2025

​​​​​​​April - Saturday 12th to Sunday 13th - Earnslaw Burn Track, Glenorchy (F/O) 

​​​​​​​Courtney, Annamarie, Jessica, Alice & Oliver

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April - Saturday 3rd-Tuesday 15th March - Biking Nelson

Trip up - Paula

Day 1 - Bike Tahuna-Mapua and return - Ann I

Day 2 - Pic Museum - Car Museum - Ron & Martha

Day 3 - Bike Coppermine - Anne T

Day 4 - Bike Tapawera-Nelson - Hilary

Day 5 - Bike Tapawera-Kaiteriteri - Ramona

Day 6 - Boat Excursion - Adrian

Day 7 - Bike Kaiteriteri-Mapua-Kaiteriteri - Blair

Trip Home - Gillian

Ann F, Blair, Ann I, Adrian, Anne T, Donald, Martha, Ron, Sandra, Paula, Anne M, Gillian, Dene, Sally, Ramona, Ken, Jimmy, Hilary, Graeme, Jan, Rabbit, Aaron

March - Sunday 30th - Castledowns 

The new bridge is now launched!! Despite the rain we left town with Anne, Nat, Judy, Terri, Eamon, Adrian, Ann aboard and were joined by Allan, Keiren and Sandra. The weather did not cooperate as it usually does to clear up so most of the work was in the light rain.  The main focus of the day was the launching of the new aluminium bridge and we celebrated with a tamarillo wine to mark the occasion. We had a great catch with the work done by Anne (1 Mouse, 4 Rats, 2 Hedgehogs, 4 Possums and 1 Ferret were dispatched) and planted 86 trees made possible by Nate clearing more areas.  We saw more deer prints but no evidence of recent pig activity. Last tally of pig deaths is 27 and one deer so thanks go to our shooter and his trusty dogs.

March - Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd - Homer Hut Trapping Trip 

A team of six females arrived at Homer on Friday evening, a cup of coffee, safety briefing and checked a few traps in the evening before retiring to a very full hut.  Saturday we were up reasonably early and divided into three teams of two - two went up Homer, two checked Gertrude Valley and two went up past the waterfall.  Not a lot in the way of catches but it was very exciting to hear a few rock wren and at the very last trap up the Gertrude a couple of rock wren entertained up by bobbing up and down and flitting round the rocks for 10 minutes or so.  Because we were so efficient, we had a quick lunch and divided into two teams - one on the possum line and one on Crosscut and all traps were checked a rebated by late afternoon.  Ron had arrived up late on Friday evening, with new spouting for the hut and a large trailer load of wood (as well as the back of the ute being loaded) therefore the easiest way to unload was to encouraged some of the other hut dwellers to form a line and we made short work of unloading and stacking the wood in the two sheds, before the rain arrived.  One again the hut was full and five tents were pitched outside.  Sunday morning was wet, so we packed up and drove round Gunns Camp, and Cascade Camping area on our way to Te Anau for lunch and home.  Thanks very much to a great bunch of very helpful ladies.  Ann I, Terri, Jessica, Courtney, Annabel and Anne.  Ron (also STORC & NZAC), Kerry and Ian from NZAC were replacing the spouting on the back of the hut a brand new spouting on the front.  It will be great not to get rain drops down your neck when you duck out to the little green houses.

March - Saturday 15th - Vet South Gorge Adventure Race 

Barbara & Anne entered a team (with a couple others) on a beautiful sunny day in Otapiri Gorge.  Got our competitors pack, entered the starting yards and off we went with a heap of others.  There were some hills, some trees and creek crossings.  This was a rogaine type event where you had a map and the option of getting points for various spots on the map and also from some fun events, smurfs has us lined up to bounce a ball on a net and get it into a fadge, all team members had to balance on a ballance board and throw a ball into a ute deck and not to mention all members of the team had to complete a downhill slippery slide.  A lot of fun!!!  not so sure about our score though!.  Barbara and Anne, with Shelley and Ridley.

​​​​​​​February - Tuesday 25th - Pourakino Track Clearing   

Overcast, damp on and off morning which had basically all disappeared before our 0900 start at the Ermedale end of the track.  However, one  very industrious member set out early and suffered a brief but heavy passing downpour!  At 17 degrees it was very mild in the bush and all of us were chuffed at the good condition of the track.  Two chainsaws, two machetes and a gentle follow up of a snipping with secateurs, seemed to be the order of the day.  We realigned the track around the river edge where it had eroded somewhat, and there had been a rope for safety for some time.  The rope was removed,  track makers still to be erected.  A big step was cut out of a fallen log to make for easier passage.  There was debate over cutting it to ground level, but in the end the step remained.  Makes for variation in ones stride in the bush!  A short lunch break at this fallen tree then a quick hike out.  Enroute we admired a tiny tiny white flower about knee height.  Looking up we discovered that they were actually on a broken branch that had fallen, and the flower was really a tree orchid.  Some also noticed a purple "magic mushroom".  Nice weather helped have the task completed in just over 3 hours.  Graeme, Anne, George, John, and Sally

