• Welcome to the Masterton Tramping Club website, we are a small, friendly and active club. We offer a wide variety of adventures throughout the year. These trips vary from easy, one day walks, to multi day camping trips in the south island.

    Masterton Tramping Club

  • We meet on the first Wednesday of each month (except January) at the Masterton Community Centre, 41 Perry Street. Meetings start at 7.30pm, and at most meetings we have a guest speaker or some form of training. Visitors and prospective members are encouraged to come along to meetings and join a trip.

    Some examples of past trips include:

    • Family day trip to Kapiti Island
    • Camping at top of Cone, Tararuas
    • Easy overnighter to Tutuwai Hut
    • Week long adventure past Dragon’s Teeth in Kahurangi National Park
    • Off-track adventure, Kiriwhakapapa area, Tararuas

    We organise a trip most weekends, either a local trip usually on a Sunday, or a longer overnight trip which may go beyond the immediate area of the Tararuas.

    Trip categories are:

    • Easy: 4-6 hours, possibly hills with plenty of rest stops. Suitable for beginners.
    • Easy+: 4-6 hours, probably some short hills.
    • Average: 5-8 hours, some hills, fewer rest stops. Suitable for people with reasonable fitness and some experience.
    • Fit: 6+ hours per day, lots of hills, may go off-track, stops for lunch and ‘smoko’. Suitable for experienced trampers with good fitness.

    We suggest the new members start with an Easy trip to assess their fitness.
    The Club has some equipment available for members to borrow

    Link to Clubs Constitution 2025

    Welcome

  • Upcoming Trips

    f you're interested in joining us on any of our trips, please come along to our Club night and make contact with the trip leader.

    We usually offer a trip each weekend, either a day trip on a Sunday, or an overnight tramp. Day trips are a great way to gain fitness without having to carry a heavy pack. Each trip has an indicated grading, and approximate transport cost. All potential members are urged to start with an easy trip so as to judge their fitness, confidence and ability. If in doubt check with the trip leader.

    Trip Gradings

    Easy - 3 - 6 hours, little climbing. Suitable for beginners

    Easy + - 3 - 6 hours, probably some short hills

    Average - 5 - 8 hours, some experience required almost certainly some hill work

    Fit - 6+ hours, good fitness required, may go off track

    MAY


    24th May
    Southern Walkway Wellington
    Oriental Bay to Island Bay 4-5 hours
    The route is largely in the Town Belt.
    Cost: Car to Upper Hutt: $15
    Train to Wellington: Cash $11.50, Snapper $6-27
    Bus to/from Island Bay: Cash $6, Snapper $3-15
    Grade: Easy +
    Travel Costs: $25 approx.
    Leader: Nigel Boniface
    Phone: 027 356 6322


    JUNE


    Weds 3rd June

    7.30pm
    Club Night. News, trips done, trips coming up
    MTC 2026 AGM
    Speaker: Three Capes Track, Tasmania, Sandra Burles
    Prospective
    members
    welcome
    Community Centre,
    41 Perry St,
    Masterton

    6th/7th June
    Alpha Hut overnight
    Starting at Kaitoke, walking up the Marchant Ridge to
    Alpha Hut, options for the return route depending on
    river levels!
    Grade: Average
    Car Pool Costs: $15
    Leader: Conrad McCaffrey
    027 338 5008

    14th June

    Rimutaka Trig Track
    Starts near the summit of the Rimutaka Hill road.
    Zigzag upwards through regenerating native trees &
    shrubs. Great view from the top (on a clear day )
    Grade: Easy
    Car Pool Costs $12
    Leader: Josh Oakly
    027 303 0002

    20th/21st June

    Tutuwai Hut overnight from Kaitoke.
    Option of taking the ‘upper’ Dobson track as a route in
    or out depending on time & weather.
    Grade: Average
    Car Pool Costs: $15
    Leader: Tony Spittal
    022 454 1107

    JULY

    Weds 1st July

    7.30pm
    Club Night. News, trips done, trips coming up
    Speaker: Ivory Lake – Paul Furkert
    10 min talk: Hear all about it… Feb 2027 club trip to
    Whakapapa – Laura & Tony
    Prospective
    members
    welcome
    Community Centre,
    41 Perry St,
    Masterton

    5th July

    Boggy Pond & Wairio wetlands
    The largest wetland complex in the southern North
    Island, supporting native plants and animals of national
    and international importance.
    Grade: Easy
    Car Pool Cost $13
    Leader: Josh Oakly
    027 303 0002

    12th July

    Holdsworth Trap Lines
    Explore the trap lines at Holdsworth. May involve hills,
    wet feet, mud, bush bashing and dead animals!
    Grade: Easy +
    Car Pool Costs: $8
    Leader: Nigel Boniface
    027 356 6322

