TEN TRAMP MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION YEAR: 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026
The cost of all tramps is $25 unless otherwise noted.
 

14 January          8.30am                 Rakaia Gorge Walkway
2^nd Pick-up  Yaldhurst Hotel
Easy walk with some moderate climbs and descents.  Lovely views of the river.
Standard Route:  Evans Family Reserve to Boat Harbour via the Loop Track and return.
Alternate Route:  Evans Family Reserve to Boat Harbour and return.
Statistics:  Distance – 10.5km/8km. Elevation gain – 414/300m. Time – 3hr 30mins

21 January          8.30am                 Hoon Hay Reserve/Gibraltar Rock/Bellbird
2^nd Pick-up Princess Margaret Hospital car park
Easy ridge walk with some descents and climbs.  Lunch at Coopers Knob/Gibraltar rock
Standard Route:  Hoon Hay Reserve, Sign of the Bellbird, Crater Rim Walkway, Ellas Track, Ohinetahi Bush, Orongamai Reserve, Coopers Knob drop down onto Summit Rd then make your way up to Gibraltar Rock and return to Bellbird carpark
Alternate Route:  As above to Coopers Knob then return to Bellbird carpark.
Statistics: Distance – 12.6km/9.6km, elevation gain 650m/433m, time 4hr/3hr

28 January          8.30am                 Hogs Back Track
2^nd Pick up – Yaldhurst Hotel
Easy to moderate walk from Castle Hill Village across undulating scrub and forest
Standard Route:  From the access road to Thomas Bush just west of Castle Hill Village the track climbs through beech forest onto the Long Spur ridgeline. After following the ridgeline the track then descends across the open flats below Long Spur to the beech forest at Long Creek. A walk through the beech forest is followed by a short climb up the true right of Waterfall Creek. After crossing Waterfall Creek, the track then traverses across to the western side of the Hogs Back ridge and up onto ridge for lunch.  Return same track.
Alternate Route:   As above stopping for lunch anywhere along the track, before returning.
Statistics:  Distance 15.4/14km, elevation gain, 415m/400m, time 5 hr

4 February          8.30am                 Sign of the Bellbird – Evans Pass
2^nd Pick -up – N/A
Open grassy ridge climb to start, some tussock type country with easy walking passages, bush clad boulder rock hopping sections, steeper climbing and descent sections.
Standard Route:  Crater Rim Walkway from the Sign of the Bellbird to Evans Pass
Alternate Route:  Crater Rim Walkway from the Sign of the Kiwi to Evans Pass
Statistics:  17km/14km, elevation gain 670-800m/410m. Time: 5hr 30min/5hr

11 February        8.30am                 Mt Thomas
2^nd P/U: Ohoka Rd Silverstream between Island Rd & Silverstream Blvd
Moderate steepish steady climb all the way to lunch time, then downhill home in the foothills between Oxford and Loburn.
Standard Route:  Up Ridge track, along the ridge to summit of Mt Thomas returning via Wooded Gully or as agreed.
Alternate Route:  Up Ridge track, follow ridge with options to go down Wooded Gully track or continue to Mt Thomas and return down Summit Track (steeper).
Statistics:  Distance – 146m/12km. Elevation gain 840m/470m. Time 5hr 45min/4hr 30min

18 February        8.30am                 Pony Point – Barnett Park
2^nd Pick up – Barnett Park
A mixture of gradual and steeper climbs and descents between Lyttelton and Moncks Bay. Skirts Lyttelton’s northern boundary to connect with Major Hornbrook and Chalmers Tracks, then up to the Crater Rim Walkway and the gun emplacements. Down to Summit Road and Eastenders Track.
Standard Route:  From the Pony Point Reserve layby, follow the coastal track and continue past torpedo Boat Museum and Fort Erskine gun emplacement earthworks. Take the footpath towards Lyttelton.  The Leaders Guide identifies the road to take to reach the bottom of Major Hornbrook Track. Take Major Hornbrook Track to Chalmers Track, turning right into the quarry for lunch (or a bit further to a rise above Lyttelton – viewpoint).
After lunch complete Chalmers Track to the saddle where it meets the Crater Rim Walk-way. Climb left to the gun emplacements, descend to the Summit Road and take the Eastenders Track and the Barnett Park Track to the Pick Up at the carpark
Alternate Route:  As per Standards but starting from Corsair Bay.
Statistics:  Distance – 13.6km. Elevation 562m/408m. Time 4hr 20min

