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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.Welcome
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.
JUNE
1st/2nd/3rd June
Bushy Park, Whanganui
A weekend exploring!
Stay at the bunkhouse for 2 nights and
walk among giant trees and experience rare
native wildlife in a stunning ancient forest.
Leader: Sandra Burles Ph 021 061 7054
Grade: Easy. Car pool cost TBA
5th June
Club Night
News, trips done, trips coming up and the MTC Club ........
8th/9th June - Would anyone like to lead or suggest a tramp?
15th /16th June
Sunrise Hut overnight
A very popular Ruahine hut, a chance to see the
sunrise over the Hawkes Bay.
Leader: Tony. Ph: 022 454 1107
Grade: Easy + . Car pool cost TBC
Hut – Must be booked, $25 adult
22nd/ 23rd June
Upper Hutt short walks
Plenty of options available – details to be confirmed
Leader: Christine. Phone 06 377 3756
Grade: Easy. Car pool cost $10
29th/30th June
Marchant ridge to Alpha Hut, return via Quoin
An opportunity to visit the newly spruced up Alpha Hut
Leader: Conrad. Ph 027 338 5008
Grade Fit . Car pool cost $8
JULY
3rd Club night
News, trips done, trips coming up
Speaker: Monique Leerschool - Long tailed bats
at Kaipaitangata.
10 min talk: Conrad - Hypothermia7th July
Old Tram Track, Kiriwhakapapa
Leader: Denise, Ph. 021 116 1424
Grade: Easy.Carpool cost: $8
14th July
Carrington Ridge
Heading up Carrington Ridge from Mangatarere Valley
Rd and coming out at Holdsworth car park.
Leader: Gail. Ph. 027 675 8257
Grade: Average.Car pool cost $10
20th/21st July
Cattle Ridge overnighter
Heading in from Putara Road end via Roaring Stag. It
could be a cold one…BYO firewood!
Leader: Conrad. Ph. 027 338 5008
Grade: Fit. Car Pool $10
28th JulyCannon Point walkway
Zig zag through the hills north of upper Hutt to the
historic Birchville Dam.
Leader: Margaret. Ph. 021 136 4323
Grade: Easy +.Car Pool cost $15
AUGUST
3rd/4th August
Cow Creek Overnighter
Going in via the Ruamahanga Gorge Track, coming
out via Blue range to Kiriwhakapapa.
Leader: Conrad. Ph. 027 338 5008
Grade: Average.Car Pool $8
7th Club Night
News, trips done, trips coming up
Movie night! Tararua S-K.
10 min talk: Sandra - choosing the right snack bar
11th AugustHerepai Hut
Starting from Putara Road End, head into the hut for
lunch, return the same way.
Leader Nigel. Ph: 027 356 6322
Grade: Easy + .Car pool cost $10
18th AugustHoneycomb Rock walkway
Head out to the coast for a walk to visit the unusual
Honey comb rock formation.
Leader Viv. Ph: 021 0857 9074
Grade: Easy .Car pool cost $10
24th/25th- Would anyone like to lead or suggest a tramp for this weekend?
SEPTEMBER
1st September
A Frame hut from West Tamaki Road (west of Dannevirke)
Head into the Ruahine Forest Park, to A Frame Hut with great
views both East and West (weather dependant due to stream
crossing).
Leader Sandra. Ph. 021 061 7054
Grade: Easy + .Carpool cost $15
4th September
Club Night
News, trips done, trips coming up
Judging of the MTC entries for the FMC
photo competition. Have you got a picture
to enter? Here are the 2024 categories →
10 min talk: Gail - what am I reading?
7th/8thJumbo Powell Circuit overnighter
Going in via Jumbo Hut, staying at Jumbo Hut
overnight.
(you’ll need to book a bed for Jumbo Hut).
Leader: Tony. Ph: 022 454 1107
Grade: Fit.Car pool cost $8
15th SeptemberMasterton Recreational Trails
Plenty of options available – details to be confirmed
Leader: Viv. Ph: 021 0857 9074
Grade: Easy22nd September
Hidden Lakes (TBC), Kopuaranga
Leader: Mike & Laura. Ph. 021 060 5375
Grade: Easy + .Car pool cost: $8
29th SeptemberSledge Track
Headover to the Manawatu to
explore the Sledge Track area.
Leader: Gail. Ph. 027 675 8257
Grade: Average.
Car pool cost $15Trip Reports
Read about some of the trips we've been on recently
6 de julho de 2024Read more...We had a lovely wee walk up the old tram track and over the hill at Kiriwhakapapa on Sunday 7 July. It was a frosty start, but a lovely walk. Denise, Shona and Peter, Josh, Nathan, Viv, Alina and Malin.14 de junho de 2024Read more...Sunrise Hut 15th - 16th June 2024 Katrina, David and Sandra left Masterton early on the Saturday morning, travelling to the North Block Road end. We stopped in Dannevirke for a hot coffee along the way, the traffic was pretty light since it was early. We used the recommended detour route to...More PostsClub 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
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 InfoAtiwhakatu 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 InfoMitre 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 InfoLibrary
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.
Masterton Tramping Club © 2020