North Shore Tramping Club upcoming events

Botanic Gardens/Totara Park – South Auckland (21 Jun 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Botanic Gardens/Totara Park – South Auckland

Sunday 21 June

Please have correct cash : $20 members, $25 non-members

Depart: 9.00am The Strand, Takapuna

Track Grade: Easy/Medium - some climbing including Stairways,

with well-formed trails. Approximately 4-5 hours tramping.

We start the walk at the Botanic Gardens and work our way through many spectacular, vibrant garden displays of many winter flowering trees, Camellia, Magnolia, Rhododendrons and more including many art sculptures. A year round, seasonal vegetable garden plot is always interesting with ideas for your own home garden.

Taking in the Totara Grove with gorgeous large old Totara trees which give the park its name and the odd hill, there should be something for everyone – the park boasts 64 hectares of beautiful gardens including 10 hectares of native forest and more than 10,000 plants from around the world.

We cover a number of tracks in Totara Park before returning to the bus.

The onsite café will be open if you need a hot drink or treat.

Organiser: Amber G 027-838-9483. No calls after 8.30pm. No texts please.
Driver: Isobel Davis

Registration: Members/MUTC members please register online by 8pm Friday 19^th June.

Non-members and Massey University Albany Tramping club members who haven’t tramped with the club before must contact the organiser to check suitability of the tramp. Please contact the organiser before 8pm Friday 19^th June.

Cost: $20 members, $25 guests and non-members, Juniors $5 (includes temporary $5 fuel surcharge), MUTC $0

Payment on the bus, please bring correct cash

Maps Online / Printable / GPS

To access the printable maps, download the zipped file, and either:

· open the zipped file, then drag the files to a new location OR

· press and hold (or right-click) the zipped file, select Extract All, and follow the instructions

Day trip policy: Minimum number of participants for trip to proceed is 10 for trips less than $20 and 12 for trip more than $20.

Registration Conditions: subject to approval of your fitness and suitability of the trip for you. Please contact the organiser to confirm suitability if you haven’t been out with the club before.

Please read Trip Bookings & Cancellations

Gear: please read What to take on a tramp and the link there to Gear Lists.

Leaving from: The Strand, Takapuna - 9:00am. Go here for maps: Meeting Places

Whakatiwai Regional Park (28 Jun 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Whakatiwai Regional Park

Eastern Hunua Range

Medium easy tramp!

Please ensure you have the correct cash for payment on the bus

Departure from our usual pickup point - the Strand 9am

Cost: $30 members, $35 guests/non-members, juniors $5, MUATC $0 includes temporary $5 fuel surcharge)

The Waharau Ridge track has been upgraded against the fight of Kauri die back, so it is a well graded track with views over the Firth of Thames. Starting from the Whakatiwai Regional Park, as the name suggests, it’s a ridge track so you can expect some hill climbing to get ourselves up on to the ridge for some views. Approximately 3.5 hours and 12 k, this should be a perfect days outing for this time of the year on the eastern side of the Hunua Range.

If time permits, we will stop off in the heart of Clevedon on our return and do the Puriri & Totara track this is a small loop track approximately 45 minutes involving another hill climb, stairs, and some lovely regenerating Puriri & Nikau Forest to a lookout.

Cost: $30 members, $35 guests/non-members, juniors $5- includes temporary $5 fuel surcharge)

Organiser: Chris Peard 021 277 0270

Driver: TBC

Register by 12 noon Saturday please

Registration Conditions: subject to approval of your fitness and suitability of the trip for you.

Please read Trip Bookings & Cancellations

Payment pay on the bus, please bring correct cash)

Gear: please read What to take on a tramp and the link there to Gear Lists.

Leaving from: The Strand, Takapuna - 9:00am

Go here for maps: Meeting Places

Cape Brett Walkway & Urupukapuka Island - Matariki Weekend (9 Jul 2026)

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Matariki Weekend 9 -12 July 2026

Medium fit Tramping!

Cape Brett Walkway & Urupukapuka Island

Urupukapuka Island is one of the Bay of Islands’ best-kept secrets. As the largest of the group’s 144 islands, it is pest-free and known for its pristine, seldom visited beaches and is rich in Māori history, this is a perfect opportunity for us to take a visit and experience this wonderful island. Urupukapuka Island - Bay of Islands Travel Guide - New Zealand

WE NEED A FEW MORE FOR THIS TRIP TO PROCEED, SO PLEASE HURRY & ENROLL IT WILL BE FUN!

Cape Brett is perched near to the tip of the Cape with exceptional views, lies the light keepers’ house, now converted to a DOC hut. We’ll see lots of wildlife – including, we hope, dolphins.

Cost: $320

MUATC: $270 You must ring the organiser before for booking, and have been out with the club previously, final approval will be made by the Safety officer.