25 February        8.30am                 Prebble Hill
2^nd P/U  Yaldhurst Hotel
Moderate walk on farmland above Porters Pass. Magnificent limestone outcrops. Difficult crossings of the porter river.  RIVER LEVEL DEPENDENT – MUST FORD RIVER
Standard Route:  Proceed along formed farm track to the Porter River to cross.  Follow roughly formed farm track along river terrace towards the large escarpment. Pick up deer fence and follow the stock track, keeping the deer fence on the right until you reach the formed road again. Follow this ‘road’ to the back of Prebble Hill.  Cross fence and follow across ground to a bald-looking ridge (at the bottom of this is an orange marker on a matagouri bush). Climb the ridge to a stock track, which takes you to a saddle below Prebble Hill.  From here there is an easy climb following the ridge to the top of Prebble Hill.  Lunch.  After lunch return via same crossing of Porter River as used on the way in.
Alternate Route:  Start and return as per Standards re crossing Porter River (Castle Hill Station main access track). Once over river walk as far as comfortable and reverse to return.
Statistics:  Distance 14km/10km, elevation gain 394m/215m, Time 4hr/3hr

4 March               8.30am                 Boundary Hill – Red Lakes
2^nd pick up   Yaldhurst Hotel
High country farm walk.
Standard Route:   Grassy river terraces to start, then level and easy graded alpine pasture with some short steep pitches both up and down.  Outstanding 360⁰ views from the top of hill with a marked steep descent to follow.  Finishes with a gentle descent along a grassed four-wheel drive track, a level pitch across high country pasture to the Red Lakes, a further level section of farm track and a short stroll along the grassy verges of the Lyndon Road
Alternate Route:  As per standards but returning to drop off point when agreed by group.
Statistics:  Distance 11.5km/7.6km, elevation gain 519m/400m, time 4hr/ 4hr 45min

11 March             8.00am                 Mt Richardson
AS THE BUS CAN NOT ACCESS THE CAR PARK, CARS WILL BE USED FOR THIS TRAMP
2^nd pick-up  – N/A
Standard Route Mt Richardson Track to the trig station at the top of the mountain, lunch, east along the Blowhard Track and down the Bypass Track and Glentui Nature Walk to the picnic area.
Alternate Route:  Mt Richardson track to the top clearing at the bushline or the top of the mountain as suits, for lunch. Then return by the same route in reverse to the picnic area.
Option to walk up the Bypass track as far as practicable and return via same route
Statistics:  Distance 18km/15km, elevation gain 919m/610mm, Time 5hr 30min.

18 March             8.30am                 Leith Hill Slump – Kura Tawhiti
2^nd Pick up Yaldhurst Hotel
From Castle Hill Village, crossing forest and farm land, with great views over the area.
Standard Route A steady uphill walk along Hogsback track and upper logging access track through bush initially, then into the open and continue along this section until a junction. Take the left (straight ahead junction).  Follow down to Thomas River and cross, left along river and up the trail that joins the Leith Hill Slump Track to the sink hole for lunch. Continue past sinkhole out of the forest, cross fence on the right, onto Castle Hill Station. Follow down fence line to bulldozer track. Continue to Kura Tawhiti/Limestone Tors
Alternate Route:  Alternate may choose to omit the inital logging access track section
Statistics:  Distance 10.2km/9km, elevation gain 873m, time 4hr/3hr 35min

25 March             8.00am                 Mt Alford
2^nd pick up:  Yaldhurst Hotel
Moderate climb through bush and farmland to a viewpoint south of Mt Hutt
Standard Route Steady climb (600m vertical) along a poled route through beech forest then tussock and sub alpine scrub to top of Mt Alford (1171m) returning on same track.
Alternate Route: As per standards climbing as high as able
Statistics:  Distance 9km/7km, elevation gain 730m/430m, time 4hr 45min/4hr

TEN TRAMP MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION YEAR: 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026

The cost of all tramps is $25 unless otherwise noted.

