Matariki Weekend – Northern Pureora Highlights - Easy

Thursday 13 July 2023

There is the option for additional people to join the Medium and Medium Easy parties, potentially using private cars given that the bus is now full. If you are interetsed and not on the list yet, contact the leaders of those parties and get your name on the Waiting List - we will finalise the arrangements by July 7th

The Matariki public holiday this year is on Friday 14th July, so we will be spending a few days based at the Pureora Lodge just off SH30, east of Te Kuiti. It is on the edge of the Waipapa kokako breeding area, so close to the Lodge there may be the chance to see or hear these elusive birds.

The Friday/Saturday activities could be preceded by the Sunday activities if the leaders determine the weather may be more suitable.

Easy

Friday From Link Road walk up and down the Pureora Summit (great views) via the Mt Pureora Track. If conditions are suitable, take time to explore the summit area. Or take in a loop first SE down the other side, picking up the Timber Trail and the Toi Toi Track back to the summit. Return to Pureora Lodge. 5-6 hours.

Saturday Start the same as the Medium Easy party, returning to the bus. Pick up the other parties on the way back to Pureora Lodge. 5-6 hours.

Sunday From the Lodge head east along the Waipapa Loop Track and some part of the Waipapa South Tracks then return, taking time out to quietly listen out for interesting birdlife. 5-6 hours.

Leader: John Parsons Ph 020 411 51414

Matariki

While this weekend may not provide the best viewpoints for Matariki, that does not prevent us having a great Matariki shared feast on whichever night all groups will be at Pureora Lodge – either Matariki itself on the Friday, or failing that, on Saturday. Last year on Motutapu we showed how well this can be done, so here’s this year’s chance. Bring food to share with the group.

Accommodation: We will be staying at the spacious Pureora Lions Lodge https://www.pureoraforestlodge.org.nz/index.html It features a well stocked kitchen, laundry and drying room, 5 dormitory rooms, and showers. If the weather forecast looks to be “variable”, consider bringing indoor activities as well.

Note that after we clean up and leave on Sunday, unless otherwise advised, we will not return to use the Lodge facilities.

Transport: Club bus
Driver: Keith Ayton and Simon Rainger
Transport Cost: $79 members, $99 non-members
Accommodation Cost: $20 per person per night – so $40 for the Medium Fit Party and $60 for everyone else. Note that if we get unexpectedly low numbers, there may be an additional accommodation charge to ensure we can fund the minimum nightly fee of $300

Add your hut fees to the Transport Cost when booking.
Total Cost:  Medium Fit party: Members $119, Non-members $139. Other parties: Members $139, Non-members $159
Destination: Pureora Forest Lodge
Departure: Thursday 7.00 pm, Club garage, 31 Sandringham Road, Kingsland 
NO DINNER BREAK EN ROUTE

Departure time each day Friday, Saturday 7.30-8.00 am TBA. Sunday target walk start time after Lodge clean-up is 9.00am.

Note: We will be accepting more bookings than the maximum number able to travel in sleeper mode on the bus. Once the bus is full, we will ask some people to carpool

Bookings: Contact the leader for approval and the trip code, then complete the form below.