Registration closes July 1^st

Thursday 9th July: Departing Como Street 5.00pm

Drive to Rawhiti Marae and sleep at the Marae (Marae style on the floor)

Friday 10^th July

From the marae we take a day pack and water taxi to Urupukapuka island, and we will have the day there exploring the many tracks and bays of the island before returning to the Marae for the night.

Saturday 11th July: Cape Brett Track: approx 8 hrs

The track traverses through native and regenerative bush. Straightforward through the bush from Rawhiti to Deep Water Cove (3-6 hrs), it continues along the Cape itself traversing a razor back ridge and then descends to the hut (2-3hrs). The track has a mix of steep inclines, declines and plateaus.

The water at the Cape Brett hut is often contaminated due to saltwater - bring all the water with you that you need for drinking and cooking.

Please bring everything you need for a usual away trip (sleeping bag, food, snacks, personal supplies etc). The hut has burner units however it won’t hurt to carry your own gas cooker. Don’t forget your togs and towel!

Gear List: NSTC Gear List.pdf

Cape Brett Track: Cape Brett, Northland (doc.govt.nz)

Sunday 12 July:

Take the Cape Brett track down to Deep Water Cove and water taxi back to Rawhiti, and the bus back to Takapuna.

Note; If the weather is not suitable for the water taxi be prepared to return to Rawhiti along the Cape Brett track.

Cost $320

Please pay a deposit of $50.00 Upon registering and full payment by July 1^st.

Registration:

Places on the trip will be allocated according to the order in which registrations are received, subject to approval from the Trip Organizer and the Club’s Health & Safety Officer, that the person has a suitable standard of physical fitness and experience.

In the event of over-booking, unsuccessful applicants will be wait-listed and allocated if there are any cancellations.

Driver/s: Eric/

Organiser: John Porter (0274809664)

Xmas Trip Dec 2026 Jan 2027 Kahurangi/Abel Tasman (27 Dec 2026)

Sat, 26 Dec 2026 22:00:00 GMT

NSTC Annual Christmas Tramp 2026/27

Kahurangi/Abel Tasman

The Christmas tramp will be slightly different this year.The dates are:

Home Party:

Kahurangi and Abel Tasman National Parks: 27th December 2026 to 4th January 2027. OUT PARTIES MEET ONE DAY LATER AND LEAVE ONE DAY LATER - see below!

Assemble at or by midday on the 27^th at Nelson Airport - 11 members.

Out Parties: Kahurangi National Park. We will meet one day later - from 28th December 2026 to 5th January 2027. Assemble at or by midday on the 28^th at Nelson Airport. One out party will consist of 6 members, and the other 5 members.

Organiser: Eric Skilling

Costs:

Home: Share Twin in Motueka $515.00

Share 4 Bed Dorm Room in Motueka $435.00

This includes accommodation Motueka but excludes kayaking/water taxis in Abel Tasman

Out Party 1: $430.00 Includes all accommodation including huts during tramp

Out Party 2: $270.00 Includes van and 2 nights accommodation in Cobb Houses, plus one night at Fenella Hut. but does NOT include cost of the other huts while out tramping

Transport costs are shared equally across all participants, as it was last year.

Home party: Allow about 1.5 hours for the drive to the Airport. Don't book for an early flight.

Out Parties: Allow about 3.5 hours for the drive to the Airport, Don't book for an early flight.

Tramping will be based in the Kahurangi National Park - the setting of several LOTR scenes. These are areas not known to most Club members and provides us with a diversity of options for both Home and two Out parties.

The Home Party will also spend 3 nights in Motueka, allowing us the opportunity to explore the famous Abel Tasman National Park . Activities such as kayaking and water-taxis are not included in the cost.

Kahurangi National Park extends west of Motueka to the West Coast -with braided rivers, beech forests, tussock grasslands, alpine screes and white limestone peaks. It includes Cobb Valley, Lake Peel, Balloon Hut (sponsored by NSTC), Mt Arthur, Gridiron Shelter, Horseshoe Basin, Gordon's Pyramid, and Salisbury Lodge.

Home Party:

We will base ourselves in large houses in the Cobb Valley for the first 5 nights, and then Motueka for the next 3 nights. Motueka is just over an hour from Nelson, and Cobb Valley a further 1.5 hours. There are numerous spectacular day walks in the valley. We have booked huts for two overnighters for 4 people: firstly, a two-hour walk to Sylvester Hut, and a second 5 to 6 hour walk to Balloon Hut. There is no need to carry tents. There should also be plenty of time for a grocery shop before heading to the Cobb Valley on arrival.