1 October            8.30am                 Halswell Quarry – Kennedys Bush – Sign of the Bellbird – Sign of the Takahe
2^nd P/U: Princess Margaret Hospital Bus(bush) stop.
Moderate walk on the Port Hills up to the Crater Rim and around.
Standard Route:  As per Alternates but continue to the Sign of the Takahe via the Harry Ell Track.
Alternate Route:  Distance 16km.  Steep track up the side of the quarry, then a long steady climb up (380m vertical) Kennedys Bush Track to the Summit Road.  Turn right and follow track through Kennedys Bush to the Sign of the Bellbird.  Cross the Summit Road, Take Ellas Track (Crater Rim Walkway) to the Sign of the Kiwi.
Statistics:  distance 16km/14km, elevation 462m, Time 4hr 30mins

8 October            8.30am                 Mt Grey – Ashley Forest
2^nd P/U Woodend
Moderate, steady climb to the top of the mountain, return to Lake Janet Picnic Area. Standard Route:  From junction/corner of Mt Grey and Okuku roads 1km downhill to Grey Track start, up this to the Mt Grey trig and then return via Lake Janet Track to the picnic area.  690m climb.
Alternate Route:  From Lake Janet to Mt Grey returning of the same track.  480m climb.
Statistics: 16.2km/14km, elevation gain 816m/417m, Time 4hr

15 October         8.30am                 Morgans Valley to Summer/Lyttelton
2^nd P/U  Trampers who wish to can leave their cars at the start of the tramp, the small
Reserve opposite No 12 Morgans Valley.  All trampers will be returned by coach to this point.
Standard Route:  Starting from the small reserve, take the track up from Morgans Valley until the T junction below houses. Turn right and continue following track past transmitters and arrive in John Britten reserve. Follow track keeping uphill right. Then before meeting the Summit Rd, turn right at the “rock” crossing track intersection. Now head towards the saddle before the gondola. A short distance on Summit Road, then at saddle follow Major Hornbrook track down to Lyttelton. At the bottom of Major Hornbrook track turn left into Somes St. Continue into Days Rd, right into Brenchley Rd, left into College Rd, right into Reserve Tce. Go through small cyclone gate opposite No 91B Reserve Tce. Alternates divert from here as below. Up the Urumau reserve ridge track. Continue towards the gun emplacements until crossing a stile to your right, and track to Evans Pass which is clearly marked. From Evans Pass take Captain Thomas Track, from near the Summit Road / Evans Pass intersection. Follow it to Sumnervale Reserve and Pick Up.
Alternate Route:  As for the Standard route until the cyclone gate. From the cyclone gate, up the track turning left where it meets the wider track and at the turn off turn right into Looper track. When it starts to go down, follow the banked bike track back down to Reserve Tce. From Reserve Tce, turn right into Stevensons Steep, right into St Davids St, left into Exeter St, then left into Oxford St. Coach pickup is Te Ana Marina.
Statistics:  Distance 13km

22 October         8.00am                 Mt Oxford – Ryde Falls
2^nd P/U Manderville, on Tram Road just past the shopping centre and intersection.
Standard Route:  Mt Oxford is a relentless, steep 1000m climb.
Alternate Route:  Ryde Falls is an undulating walk through Beech Forest to the bottom of a tiered waterfall tumbling off Mt Oxford.
Statistics:  15km/13km, elevation gain 960m/218m, 6hr 25min/5hr

29 October         8.30am                 Dracophyllum Flat
2^nd P/U Yaldhurst Hotel (Note: Park in School Rd behind Oderings cross Yaldhurst Rd for pickup at the pub.)
Through bush and alpine pasture to Texas Flat for lunch. Mostly easy gradients for the alternates. Standards undulating alpine pastures and river crossing to Highway 73.
Standard Route:  Follow cycle trail almost to Texas Flat then across country via a crossing of Broken River to Hwy 73.
Alternate Route:  Follow cycle trail to Texas Flat then access road to the Broken River
Bridge on Highway 73.
Statistics:  13.6km/12km, elevation 780m/550m, time 4hr 30min