    18th/19th July

    Roaring Stag Hut overnight
    Starting from Putara Road end on Saturday, walk in and
    stay at the hut, return to road end on Sunday
    Grade: Easy +
    Car Pool Cost: $12
    Leader: Gail Edwards
    027 675 8257

    Weds 22nd July
    MTC Winter Dinner & Silent Auction Club Fundraiser
    Carterton Golf Club, Vegetarian option available.
    Looking for donation of items to auction: contact Gail
    $44 members
    $49 non-mbrs
    Laura Hopkins
    021 060 5375

    25th/26th July

    Mitre Flats overnight

    Starting at The Pines road end on Saturday morning,
    tramp to Mitre Flats Hut, return Sunday
    Grade: Easy +
    Car Pool Costs: $8
    Leader: Sandra Burles
    021 061 7054

    AUGUST

    2nd August
    Argyle Track and Northern Tararua explore
    Starting from Naenae Road, let’s go and see what’s
    there!
    Grade: Easy +
    Car Pool Costs: $15
    Leader: Conrad McCaffrey
    027 338 5008

    Weds 5th August 7.30pm
    Club Night.

    News, trips done, trips coming up
    Speaker: North West Circuit, Rakiura. Tanya & Rebecca
    10 min talk: Washing your feather/down gear – Gail
    Prospective
    members
    welcome
    Community Centre,
    41 Perry St,
    Masterton

    9th August

    Powell Hut
    Starting at Holdsworth carpark, head up for lunch and
    hopefully a chance to enjoy some snow
    Grade: Easy +
    Car Pool Cost: $8
    Leader: Tony Spittal
    022 454 1107

    16th August

    Kiriwhakapapa: Navigation Exercise & pot luck lunch
    Join Conrad & Gail at Kiriwhakapapa. In teams, you’ll be
    navigating your way to specific points. Then meeting
    back at the shelter for a shared lunch
    Grade: Easy
    Car Pool Cost: $8
    Leaders: Conrad +
    Gail Edwards
    027 675 8257

    23rd August

    Fensham Reserve
    Join Sandra for a walk around this 48 hectare reserve
    with remnant kahikatea swamp forest and wetlands.
    No dogs
    Grade: Easy
    Car Pool Costs $8
    Leader: Sandra Burles
    021 061 7054


  • Trip Reports

    Read about some of the trips we've been on recently

    A Ridge too far - Mick Track
    2026年5月24日
    A Ridge too far – Mick track 14/3/2026 Having always had an interest in aviation, the sites of aircraft accidents with extant debris has always been a draw, and in particular the site of the RNZAF Ventura crash inland from Ōtaki has been on my to do list. While researching the trip to this...
    Read more...
    Remutaka Summit to Bucks Road
    2026年5月3日
    Remutaka Summit to Bucks Road. 3rd May 2026. On the 3rd of May a party of six consisting of Gail, Bruce, Michelle,Phil, John and Josh met at Featherston for a day trip along the Remutaka Range. After swapping cars two at Bucks Road and the other Two left at the Remutaka Pass , we started our...
    Read more...
    Rewanui
    2026年4月29日
    We had a lovely walk today with 7 of us. Sorry we were a bit disorganised without Mike. Lorelei filled in for him. In attendance was Phil B, Brenda B, Heather McD, Geraldine O, Kat R, Liz McG, John C and Lorelei. We went to Rewanui and found the exotic track closed due to dozens of fallen trees...
    Read more...
    More Posts

  • Club History

    The Club was formed in 1957 with the amalgamation of the YMCA Tramping Club and the Masterton Outdoor and Social Club.
    At that time members were also participating in the construction of what was to be called Blue Range Hut, a joint exercise with the NZ Forest Service.
    The Club also inherited a hut at Mitre Flats, the second hut at that location.
    The Hut on the Atiwhakatu River was built during 1968.
    Today the Club still maintains Blue Range Hut, it being a non core hut, for DoC and the community. The Tararua Aorangi Rimutaka Huts committee helps with funding for this work.
    The third hut at Mitre Flats, and the second Atiwhakatu Hut are both core DoC Huts, although Club members still help with minor repairs and maintenance.

     

     

     

     

  • Huts

    Section image

    Blue Range Hut

    Grid Reference: E1812491, N5481135 (NZTM2000)

    Bunks: 4 Single
    Cost: 1 Standard Hut Ticket
    The Hut was built during 1957 and 1958 by members of the newly formed Masterton Tramping Club, and staff from the NZ Forest Service. The Club organised a trip at fortnightly intervals for 18 months to carry the materials up, with regular races to see how many return trips could be made in one day, it is nearly a 700 metre climb.
    The Hut was opened by Mr. D.Blythe (NZFS) and Ted Esler, an early member of the Club, on Sunday 9th November 1958.
    More Info

    Section image

    Atiwhakatu Hut

    Grid Reference: E1806817, N5472972 (NZTM2000)