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​February - Sunday 23rd - Castledowns 

Four Club members and 4 others spent the day planting, weeding and checking traps.  50 new plants went into the ground.  Some new signage marking the tracks was installed.  5 possums, 1 Hedgehog, 1 Rat and 2 Mice were removed. Ann, Adrian, Heather and Anne  

​​​​​​​February - Saturday 15th - Adventure Southland Kayak Course

A small group of eager students with varying ages and experience met at Adventure Southland to pick up some expert tips on kayak safety and ability on our rivers.  Luke gave invaluable insights on essential gear, what to do if there is a mishap, how to utilise currents and eddies of the river to conserve energy and basically how not to die.  After stunning conditions kayaking the Oreti river from Branxholme to Wallacetown, we left the river very wet, and feeling far more confident on our waterways and ready to get out amongst it.  We couldn't have asked for a more effective, helpful, patient and knowledgeable tutor, and are looking forward to joining more of their classes down the track.  Courtney, Sandra, Jude, and Annamarie

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February - Saturday 1st - Makarewa Falls 

Two of us trekked along the Makarewa Falls track for about an hour on Friday evening, set up tents and camped for the night.  It was beautiful weather, calm and warm, and in the middle of the night the stars were awe-inspiring.  So peaceful and quiet!!  In the morning we walked into the Staircase Falls which only took just over an hour or so then returned, packed up and drove home. The track was quite boggy in places, despite the hot summer we've had, and some of the track was hard to negotiate with markers lost and tree-fall, but it was a lovely walk and well worth it all. Staying overnight previously made for a much earlier start and finish. Would make an enjoyable club trip with a few more people. Neroli and Barbara.

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Sunday 26th February - Castledowns

7 club members turned up to assist with trapping, weeding, spraying, track clearing and planting a few more native plants.  The growth of grass and weeds in the wetland has been phenonimal over the past few weeks.  Damage by pigs, which haven't been seen on the tracks before, has been amazing.  The weather treated us kindly and didn't rain until afternoon tea time.  Ann, Adrian, Heather, Ian, Sandra, Neroli and Anne

Sunday 5th - Sunday 12th January  - Biking A2O

4th Load bikes - BJ scratched his cap for many hours adapting the bike rack to fit the forever changing shapes and sizes of bikes ready for the pre-load. 13 bikes loaded, tied down and locked, and rearing to go !!!

5th Travel to Ruataniwha - Sunday was an early morning start for the van pick-ups with all looking fresh and fit, and for some on A2O trip 3, while others were full of anticipation!!  Anne, BJ and Dene shared the driving to sunny Omarama where we met up for lunch with the other three vehicles. Around 2.00 all 19 of us zoomed into Ruataniwha to settle into our wee huts for the next three nights. (last in has the awesome privileged of the Top Bunk ! ) Denise

6th Bike Tekapo-Ruataniwha - Woke to a nice morning in Lake Ruataniwha Camping Ground.  After breakfast we travelled to Lake Tekapo and unloaded the bikes near the Good Shepard Church.  After leaving Tekapo we travelled along the side of the canals.  Lots of people fishing.  A bit of a smell going passd the salmon farm.  The track continued on the road down to Lake Pukaki and on a track around the bottom of the lake.  Nice views of Mt Cook.  The track then crossed the main road and into a pine forest and out on to a paddock behind the airfield.  After crossing the road again we got to Twizel.  54km.  Dinner was enjoyed by all at a Thai restaurant.  Paula

7th Bike Ruataniwha-Ohau - Only 40 km to cycle today from our base at Lake Ruataniwha to Lake Ohau
Lodge. Another blue bird day for cycling, no wind, sunny, mostly flattish track and beautiful scenery. We cycled along Ohau Canal towards Lake Ohau which was easy riding on tar sealed road past people fishing and I was lucky enough to see a young boy land a rainbow trout.  It was a pleasant ride around Lake Ohau a on narrow gravel track which we were sharing with TA walkers heading the opposite direction, so we had to be vigilant. We all made good time and had an early afternoon tea at Lake Ohau Lodge.  We left our bikes there and took the van back to our camp, we had a tour around the new homes at Ohau which had been rebuild since the big fires there in October 2020, on the way back. Some of us had a very refreshing swim in Lake  Ruataniwha when we got back to our base. The day was concluded with a lovely meal at the Top Hut Bar and Grill in Twizel. Many thanks to all the people who drove the van and their own vehicles to get us to our starting points and return trips back to our accommodation. Neroli

