part 2) / Online (Part 3, Fit Party only)
