• Welcome to the Masterton Tramping Club website, we are a small, friendly and active club. We offer a wide variety of adventures throughout the year. These trips vary from easy, one day walks, to multi day camping trips in the south island.

    Masterton Tramping Club

  • We meet on the first Wednesday of each month (except January) at the Masterton Community Centre, 41 Perry Street. Meetings start at 7.30pm, and at most meetings we have a guest speaker or some form of training. Visitors and prospective members are encouraged to come along to meetings and join a trip.

     

    Some examples of past trips include:

    • Family day trip to Kapiti Island
    • Camping at top of Cone, Tararuas
    • Easy overnighter to Tutuwai Hut
    • Week long adventure past Dragon’s Teeth in Kahurangi National Park
    • Off-track adventure, Kiriwhakapapa area, Tararuas

     

    We organise a trip most weekends, either a local trip usually on a Sunday, or a longer overnight trip which may go beyond the immediate area of the Tararuas.

     

    Trip categories are:

    • Easy: 4-6 hours, possibly hills with plenty of rest stops. Suitable for beginners.
    • Easy+: 4-6 hours, probably some short hills.
    • Average: 5-8 hours, some hills, fewer rest stops. Suitable for people with reasonable fitness and some experience.
    • Fit: 6+ hours per day, lots of hills, may go off-track, stops for lunch and ‘smoko’. Suitable for experienced trampers with good fitness.

     

    We suggest the new members start with an Easy trip to assess their fitness.
    The Club has some equipment available for members to borrow.

     

    Link to Club's Constitution

    Welcome

  • Upcoming Trips

    f you're interested in joining us on any of our trips, please come along to our Club night and make contact with the trip leader.

    We usually offer a trip each weekend, either a day trip on a Sunday, or an overnight tramp. Day trips are a great way to gain fitness without having to carry a heavy pack. Each trip has an indicated grading, and approximate transport cost. All potential members are urged to start with an easy trip so as to judge their fitness, confidence and ability. If in doubt check with the trip leader.

     

    Trip Gradings

    Easy - 3 - 6 hours, little climbing. Suitable for beginners

    Easy + - 3 - 6 hours, probably some short hills

    Average - 5 - 8 hours, some experience required almost certainly some hill work

    Fit - 6+ hours, good fitness required, may go off track

     

     

     

    OCTOBER

     

    2 October 

    Club night

    News, trips done, trips coming up
    Speaker: Adam Philps – Foot care for trampers
    10 min talk: Gail - how to be Trip Leader

     


    6 October
    Linton Military camp to Palmy North
    He Ara Kotahi is PN’s newest riverside pathway, it provides views of the river and city,
    before leading you through farmland, native bush and pa sites.
    Leader: Christine, Ph. 06 377 3756
    Grade: Easy.

    Car pool cost: $15

     


    9 October
    Pukaha / Braddicks Track - Invitation from Kaumatua Tramping Club to join them
    Option 1 - undertaking the Loop trip and participating in the Kiwi talk (12pm), Eels talk and feeding (1.30pm), Kaka talk and feeding (3pm).

    Contact Cristina to register, Ph. 04 383 6035
    Option 2 - Braddick's Track - to Pukaha/Mt Bruce summit and beyond, and then returning back to the cars.

    Contact Geoff, Ph. 022 1289 539 to register

     

    12- 13 October
    Opouawe River trapping
    Walk the Opouawe River at White Rock station checking the
    traps along the route. Possibly an overnighter - TBC
    Liaison person: Gail, Ph. 027 675 8257
    Grade: Easy.

    Car pool cost $15

     


    20 October

    Pinnacle high point
    Starting from Holdsworth carpark, head up to Pinnacle high point 877m and return.
    Leader: Sandra. Ph. 021 061 7054
    Grade: Easy +.

    Car pool cost $8

     


    26 or 27 or 28 October
    26 or 27 or 28 Sledge Track (day to be confirmed)
    Headover to the Manawatu on a daytrip to
    explore the Sledge Track area.
    Leader: Gail, Ph. 027 675 8257
    Grade: Average.

    Car pool cost $15

     

    NOVEMBER

     

    3 November

    Upper Hutt Walks
    Plenty of options available – details to be confirmed
    Leader: Christine. Ph. 06 377 3756
    Grade: Easy.

    Car pool cost $10

     

     
    6 November
    Club Night
    News, trips done, trips coming up
    Barry’s Billy Boiling challenge - how quickly can you make a cuppa?