    Bunks: 26 bunks in three separate rooms
    Cost: 1 Standard Hut Ticket
    The first hut was built in 1968 as a joint venture between the Club and NZFS, and slept 8-10.
    When the hut was opened it was a three hour walk along the Atiwhakatu track, which had many climbs and descents, no wonder that the river was a popular option.
    Today, with the new(ish) track it is an easy 90 minute walk, and about 30 minutes for a fit mountain runner.
    The new hut, built by DoC, was opened in June 2009. It is a much larger 12 bunker of the latest design.
    Due to unprecedented demand DoC once again extended it, to its new 26 sleeping design in 2013. The club no longer maintains this hut.
    More Info

    Section image

    Mitre Flats 3

    Grid Reference: E1808985, N5477084 (NZTM2000)

    Bunks: Two platform Bunks, sleeps 14
    Cost: 1 Serviced Hut Ticket
    After many years of consultation and fund-raising Mitre Flats 3 was constructed in 1988 by the Department of Conservation at a total cost of $29,000. With $4,000 being donated by Masterton Tramping Club, (including $400 from Masterton Licensing Trust, $275 from South Wairarapa Tramping Club and $25 from Kaumatua Tramping Club).
    The first hut was built in 1935 and the second hut was built in 1953
    More Info

  • Library

    Masterton Tramping Club has some books that we are happy to lend out. If interested please enquire by contacting us.

    Books available to lend

    MTC Library list

    Tramping guide books

    North Island weekend tramps. Barnett S. (2002)

    North West Nelson tramping Guide Shaw,D. (1991)

    Off the beaten track – 20 multi day walks on NZ farm and backcountry tracks.

    Moore,C. (2009)

    Ruahine Forest Park. A guide to family walks. Ombler, K. (1993)

    Tararua Footprints. A Tramper's Guide to the Tararua Ranges. Rodgers, M. (1996)

    Tararua Forest Park Route Guide Jennings J.N. NZFS (1981)

    The Forest and Bird Book of Nature Walks. Collingwood, D. Sale E.V. (1985)

    Tramping in New Zealand – 40 great New Zealand tramping trips. Barnett, S. (2008)

    Tramping in North Island Forest Parks Nichol, E Nichol, J. (1991)

    Tramping in the South Island Brabyn , S. (1995)

    Tramping in the Southern Alps Brabyn, S. Bryant, E. (1993)

    Spot X, Tramping New Zealand. Over 400 Tracks Moore, C. (2007)

    Wairarapa Moana Wetlands- Sea of Glistening Waters. GWRC

    Fauna and Flora Guides

    A guide to the identification of New Zealand common weeds in Colour. Upritchard,

    E.A.

    (1986)

    New Zealand coast and mountain plants. Dawson, J. Lucas, R. (1996)

    The Reed Handbook of Common New Zealand Birds Kinsky F.C. Robertson C.J.R.

    and Marshall J (1987)

    Wild Orchids of the Lower North Island. DOC (2007)

    Outdoor skills Guides

    MSC Abseiling handbook. Mountain Safety Council (2002)

    MSC Alpine skills. Wyatt, G. (2005)

    MSC Bushcraft outdoor skills for the NZ Bush. Mountain Safety Council (2006)

    MSC Outdoor First Aid. Mountain Safety Council (2004) 2x Copies

    MSC Outdoor safety risk management for outdoor leaders. Mountain Safety Council

    (1993)

    General Interest

    A Wild life – Photographs from the Backcountry of Aotearoa. Barnett, S. (2024)

    Bold beyond belief. Bill Denz New Zealand’s Mountain Warrior. Maxim, P. (2011)

    Leading the way. 100 years of the Tararua Tramping Club. Barnett, S. Maclean, C.

    (2019)

    New Zealand’s Islands. McGeorge, P. McGeorge, R. (2004)

    New Zealand; Land of Birds Moon G. (2001)

    Old Boots and Packs. The First 50 years of the Palmerston North Tramping and

    Mountaineering Club. Strachan, D. (2015)

    Plant Icons of New Zealand Church G. and Greenfield P. (2005)

    Te Araroa- The New Zealand trail. Chapple, G. (2002)

    The Great Unknown -Mountain Journeys in the Southern Alps. Spearpoint, G. (

    2019)

    Tramping A New Zealand Story Barnett, S. Maclean C. ( 2014) Signed by Authors

    Tramping and Mountaineering 2018. WTMC (2019)

    The Natural World of New Zealand. An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of NZ's Natural

    Heritage Hutching, G. (1998)

    Wairarapa, A Place Apart. Nikolaison, P. and Wall, M. (2006)

    Wilderness walks. Moore,,C. (1996)

  • Get in contact

    Use the form to enquire about going tramping, joining the club or just to seek general information about tramping in the local ranges.

    41 Perry St, Masterton
    mastertontc@gmail.com
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