North Shore Tramping Club upcoming events

Northern Pureora ANZAC Weekend (25 Apr 2026)

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Northern Pureora ANZAC Weekend

25^th April – 27^th April

Depart 8am Como Street

Cost:

$130 Medium Fit Party

$90 Fit Party

Medium Fitness & Fit Tramping!

Pureora Forest Park straddles the Haungaroa and Rangitoto Ranges west of Lake Taupo and east of Te Kuiti. Pureora Forest Park preserves the last remnants of extensive native podocarp forests that once covered most of the central North Island. It wasn’t always protected and between 1930 to the early 1970s, sections of the forest were logged to provide timber for large state housing projects. Exotic trees were also planted for future timber needs. The forest around the lodge was never milled but designated as an ecological area and is now the basis of a wonderful forest experience. Accommodation for this tramp will be at the Pureora Forest Lodge for two nights, https://www.pureoraforestlodge.org.nz/index.html

Hopefully we will get a couple of drivers and trip leaders to allow us to cover the park.

Saturday 8:00 am Departure from Como Street, Takapuna

Home Party - Medium Fit

Trip Leader Chris Peard

The drive to the lodge will take about 3.5 hours, set up at the lodge and have lunch and then explore the Waipapa South track returning to the lodge on the same track, expect about 3 - 4 hours of reasonably flat terrain and about 12 K.

Sunday

A trip to Pureora would be incomplete without summiting Mt Pureora (1275m) so with two drivers hopefully, we will start a team from Link Road and take the Mt Pureora track up through the goblin forest to the summit, from there on a fine day we will have views south to Ruapehu and the central plateau, and out to the east views of Lake Taupo, from there it’s a downhill on the Toi Toi track and onto the famous Timber Trail and ending at the Totara walk and bus back to the lodge, expect about 4 hours, 400 meter climb, a bit of advanced tramping track to the Summit, then medium going terrain, approx. 12 K.

Monday

Clean up the lodge and pack up before returning to Link Road for an easy quick walk to the very center of the North Island or we can extend it to a 7 K, 3hrs return before picking up the fit party and returning to Takapuna.

Saturday

Out Party, Fit

Topo map, BG34 & BG35

Trip leader; Anthony Rola

Tents to be carried

Link Road to Bogg Inn

Bog Inn hut, 4 bunks, 1 x blue ticket for the hut

After the bus drops you off at Link Road, take the Mt Pureora track to the summit, at the summit you will find a short rough track that takes you down and on to the Timber trail for about 2.5 k and then another rough track to Bog Inn hut and campsite, expect about 8-9 K and 3.5 hours.

Sunday

Bog Inn - Waihaha Hut

Waihaha hut, 10 bunks, 1 x blue ticket for the hut

Start early, as this is a long day on an advanced and unmaintained tramping track that commands good navigating skills and good fitness, take the Weraroa track over Pt 949 and onto Weraroa Pt 1088 from there carry on in a south easterly direction before arriving at the 3 W junction, (Weraroa, Waihora, and Waihaha), Waihaha hut is another 7 k and about 3.5 hours away.

expect about 8-9 hours and about 20 k

Monday

Waihaha Hut to Carpark

From Waihaha Hut it is in easy well-formed scenic track that never disappoints down to the Waihaha river car park, and the awaiting bus, expect about 9 – 10 K and 3 hours. We will save the southern Pureora/Hauhungaroa section for later in the year.

Organiser: Chris Peard 021 277 0270

Drivers; Ajay / Arletta

Cost: $130 Medium Fit Party

$90 Fit Party

Out party fit, now full, you must contact the trip organiser if you are wanting this option!

Payment in full by 15 April please.

Gear List: NSTC Gear List.pdf

Social 7:30pm:2026/27 XmasTrip, Trip Videos, Safety in the Wild, AGM Wed 29/4 (29 Apr 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:30:00 GMT

Social Evening: 2026/27 Xmas Trip discussion, Safety, trip videos and AGM Wednesday 29 April 7:30pm Refreshments from 7pm - 7.30pm

The AGM part will be quick and efficient. The rest of the night will include:

Some photos and videos (maybe some of Antz's creations) of the latest trips - including Taranaki and Pinnacles amongst others
Presentation by a former EMT on dealing with life-threatening medical emergencies in the bush - with an opportunity for discussion
Proposals for the Christmas Trip 2026/27

Takapuna Senior Citizens Hall, behind Seven Hills Cafe, through doors behind the spiral staircase. 7 The Strand, Takapuna.

Cost: Free

Location: Senior Citizens Hall, 7 The Strand, Takapuna. See here for how to find the hall.

Weiti-Okura Walkway-Stillwater Tramp (3 May 2026)

Sat, 02 May 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Weiti-Okura Walkway-Stillwater Tramp 3^rd May 2026

9.00am Weiti Station

No Bus – please make your own way. Meet at the large, sealed carpark on the left, about 3kms down Ara Weiti Road, just before the big stone wall entrance to the private housing development.