Out Parties: Both Out parties will be required to have a minimum of Medium/Fit Fitness standards for these tramps. Some tramps will require off-track travel, river crossings, and navigation skills, and may involve travel of up to 8 hours for OP1, and up to 9 hours for OP2.

A. OP1: Medium/Fit Out Party:

All huts are booked, so there will be NO need to carry tents for the duration of all the tramps.

The plan is to join the Home Party in Cobb Valley for the first night , 28th Dec, before setting out for an overnighter to Sylvester Hut next day.

Back to Cobb Valley and a hot shower, then set out for 4 nights.

B. OP2 Fit Out Party: You will need to carry tents for the duration of all of the tramp. Plan is to set out from arriving at Nelson for an epic 7-night exploration of Kahurangi Park, and finishing in the Cobb Valley a and a hot shower and comfy bed before returning to Nelson Airport on 5th.

Trip Grading: https://www.nstc.org.nz/useful-info

Detailed Itineraries

HOME PARTY E/M (Easy/Medium Fitness) Limit 11

Cost $515.00 share twin in Motueka, and $435.00 shar a 4 bed dorm room in Motueka

Leader: tbc

Note - Cooking equipment is to be carried for the Home Party Two Day Trip options:

A: Kahurangi National Park - Cobb Valley:

Numerous trips ranging from 4 to 8 hours depending on energy levels and curiosity, but inlcuding:

- Sylvester hut : 5 to 6 hours return including views of nearby tarns, Iron Lake and Iron Hill. Beech forest and tussock.

- Lake Peel: 6 to 7 hours return. A variety of travel through beech forest filled with streams and birds, sub-alpine vegetation, into a wide valley with the glacial Lake Peel at it's zenith. Views of the famous Kahurangi tablelands. Look out for Kea.

- Gridiron Shelter: 7 to 8 hours. Enjoy the calls of kaka, piwakawaka, tui, bellbird and more thanks to excellent work by Friends of Flora foundation. Peaceful and quiet, this is a real "forest bathing" experience.

Two Day Trips: Four places have been booked at each hut.

1. Sylvester hut and lakes: A high quality hut with easy access to nearby tarns.

2. Balloon Hut: Sponsored by NSTC, the hut is nestled in the magnificent tablelands, with plenty to explore.

A: Abel Tasman - based in Motueka:

There are many options for activities for the 3 nights accommodated in Motueka, including walking, kayaking and swimming in world famous Abel Tasman Park. These will need to be booked and paid for separately. It is less than 20km from Motueka to Abel Tasman National Park.

OUT PARTIES

All registrants required to have completed a River Crossing Course

Out Party One - "OP1": Cost $430.00 per person, including 3 nights at Cobb House, plus all huts. Limit 6

Topo maps BP24 & BQ24

Leader: tbc

M/F (Medium /Fit): 5 to 8 hours per day. Off track and above bush line travel to be expected. Varied and occasionally challenging terrain. Experience, fitness and stamina necessary. No need to carry tents.

28^th December: Arrive NSN airport by midday for trip to Cobb House

29 December: Warm up by travelling for about 2 hours through the beech forest, on a 4WD track, to Sylvester Hut. Empty packs of overnight gear, then meander to the nearby tarns, and summit nearby Iron Hill to survey the regions to be explored in the next week.

30 December: Back to Cobb house for the night to resupply and hot shower before the next epic 5-day adventure.

31 Dec: 6 Hours and about 600 metres elevation to Salisbury Lodge. Via Lake Peel and Balloon hut. Nestled in the Tablelands, this hut is famous for the caves nearby, so best to plan for an early start to allow time to explore. And just quietly - this hut is also famous for it's solar-powered toilets. Intrigued? You should be!

1st January: Saddle up early for a 7.5 hour, 750 metre climb to Mt Arthur Hut. Enjoy many highlights of this renowned area of Kahurangi. From peaceful forest festooned with Aaron's beard, onto a challenging climb up Gordon's Pyramid. Into the bizarre landscape of Horseshoe Basin, the inspiration for LOTR scenes. Then 400 metres down to the hut, with expansive views across to Nelson. Look out for Kea.

2nd January: Take day packs for the rewarding 600 metres ascent to the summit of Mt Arthur. Return to the hut in time for afternoon tea. Relax before a big day on the 3rd.

3rd January: Another early start for the 8-hour journey to Balloon Hut via the historic Flora Hut and Gridiron shelter. Enjoy more spectacular views of the Tasman Sea towards Nelson in the occasional breaks in the forest. Follow the river for much of the trip, enjoy the many birdcalls and waterfalls.

4th January: More descent than ascent, the final five hours back to Cobb House takes you across the Tablelands, past Lake Peel and down to the valley floor. Then it's a leisurely hot shower, relaxing dinner and appropriate refreshments with OP2.

