• Masterton Tramping Club

      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.

    • Welcome

      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.

    • Upcoming Trips

      If 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.

       

      Winter Trip Schedule

       

      JULY 

      Wednesday 1st July

      Club Night News, trips done, trips coming up and a cuppa. Plant identification Quiz. Test your skills in identification of native plants, how many do you know?! AGM and supper to celebrate Level 1

       

      Sunday 5th July

      Nga Manu Reserve - Waikanae Travel to Waikanae and visit this native bird reserve. An easy stroll on flat tracks.

      Entry cost $12 adults, family $20 – incl 3 kids.

      Leader: Desiree Pearse 027 510 7106

      Grade: Easy.

      Cost $15

       

      Tuesday 7th July

      Rewa Nui Mainly farmland with a steepish climb up a farm track (don't worry, we'll be taking it slowly) to wonderful views from the trig. Continue on in a loop back to the start (there might be some muddy areas in this section). At this time of year you might get wet feet.

      Leader: Margaret McLauchlan 06 377 1981

      Grade: Easy.

      Cost $8

       

      Saturday 11th July

      Te Marua and the Hutt River Join SWTC for a combined clubs trip. Start at Te Marua and travel along the Hutt river path as far as the group decides to go. Walk or bike. Approx 16km return to Moonshine bridge.

      Leader: Jen Pomerou 027 483 4121

      Grade: Easy

      Cost TBC

       

      Sunday 19th July 

      Kiriwhakapapa Saddle Head up the track from Kiriwhakapapa road end, following along the old tram track adjacent to the stream, zig zag up to the saddle. Return the same way.

      Leader: Sandra Burles 021 2061 7054

      Grade: Easy.

      Cost $8

       

      Saturday or Sunday 25 or 26th July

      Mount Reeves, Tutuwai and Cone circuit Stretch your legs on this (approx.)16km circuit from Walls Whare via Mount Reeves, the Centre of NZ plaque, Tutuwai hut, the Tauherenikau track and Cone hut. Day trip, pick best weather day.

      Leader: Ange Minto 0274 720 660

      Grade: Average

      Cost $8

       

      AUGUST

      Sunday 2nd August

      Rocky Lookout Noisy Cascades Exploratory including the cascades near Rocky Lookout. Some off track, stream crossing and bush bashing. Approx. 4 hours.

      Leader: Gerald Leather 021 239 1946

      Grade: Average.

      Cost $8

       

      Tuesday 4th August

      Murrays Track loop to Gentle Annie Walking in an anti-clockwise direction heading along the Atiwhakatu Trahen up Murray's Track to join the main Gentle Annie Track back down to the car with a stop at Rocky Lookout on the way. Leader: Margaret McLauchlan 06 377 1981

      Grade: Easy +

      Cost $8

       

      Wednesday 5th August

      Club Night News, trips done, trips coming up and a cuppa. A sweet mixing team competition – bring an apron, your cooking skills and your camera!

       

      Saturday 8th August

      Winzenburg Hill Climb from Mount Holdsworth road end up to Winzenburg Hill. A joint trip with SWTC

      Leader: John Rhodes 06 304 9095

      Grade: Easy +

      Cost $8

       

      Sunday 9th August

      Blue Range hut From Kiriwhakapapa road end, along the valley and up the hill to visit our club hut. Top up the rat bait.

      Leader: Nigel Boniface 06 378 6556

      Grade: Easy +

      Cost $8

       

      Saturday and Sunday 15th -16th August

      Mitre Flats (hut birthday trip) Follow the Barra track alongside the Waingawa River to this serviced Club hut. Maybe a shared entree and cake. Overnight.

      Leader: Ben Parsens 022 309 4476

      Grade: Easy+

      Cost $8

       

      Sunday 23rd August

      Paekakariki Escarment Track Leave the cars at Pukerua station carpark and walk north through farmland and kohekohe forest to Paekakariki. Plenty of steps and swingbridges. Stop for a cuppa while awaiting the return train. Leader: Julie Millar 06 370 6480

      Grade: Easy

      Cost $8

       

      Saturday 28 and Sunday 29th August

      Jumbo hut Along the popular Atiwhakatu track, past Atiwhakatu hut and up the hill to Jumbo Hut. Winter skills with crampons and ice axes if snow conditions allow. Hut beds must be booked in advance.