From the car park we will head east out towards the coast and cross a small stream to Dacre Cottage before heading south along the beach towards what is known as Dacre Point and explore a little way down the Okura River before returning to the cottage. The next stage will involve a small hill to climb with some very appealing views, before heading towards Stillwater, returning back the same way.

Depending on the tide, we’ll take the chance to explore the rocky foreshore area

An easy tramp that should suit all levels of fitness, expect to tramp around 4 hours.

Trail shoes or non-leather boots are ideal. As we're walking low tide, salt water is not good for leather tramping boots.

Cost: Free

NO BUS TODAY – Please make your own way.

Organiser: Robert Brown, 020-408-79525, non-members please phone to assess suitability - no texts and no calls after 9pm.

Cascades Kauri Loop and Smyth corner - Waitakeres NOTE NEW MEETING PLACE (10 May 2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Majestical Cascades Kauri Loop with Smyth corner extension -Waitakere Ranges: Note MEETING PLACE moved to Northcote Road opposite Netball Courts

Impressive views from Smythe Corner over the Waitakeres to the wild West Coast.

Members please register by 7pm Friday 8th May 2026

Non-members please contact Tania 021 902048 or Eric 0274 982 241 to register and assess suitability.

Cost: $15 member / $20 non members

This is a popular Waitakere Ranges tramp with an extension to Smythe Corner for fitter members.

Fit Party: Starting at Falls road car park and heading up the steps and boardwalk amongst magnificent Kauri. Once we hit the end of the upper kauri track, fitter members will turn off and head to Smyth corner trig. This section of the track has been closed for many years and recently reopened. At the trig there are lovely views out to Bethells Beach and Anawhata. From here, we head back and join the Montana Heritage trail loop and walk out to the reservoir. This is a lovely place to stop for lunch. From here, we start the descent on the fence line trail. This trail takes you through very large Kauri and regenerating forest. Good level of fitness required for this one. Lots of stairs and ups and downs. Trail is very good underfoot but long and hilly. Length of hike 18.5km and 735m total elevation gain. Expect 4.5-5 hours walking.

Medium Party: Will leave the fitter group at the junction to Smyth Corner and continue along the renowned Montana Heritage trail, stopping for lunch at the reservoir -approx 11km and 500m elevation gain.

Please make sure all your gear is clean to help protect these magnificent kauri trees: boots or shoes, walking poles, packs (as they'll ground contact during breaks) need to be clean.

IMPORTANT, please bring a change of footwear for after & a bag to put your dirty footwear in and PLEASE remember to thoroughly clean your gear afterwards too.

* For those that live in the Waitakeres or nearby and drive there, all our tramping bus passengers will alight and meet at the bottom block of toilets at Falls Road, Waitakere Ranges (please advise organiser if meeting us there).

Maps (Montana Walk Only): Strava Route /Printable/Online/GPS

Cost: Member $15, Non Member $20

Depart: 8.00 am Sunday 10th May from Carpark on the Eastern side of Poenamo Hotel 31 Northcote Road - opposite the netball courts

Organiser: Tania 021 902048 and Eric 0274982241
(Non-members please phone/txt anytime)

Driver: Arletta

Gear list here: NSTC Gear List- March24.pdf

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.

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 (Draft)

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. Assemble at or before 11 am 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 before 11 am on the 28^th at Nelson Airport. One out party will consist of 6 members, and the other 5 members.

Costs:

Home: TBC Approx $620.00 - excludes accommodation Motueka but excludes kayaking/water taxis in Abel Tasman

Out Party 1: TBC Approx $520.00 Includes all accommodation including huts during tramp

Out Party 2: TBC Approx $345.00 Includes van and 2 nights accommodation in Cobb Houses, but does NOT include cost of 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 - although 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 are hoping to offer the group the opportunity for two overnighters, firstly a two-hour walk to Sylvester Hut, and a second 5 to 6 hour walk to Balloon Hut. Both huts are bookable so there will be 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 5 to 6 hours for OP1, and up to 9 hours for OP2.

A. OP1: Medium/Fit Out Party: We are planning to book all huts, 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: We will need to carry tents for the duration of all the tramps. Plan is to join the home party in Cobb Valley for the first night on the 28th Dec before setting out for an epic 7-night exploration of Kahurangi Park.

Back to Cobb Valley 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 $

Leader:

Note - Cooking equipment is to be carried for the Home Party Two Day Trip options. Huts are bookable.

Day Walks:

Two Day Trips:

OUT PARTIES

All registrants required to have completed a River Crossing Course

Costs: Out Party 1 $

Out Party 2 $

OP1: M/F (Medium /Fit): Up to 6 hours per day. Off track and above bush line travel to be expected. Varied and challenging terrain. Experience, fitness and stamina necessary. No need to carry tents.

Out Party 1 - Stage 1 Limit 5

Topo maps

Leader:

28^th December: Cobb House

29th December:

Out Party 2 - Stage 1 Limit 5

Leader:

28^th December:

29th December:

Topo maps

STAGE 2 M/F (Medium/Fit)

Leader:

30^th December:

31^st December:

1^st January:

2^nd January:

3^rd January:

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.