5 November      8.30am                 Peak Hill Lake Coleridge
2^nd P/U  Yaldhurst Hotel (Note: Park in School Rd behind Oderings cross Yaldhurst Rd for pickup at the pub.)
Moderate to difficult open hill walk on Doc land beside Lake Coleridge. Magnificent views.
Standard Route:  Follow track from bottom Peak Hill to the top 700m climb. Continue along and down ridge to DOC sign corner. Don’t go through newish gate. Keep on uphill side of fence, sharp left turn to follow fence line ALL the way back to the stile and back out to farm and start. Standard Old route – Follow track from bottom Peak Hill to the top 700m climb. Return via same way.
Alternate Route:  Follow track from bottom Peak Hill to first knob for lunch and return. Option 2 – Cross the stile and turn left. Follow the fence line round to the saddle for lunch and return the same way.
Statistics:  9.5km/7-10km, elevation 715m/300m, Time 5hr/4hr

12 November    8.30am                 Awa Awa / McLennans Bush
2^nd P/U  Yaldhurst Hotel (Note: Park in School Rd behind Oderings cross Yaldhurst Rd for pickup at the pub.)
Rhododendron reserve.  Steady climb through bush.
Standard Route:  Scott’s Saddle Track to ridge overlooking Hood Highway – Mt Hutt ski field access road. Return via Scott’s Saddle Track, the Ridge and Alder Tracks.
Alternate Route:  Scott’s Saddle Track to the first sub alpine clearing for lunch. Return down Scott’s Saddle Track and follow the Ridge Track left into Alder Track to the bus.
Statistics:  Distance 11km,  elevation 760m/640m, Time 4hr 45min

19 November    8.00am                 Purple Peak Akaroa
2^nd P/U  Halswell Library    
Moderate climbs and descents on the hills behind Akaroa.
Standard Route:   Cross the Rec Ground and follow Woodhills Rd/track to the Heritage Park. From here continue up to Purple Peak. Return down the Purple Peak track. Approx 2/3 of the way down cross the fence on the right(stile) onto the Woodhills South track which traverses across to Rue Grehan. Turn left here to return to the Rec Ground.
Alternate Route:  As above but starting at the Heritage Park halfway up the hill.
Statistics:  Distance 12km/10.1km, elevation 975m, Time 4hr 30min

26 November    8.30am                 Kowai River
2^nd P/U  Yaldhurst Hotel (Note: Park in School Rd behind Oderings cross Yaldhurst Rd for pickup at the pub.)
Standard Route:  Follow the old 4WD track, river and river flats to hut and return.
Alternate Route:  Old 4WD track along the true right of the Kowai River as far as practicable and return.
Statistics:  Distance 10km approx.

3 December       8.30am                 Hill Top to Cooptown (Montgomery Park and Whatarangi Reserve)
2^nd P/U  Halswell Library
Moderate walk climbing through native forest undulating along the ridge and then down to Cooptown.
Standard Route:  From the Hilltop Hotel walk to the entrance of Montgomery Reserve on Pigeon Bay Road. Climb through the reserve and join Pettigrews Road Track. Go through the Whatarangi Reserve to the vicinity of Mt Sinclair. Join up with the Alternative Group and continue on P’s Road Track. Turn left through a gate and a fence line to Rocky Peak Farm and continue down to the farm access road to Harmans Track and the Pick Up.
Alternate Route:  Start at the DOC “Pettigrews Road” stile downhill from the intersection of Pigeon Bay Road and Pettigrews Road. Follow Pettigrews Road Track in the direction of the Port Levy Saddle, continue through the Whatarangi Reserve and on to the ridge lunch spot after joining up with the Standard Group. Continue on P’s Road Track. Turn left through a gate and a fence line to Rocky Peak Farm and continue down to the farm access road to Harmans Track and the Pick Up.
Statistics:  15.8km, elevation 504m, Time 4hr 30min

10 December     8.30am                 Christmas Lunch / Mt Cass to Amberley Hotel
2^nd P/U:  Woodend
Standard / Alternate Route:  Follow the track to Mt Cass and return via the loop track to the Carpark.
Lunch at the Amberley Hotel.
Statistics:  Elevation 385m, Time 3hr approx.

17 December     9.30am                 Optional Self-Drive Walk.
Old Lebons Bay Rd. Meeting at the Akaroa Recreation Ground carpark at 9.30am. We intend to then drive a few carloads of people up to the top of the Old Lebons Bay Track, walk down this through Takamatua, the Sculpture Park, Childrens Bay back to the Recreation ground. Then pick up the cars from the Summit Rd.