8th Bike Ohau-Omarama - The drizzle turned to rain overnight. Unfortunately, the sound of the rain on the roof didn’t drown out the recurrent smoke alarm.  We set off from Ohau Lodge in a south east wind with light drizzle following the Tarnbrae Track.  Once Dene rebooted his battery, he moved up the ranks from last, to tail end Charlie of the E-crew.  We had a long ride to the high point, followed by a very quick descent to the historic Quailburn Woolshed.  We rode a 4WD drive track then sealed road, stopping at the well stocked Quail Burn self-service shop. Our ride finished at Boots and Jandals in Omarama where we left the bikes.  We overnighted at Duntroon and ate out at the local pub. Anne T 

9th Bike Omarama-Otematata - 45ks. As we were greeted with cool easterly conditions at the start, which slowly built up during our ride, my cunning plan was to try and draft behind some of the ebikers for shelter. This worked very well until reaching the first lot of hills and separation occured and where an attached bungy cord would have been ideal, however, due a miscalulation or over confidence, (Yes! I can see some readers nodding their heads), I hadn't thought that far ahead duh!.  A stunning technical trail that required your full attention because of the steep drop offs, beautiful vistas, numerous climbs, and technical in parts. I particularly enjoyed the descent through the pines to the Dam.  Dave

10 January Otatamata -Duntroon.  Left Otatamata along the road as not a lot of early morning traffic around. Climbed up to the Benmore Dam,  easy with a bit of power while the manual bikers except for one, got a lift to the top by transport with a head start.  Great views of Benmore dam and in the distance Otatamata. Followed the lake shore ride to Aviemore Dam and across the other side passing Waitaki Dam to Kurow, some stopping for a bite and drink and then a good look around the exceptional Kurow Museum next door. Easy riding following the gravel track through gorse enclosed track and then down the valley past a winery.  BJ was sceptical of us all making it to Duntroon so he shadowed us on the road with the trailer.  He happened to be parked at the Takiroa Māori rock art site when the Minister of Tourism called in.  Us bikers just carried on through the Duntroon wetlands and soon after to Duntroon itself where we left our bikes chained to the trailer for the night.  Jenne

11th Bike Duntroon-Oamaru - 54 kms.  We arrived at start point at Duntroon where the bikes were parked about 8am.  To our dismay 2 of the bikes had punctures, not sure wether this was sabotage or not, but anyway they were repaired in due course.  I (Dene) had to change tube at the top of major hill, of course it was pouring down and very cold, but got there with help. Thank you guys.  It was a good trip with quite a few hills, made a wee bit harder by the inclement weather.  The focal points were Elephant Rocks, railway tunnel and the Enfield pub where most of us stopped for refreshments.  There was a great effort from John and Dave transport wise. Very much appreciated thank you.  We all arrived in Oamaru in good spirits.  On the way to dinner at the Oamaru Club we had a group photo at the finish point.  Great final day to end a wonderful trip. Dene 

12th Home time - Once again everyone was well organized, and we were packed up and ready to be back on the road home at early hours of the morning.  Good byes were given for all traveling to Central Otago, Dunedin and those in the other car. It has been a great group of people to travel, cycle and hang out with.   Those of us in the van stopped at the Dunedin museum for morning tea and then Gore for lunch. The efficient, early morning start had enabled us to cruise home with time one our hands to stop and enjoy a few more coffee’s. Once back in Invercargill some were dropped at their drop off points to see their families once again while the rest of us unloaded the frames from the trailer and said our good byes…. For now. 

Time now to planning our next cycling trip and looking for someone to put up their hand to plan it 😊 Richelle

BJ, Robyn, Anne T, Donald, Anne Mc, Denise, Sandra, Dene, Paula, John, Jenne, David, Neroli, Pip, Ian, Heather, Blair, and Ann (non biker) and fabulous organiser Richelle

Wednesday 1st January 2025 - Sandy Point Walk and BBQ

After meeting at Grant Road five of us headed out to Daffodil Bay to meet up with the other walkers.  We strolled through the bush to Noki Kai beach and inspected the old pilings in the water, then on to Hatches Hill lookout and the next Lookout before return via a loop to the cars.  We then ventured to Coopers Creek for a wander around the houses which are all off grid, then to Whalers Bay before returning to Otatara for a relaxing afternoon followed by a BBQ.  Walkers were BJ, Robyn, Hilary, Sandra, Anne, Barbara, David, John & Jenne, then joined by Simon, Rabbit, Margaret, Geoff, and Anne T for the BBQ.  Thanks for hosting BJ & Robyn.