5th January: Allow 3 hours for return to Nelson

Out Party Two - "OP2": Cost $270.00 per person. including 2 nights at Cobb House, plus one night at Fenella Hut. Limit 5

Leader: tbc

F (Fit): 8 to 10 hours per day. Off track and above bush line travel to be expected. Varied and occasionally challenging terrain. Experience, fitness and stamina necessary. MUST carry tents.

Dragon Teeth Low Route, Douglas & Lockett Range.

Fit Out party!

Tents to be carried

Topo maps BP23, Bp24

Trip Leader T.B.C

You need to study Topo maps thoroughly as well as do your own research before signing up to this trip, most of this is off track on crudely marked and unmarked routes, with lots off exposed tops travel, steep accents & descents on rough terrain, scree, & alpine scrub. It will require a good weather window to proceed the section from Anatoki Folks hut to Fenella hut which involves 3 days of travel and have no exit routes between Anatoki & Fenella huts, for an idea of this section watch this linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyc7r4nCLqE you may also like to take a look on google earth and zoom into the terrain you will cover.

28th December: Meet at Nelson airport and drive to Anatoki track road, from here we set off a long the Anatoki track where we can expect to encounter windfall, slips, and some water courses to cross before arriving at Anatoki bend where we should be able to find a camp the night.

29th December: This will be much the same as day one, continue along the Anatoki track to arrive at the Anatoki forks hut to rest up for the night as tomorrow is going to ramp upsomewhat, expect about 4 hours. Anatoki Folks hut: 6 bunks, 1 blue ticket.

30th December: We follow a roughly marked track up into the bush and a relentless climb of about 800 meters, up onto a narrow ridge ☹ to take us over Pts 1270, 1355, and 1422, and on to Yuletide Peak, from there we aim to go between Pts 1488 and 1563 where we thread what is

known as the Needles eye before a steep descent of about 300 meters to Adelade Tarn and

onto the hut for the night, expect about 7 hours. Adelaid Tarn hut: 4 bunks, Basic Bivi, free.

31st December: From Adelaid Tarn hut we ascend the flanks of Mt Douglas, from here we take the low route and pass below the infamous Dragons Teeth, we drop sharply down 350 meters

and follow from the headwaters of the Anatoki river about 2 k before a steep ascent of 750 meters ☹ between a couple of peaks known as the Drunken Sailors to the southern intersection

of the high route of the Dragons Teeth before dropping down another 300 meters to Lonely Lake

hut for the night, expect about 8-10 hours. Lonely Lake hut: 3 bunks, Basic Bivi, free

1st January: It starts with another climb back up onto the spine of the Douglas range and

heading in a southerly direction passing Pts 1610 and 1512 then sidling below and around

Kakapo peak and onto Waingaro peak to descend 300 meters to Fenella hut for the night,

expect 7 – 8 hours. Fenella hut: 12 bunks, booked.

2nd January: from here we can take the easy route out down the Cobb valley about 5 hours to

the northern road end, but for us wanting more we climb back up to the Waingaro Peak track

and head south over the Lockett range tops to set up and camp the night at Ruby Lake, expect

about 6 – 7 hours.

3rd January; From Ruby Lake we continue south passing Diamond Lake, Lake Little, Iron Lake, Lake Sylvester, and Sylvester hut, and carry on to Cobb house for a hot shower, expect 6 – 7 hours.

4th January: Cobb House - rest day and party, and possibly a light day walk for tomorrows pick up back to Nelson airport.

5th January: Allow 3 hours for return to Nelson.

A non-refundable deposit of $100 must be paid by 31 July and the balance by 31 October. For cancellations after 31 October, trip costs will be refunded only if a replacement takes up the place.

Booking

Booking will be available with effect from 9 am on Saturday 27th June – online only on our website, no texts or emails. Only paid-up members of the club are eligible to participate, and applications will be approved in order of receipt but only if the applicant is considered to have an appropriate level of physical fitness and experience. In the event of over-booking, unsuccessful applicants will be waitlisted and allocated to a trip if there are any cancellations.

N.B: Before booking your air tickets please ensure your Registration has been approved by the Club’s Health & Safety Guide.

Notes Applicable to All Groups

It goes without saying that all trips are subject to weather conditions. Trip leaders should have a plan B in case inclement weather makes the original plan impractical.

All members of the Out Party Two should be equipped with tents.

For the minivans we have to provide our own drivers. An ordinary Class 1 driving license is sufficient, no need for passenger endorsement.

Please indicate to the Trip Organisers if you are willing to be a driver.

Final trip routes subject to change depending on weather, track conditions and logistics requirements.
Successful applicants will be required to pay a deposit of $100 by 31 July with the balance on or before 31 October.
Refunds for cancellations are subject to the usual Club rules.