Trips
Day Trips:
Day trips depart from and return to a convenient point on the side of town near to the destination. See maps. Non-members are asked to phone the trip leader in advance. If you doubt your suitability for a day-trip, or if the weather is turning bad, contact the trip leader beforehand. A phone inquiry does not oblige you to go on the trip.
Weekend Trips:
Weekend Trips may leave on a Friday night (usually for base camps) or Saturday morning. Please book with the trip leader by the closing date. Be certain you want to go on the trip when booking, as it is not fair on the leader to withdraw after the closing date (good excuses excepted). Numbers on some weekend trips are limited, so book promptly.
Bike Trips:
For up-to-date details of any biking trips highlighted below please contact Chris Leaver 03 322 6445, or newptc75@gmail.com.
To see planned trips further ahead, click here for the annual Trip List 2023-2024 (PDF)
Trip details
Note - clicking on the trip destinations shown in blue will show the location on a map.
Sunday 5 May 2024
Porters Pass--Rabbit Hill trip
Leader is Graeme Nicholas - 027 504 7726
Easy-moderate walk to 1200m Rabbit Hill in Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands Park.
Starting near Porters Pass.
Meet 8am Church Corner, 20 Yaldhurst Rd
4-5 May Sat-Sun ●●
Casey Saddle--Binser Saddle
Kerry Moore 359 5069
An easy-moderate walk from Andrews Shelter to the new Casey Hut. Exiting down the Poulter River, then a 550m climb over Binser Saddle. A straight-forward trip with no river crossings.
Book by Thur 2 May
11-12 May Sat-Sun ●●
Cass Saddle--Lagoon Saddle
Awaiting leader
A moderate circuit that includes a small section of the Te Araroa Track. Staying at the spacious Hamilton Hut.
Book by 5 May
12 May Sun ●
Stony Bay Peak--Mt Brasenose
Merv Meredith 322 7239
Moderate walk behind Akaroa, crossing the Misty Peaks Reserve between Stony Bay Peak and Mt Brasenose.
Meet 8am opposite Princess Margaret Hospital on Cashmere Rd, near Fairview St
16-20 May Thur-Mon ●●●●●
Kepler Track
Raymond Ford fordrm@snap.net.nz or 022 318 0872
A moderate-hard tramp at this time of year, the Kepler Track circuit traverses the ridgelines of the Kepler Mountains from Te Anau.
Book by 28 Apr. Dates may change due to weather. Flexibility required
18-19 May Sat-Sun ●●
Hurunui Hot Springs
Awaiting leader
A trip to Hurunui hot springs involves a bit of walking there and back along a vehicle track and grassland, however it's a comfortable stay in Hurunui Hut that has a wood stove.
Book by 12 May
18 May Saturday ●
Mt Oxford
Geoff Spearpoint 329 0008, 027 318 4727
A moderate climb to Mt Oxford with great views all around.
Meet 8am Placemakers, 319 Cranford St
26 May Sun ●
Tommys Cabin--Mt Lance
Kerry Moore 359 5069
We drive to the cabin then have an easy-moderate walk to this 778m hill inland from Hawarden.
Meet 8am Placemakers, 319 Cranford St
2 Jun Sun ●
Rakaia Gorge Walkway
Graeme Nicholas 027 504 7726
An easy walk with beautiful views of the Rakaia River and the Hutt Range.
Meet 8am Church Corner, 20 Yaldhurst Rd
7-9 Jun Fri-Sun ●●●
Kaikoura Base
Glenda & Merv Meredith 322 7240 glendamervm@orcon.net.nz
Kaikoura accommodation on Kings Birthday weekend would be hard to come by so we’ve made our own three-day weekend for an early winter stay with easy day trips. The plan is to drive up Friday and return after lunch on Sunday. One of the evenings will be the usual sociable potluck dinner and for the other, a dinner out. Trips can include the peninsula circuit, a wander up the Hapuku, a walk up the Mt Fyffe road to the hut and back for great views, the little walk through the Hinau Reserve or just a wander in town. Accommodation and cost is very dependent on numbers, so it could be a self-contained unit at a holiday park or a holiday house in town.
Book by Fri 17 May. A $40 deposit will be required to secure our accommodation
8-9 Jun Sat-Sun ●●
Pinchgut Hut
Awaiting leader
An easy-moderate trip up the Okuku River through kanuka and beech forest to a comfortable hut
Book by 2 June
8-13 June Sat-Thurs ●●●●●●
Heaphy Track
Kerry Moore 359 5069
A great walk, out of season. Travel through expansive tussock downs, lush forests with nīkau palms to the roaring seas of north Westland. Stay at Perry Saddle, Saxon, James Mackay and Heaphy Huts.
Book by 26 May
9 Jun Sun ●
Mt Aitken--Mt O'Malley
Laurayne Robb 021 619 718
This trip, traversing the range between two of the peaks in Arthur's Pass, makes an excellent moderate round-trip. Take ice axe and crampons.
Meet 7am Church Corner, 20 Yaldhurst Rd
15 Jun Saturday ●
Dumblane--Mt Charon
Awaiting leader
A moderate trip to the summit of 1540m Mt Charon from Jacks Pass. On the way we take in 1303m Dumblane.
Meet 8am Placemakers, 319 Cranford St
16 Jun Sun ●
Packhorse Hut from Kaituna Valley
Wendy Wallace 027 841 2051
An easy-moderate walk from Kaituna Valley to Packhorse Hut.
Meet 8:30am at Halswell Library Carpark, near the Old Vicarage.
15-16 Jun Sat-Sun ●●
Edwards Hut--Williams Saddle
Awaiting leader
A moderate round-trip, to Edwards Hut then over 1327m Williams Saddle and returning by the Mingha River. The Edwards River is a good spot to see blue ducks.
Book by 9 June
22 Jun Saturday ●
Red Hill from Porters Road
Graeme Nicholas 027 504 7726
Moderate trip to this 1641m peak between Lake Lyndon Road and Porter Heights. Probable snow on top so an ice axe may be needed.
Meet 8am Church Corner, 20 Yaldhurst Rd
28-30 Jun Fri-Sun ●●●
Moana or Kumara Base
Chris Leaver 021 143 8537
To be advised by leader.
Book by 16 June
7 July Sun ●
Mt White
Awaiting leader
We drive in from Mt White bridge to Mt White Station for a moderate climb up open spurs to this 1741m peak. Take ice axe and crampons.
Meet 7am Church Corner, 20 Yaldhurst Rd
6-7 July Sat-Sun ●●
Tarn Hut
Awaiting leader
Easy-moderate tramp from Lees Valley to Tarn Hut located above the bushline on the Puketeraki Range.
Book by 30 June
14 July Sun ●
John Britten Reserve--Mt Pleasant
Awaiting leader
An easy walk from the start of JBR at Longridge Drive up to the Summit Road and along to Mt Pleasant. The 140 bus can get you up Mt Pleasant Road fairly close to Longridge Drive
Meet 9am