      Leader: Barry Paget 06 378 2817

      Grade: Easy + (hut walk)

      Cost $8 + hut $15

       

      SEPTEMBER

      Wednesday 2nd September

      Club Night News, trips done, trips coming up and a cuppa. MTC Photo Competition. 10 Min Training: Tramping Apps

       

      Sunday 6th September

      Gentle Annie Saddle From Holdsworth carpark, up to Holdsworth lookout then continue along to Gentle Annie Saddle, up the other side and come out on the main Gentle Annie Track down from Point 801.

      Leader: Margaret McLauchlan 06 377 1981

      Grade : Easy Cost $8

       

      Sunday 13th September 

      Atiwhakatu Hut Stretch the legs along the Atiwhakatu track following the river, across the many side creek bridges to the hut.

      Leader: Denise Stagg 021 1161424

      Grade : Easy

      Cost $8

       

      Saturday 19 – Sunday 20th September

      Alpha hut in via Cone hut, Bull Mound, stay at Alpha hut. Out via the Omega track. Approx. 24km return.

      Leader: Ange Minto 0274 720660

      Grade: Fit

      Cost $8

       

      Sunday 20th September 

      Fensham Reserve Lots of options here - loop tracks, the lookout, check out the weta hotels, track upgrading and views.

      Leader: Ian Shanks 06 377 0716

      Grade: Easy

      Cost $8

       

      Saturday 26th and Sunday 27 September 

      Waikuku Lodge An overnight trip to the DOC lodge in the Aorangi Ranges. The lodge is booked – sign up with Nigel. Limited to 24 people.

      Leader: Nigel Boniface 06 378 6556

      Grade: Easy

      Cost $10 -20

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    • Trip Reports

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

      Cone Circuit
      May 17, 2020
      Some photos from the first club in level two 17th May 2020. The trip was the cone circuit.
      Read more...
      Buttercups, Sunrise and Rurus
      March 21, 2020
      Here is a trip report from Chris Leather just before the lockdown It was the quaint and endearing name of Buttercup Hollow that made it sound a compelling destination. This also seemed to be more accessible than other interesting sounding places in the Ruahine Forest Park, such as Deadman’s Track...
      Read more...
      Kiriwhakapapa to Mikimiki
      March 16, 2020
      Kiriwhakapapa to Mikimiki – Monday 16 March 2020 Participants: Chris, Viv, Anita, Margaret, Christine & “Dodge” With all the covid-19 happenings it was so nice to get out in the bush for a break and some fresh air. The weather forecast was for possible showers in the afternoon but it was fine...
      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.

       

      Click here to view the MTC Constitution

    • Huts

      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

      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

      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

      Wairarapa. An Historical Excursion Bagnall, A.G. (1976)

      North Island, Weekend Tramps Barnett, S (2002)

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

      New Zealand Endangered Species. Birds, Bats, Reptiles, Freshwater Fishes, Snails and Insects. Cusa, N.W., Lockley M. (1980)

      Where to Find Birds of the Wairarapa Dennison T, Scadden, Watt B

      Some Better Known NZ Wild Flowers and Birds Department of Tourism and Publicity

      The Natural World of New Zealand. An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of NZ's Natural Heritage Hutching G (1998)

      The Reed Handbook of Common New Zealand Birds Kinsky F.C., Robertson C.J.R. and Marshall J (1987)

      New Zealand Islands McGeorge P and McGeorge R (2004)

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

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

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

      Ruahine Forest Park. A guide to Family Walks, Tramping Tracks and Routes Ombler, K (1993)

      202 Great Walks. The Best Day Walks in NZ Pickering M. (2003)

      The Four Corners of New Zealand Reed A.H. (1954)

      Wairarapa Walks Rhodes, J. and Cederman, A. (1989)

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

      New Zealand Bird Portraits Soper M.F. (1963)

      New Zealand, Portrait of a Nation Stewart, G. (1985)

      From Mountains to Sea. The Story of Westland National Park Te Papa Atawhai, Department of Conservation (1990)

    • 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
      Submit

    Masterton Tramping Club © 2020

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