Eastern Tararuas Trip: Extended Labour Weekend: Thurs 24th to Monday 28th October’24
It is almost 4 years since our last adventure into the Tararuas. This will be Part 2 of my Tararuas Adventures. Given the distance from Auckland, this is a rare opportunity to enjoy the splendour and majesty of the birthplace of organised tramping in New Zealand. It will require Friday the 23rd Oct off work.
We will be driving to Waikoko campsite, just out of Turangi, on the Thursday night.
Accommodation options: Tenting or sleeping on the bus.
- $50 deposit required by 31st August with full payment due by 1st October please.
- Trip limited to 20 people
- Trip Grading Information
Thursday 24th Oct: Drive from Auckland to Waikoko Campsite
(15 km south of Turangi on SH1, turn off on to Kaimanawa Rd.)
Accommodation options: camping or sleeping on the bus.
Friday 25th Oct: 8am: Depart from Waikoko Campsite for Masterton
Turn off SH 2, 26Km from Eketahuna onto Kiriwhakapapa Rd. Kiriwhakapapa Roadend & Campsite (7km)
After dropping off the Fit Party, Medium Party will travel back onto SH2 to Masterton and then 2 km south of Masterton turning off State Highway 2 onto Norfolk Road. Follow Norfolk Road for 15 km to the Holdsworth Road-end and Mt Holdsworth Campground.
Fit Trip (F) - Limit 8: Tents required
Trip Leader: Kevin Osten
Friday 25th Oct: ~1pm: Depart from Kiriwhakapapa Campsite Roadend and climb up over Blue Range via Blue Range Hut (4) before traversing the range (978M) to the Waingawa River.
Cross the Waingawa River to Cow Creek Hut (6) ~4-5 hours.
Bookings not available - first come, first served. Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, $10)
- Tent Sites are available near the hut
Saturday 26th Oct: From Cow Creek Hut steep climb up to Table Top Range (1460M) then up to Brockett (1538M). From there last ascent to Mitre Peak / Pukeamoanoa, the highest peak in the Tararuas at 1571M! Then traverse across to Peggy’s Peak (1545M) before descending to Mitre Flats Hut (~8 ½ hrs)
Sunday: 27th Oct. From Mitre Flats Hut over Barton Track then across walk bridge onto Atiwhatakatu River Track. After ~1km take Jumbo Track climbing to Jumbo Hut at 1200M. (6 ½ hrs)
Jumbo Hut: 20 bunk beds.
- As a booking is required, Club has prebooked this.
Monday 28th Oct: Descend down Rain Gauge Spur Track to Atiwhakatu Hut then to Holdsworth Carpark (3 ½ hr) ~1pm: Pick up Medium Party up from Kiriwhakapapa Campground. Drive back to AK
Price: $240
- Includes Prebooked night at Jumbo Hut
Medium Trip (M): Limit 12 - Tents required
Trip Leader: Peter Wortman & Co Leader- TBA
Friday 25th Oct: ~2pm: Depart from Holdsworth Roadend to Donnelly Flat then onto Atiwhakatu Track to Atiwhakatu Hut (2 ½ hrs). This will be an easier day..jpeg)
Atiwhakatu Hut: 26 bunk beds. As a booking is required Club has prebooked this hut
Saturday: 26th Oct: From Atiwhakatu Hut follow the Atiwhakatu River Track to the Barton Track. Proceed along the Barton Track to Mitre Flats Hut. ~5 ½ hrs
Sunday: 27th Oct: From Mitre Flats Hut proceed up the Waingawa River Track (True right) to Cow Creek Hut (6): (~6 hours).
Cow Creek Hut: Bookings not available - first come, first served. Standard Hut Ticket (blue for adults, $10)
- Tent Sites are available near the hut
Monday 28th Oct: From Cow Creek Hut cross the foot bridge over the Waingawa River then up the Blue Range track (978M) before descending to the Kiriwhakapapa Campground to meet the bus at ~1pm . (4 ½ hrs)
Price: $240
- Includes Prebooked night at Atiwhakatu Hut
Requirements
· Both trips involve travel on exposed tops. Full storm gear required.
· Tents to be carried
· Fit Party is only suitable for experienced trampers who don’t have issues with traversing steep terrain with drop offs
Depart: Thursday: 22nd October 6.30pm: Como Street, Takapuna
Organiser: Kevin Osten, Ph. 0274 577418
Drivers: Chris Peard and Campbell Elliot
COST
Medium Party: $240 (Includes booking at Atiwhakatu Hut)
Fit Party: $240 (Includes booking at Jumbo Hut)
· A deposit of $50 must be paid by 31st August and the balance by 1st October’24.
· For cancellations after 1st October, trip cost will only be refunded if a replacement takes up your place.
· Bring warm clothing for the bus as we will endeavour to keep the bus well ventilated
Maps for both parties
Tararua Range Topo Map
