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17 trampers gathered at the Quay St ferry terminal for the grand day out to Motuihe. The trip out during
the Regatta Day was a bonus, with all the classic yachts & the tugboats out in force. Another bonus was
getting DOC's latest island map, showing their splendid new trail network.
We toured the small
headland, then set out along the north coast for Snapper Bay for lunch. Elevenses were held at the east
end of Ocean Beach. It took some effort to push on the extra 10 minutes to Snapper Bay (!) but was worth
it. Although dozens of boat-people were there before us, the bay was very pretty and had reserved for
us one unoccupied pohutukawa tree at the end of the beach, where-under we made our lunch camp.
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The day had been predicted to be cloudy and so-so, but turned instead into a real scorcher. Most
of our group elected to remain under the pohutukawa tree until the time came to return to the ferry.
We ate, read books, swam, talked & swam again. An intepid six, led by David & Marian Kilgour, departed
the shade of the tree early in order to take the inland return route, and so to see more of the island.
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Since we were last there the island has been much improved as a walking destination, by DOC's new
trail network, good information boards, and a new amenities block. The camping ground above the wharf
area has good potential for a possible overnight stay. The one drawback at present is the inconvenient
return times offered by 360 Discovery's ferry. 2.30 is too early to be going home, and 5.30 is too late.
But apart from this we had a grand day out, restful, picturesque, and very enjoyable.
COST: $24
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