| Base map extracted from NZ TopoOnline June 2006. Crown Copyright Reserved. |
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The weather forecast during the days beforehand was for some atrocious wet and cold days so this trip
was nearly cancelled, more than once. However, it did seem that Saturday might be dry for most of the
day which would allow us to get the tents pitched before the rain set in, so we decided to go ahead.
We were camping in three of the club Trios tents and taking a fly sheet to use for shelter, so along
with other gear and food our loads were not going to be light! Saturday Eight of us met at Fullers Downtown Ferry Terminal on Quay Street where we departed at 9.15 am having distributed the shared items of equipment and food. On arrival at Rangitoto we took the coastal track to Islington Bay, about 6½ km - 2½ hours, having stopped for lunch at Yankee wharf. Crossing the causeway onto Motutapu we followed the Motutapu Farm Walkway to Home Bay, about 4½ km - 1¾ hours, a bit of a struggle climbing the 121m with heavy packs. We set up camp at Home Bay but did not use the fly sheet because the shelter on the end of the toilet block was adequate and we were the only group present. We had enjoyed a pleasant sunny day and the rain did not start until about 3.30 am Sunday morning. Sunday Soon after breakfast on Sunday the rain eased and although the morning remained overcast there was little further rain. We set off towards Sandy Bay via a fairly new bush walk up the hill to Northern Junction and explored the WWII gun emplacements and other historical features. Following a short diversion to Sandy Bay we took the Pohutukawa Track to the northern extremity of the island at Billy Goat Point. The weather was improving all the time and we were able to have our lunch sitting in the sun at Billy Goat Point. Returning via the Wetland Track to Northern Junction we were soon back at Home Bay for a welcome cuppa and a relaxed afternoon before preparing our evening meal. Some explored the Reid Graves, others explored around Home Bay and the wharf at the Northern end. Rain came again during Sunday night but we awoke to a glorious Monday morning. Monday On Monday we tramped the 3½ km - 1¼ hours back to Islington Bay via the 4wd Farm Road and took the Islington Bay Road and Summit Road and boardwalk to Rangitoto Summit (259m), which was approximately a further 5 km - 1¾ hours. It was a perfect winter’s day with crisp clear blue skies and views all around. The wind was perfectly still on the summit where we enjoyed a very leisurely lunch. On the way down to catch the ferry, about 2 km - 1 hour, we took the side trip to visit the lava caves. Ferry departure is usually 3.30pm but on public holidays it runs at 4.00pm so we had plenty of time for our exploring. COSTS: ferry travel $18.40 ($16.40 for seniors) return; Camp site $10; Food $14; Equip Levy $3; Sundries $2 Fuel used was no more than 1½ litres for the two MSR stoves. Downtown carpark cost $24 for the three days, a special holiday rate. |