    10 November
    Starting from Holdsworth carpark, head out along the
    Te Whakatūrākau Stream track, up Murray’s track,
    return via Gentle Annie track.
    Leader Nathan, Ph. 027 816 1785
    Grade: Easy +.

    Car pool cost $8

     


    17 November
    Manawatu Gorge Track
    Covered in ancient bush and home to a variety of wildlife, Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge is steeped in legend and has many stories to tell.
    Leader: Margaret, Ph. 0211 364 323
    Grade: Easy +.

    Car pool cost $15

     


    24 November

    Mt Reeves - Cone bush bash
    Climb Mt Reeves passing the Geographical Centre of NZ. Then
    bush bash the ridge to Cone track and return to the carpark

    Leader: Gail, Ph. 027 675 8257

    Grade: Fit. Car pool cost $8

     


    30 November or 1 December  

    Pukaha to Mauriceville via Bruce Hill
    In conjunction with SWTC on the best weather day of the weekend.
    Leader: Nigel, Ph. 027 3566 322
    Grade: Easy +

    Car pool cost $8

     

    DECEMBER

     

    4 December

    Club night

    A Christmas Special
    News, trips done, trips coming up
    10 min talk: Gail -are you sun smart?

     


    8 December 
    Mountain House Shelter
    Take a walk up the Gentle Annie track to the shelter for lunch
    and return
    Leader: Denise, Ph. 021 116 1424
    Grade: Easy +.

    Car pool cost: $8

     


    14 - 15 December

    Stanfield hut overnighter, Ruahine Forest Park
    Walk to Stanfield hut for lunch, then an afternoon walk to
    cattle creek hut, return to Stanfield for the night. Only 8
    bunks so byo tent / hammock/ fly.
    Sunday return option via A frame hut. River level dependant.
    Leader: Sandra, Ph. 021 061 7054
    Grade: Easy +. Car pool cost $15

     


    22 December

    Cattle Ridge Track, Remutaka Forest park
    Starting at the Catchpool Valley campground. This track gives outstanding views of the Remutaka Range and Ōrongorongo Valley.
    Leader: John Rhodes, Ph. 06 304 9095 or rhodesja@xtra.co.nz

    Grade: Easy +. Car pool cost $15

     


    29 December

    Blue Range Hut
    Stretch the legs and work off the Christmas excess.
    Bring your leftovers for a shared potluck lunch
    Leader: Conrad, Ph. 027 338 5008
    Grade: Easy +.

    Car pool cost $8

     

     

  • Trip Reports

    Read about some of the trips we've been on recently

    Kiriwhakapapa Walk
    July 6, 2024
    We had a lovely wee walk up the old tram track and over the hill at Kiriwhakapapa on Sunday 7 July. It was a frosty start, but a lovely walk. Denise, Shona and Peter, Josh, Nathan, Viv, Alina and Malin.  
    Read more...
    Mt Finis
    June 30, 2024
     
    Read more...
    Sunrise Hut
    June 14, 2024
    Sunrise Hut 15th - 16th June 2024 Katrina, David and Sandra left Masterton early on the Saturday morning, travelling to the North Block Road end. We stopped in Dannevirke for a hot coffee along the way, the traffic was pretty light since it was early. We used the recommended detour route to...
    Read more...
    More Posts

  • Club History

    The Club was formed in 1957 with the amalgamation of the YMCA Tramping Club and the Masterton Outdoor and Social Club.
    At that time members were also participating in the construction of what was to be called Blue Range Hut, a joint exercise with the NZ Forest Service.
    The Club also inherited a hut at Mitre Flats, the second hut at that location.
    The Hut on the Atiwhakatu River was built during 1968.
    Today the Club still maintains Blue Range Hut, it being a non core hut, for DoC and the community. The Tararua Aorangi Rimutaka Huts committee helps with funding for this work.
    The third hut at Mitre Flats, and the second Atiwhakatu Hut are both core DoC Huts, although Club members still help with minor repairs and maintenance.

     

     

     

     

  • Huts

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    Blue Range Hut

    Grid Reference: E1812491, N5481135 (NZTM2000)

    Bunks: 4 Single
    Cost: 1 Standard Hut Ticket
    The Hut was built during 1957 and 1958 by members of the newly formed Masterton Tramping Club, and staff from the NZ Forest Service. The Club organised a trip at fortnightly intervals for 18 months to carry the materials up, with regular races to see how many return trips could be made in one day, it is nearly a 700 metre climb.
    The Hut was opened by Mr. D.Blythe (NZFS) and Ted Esler, an early member of the Club, on Sunday 9th November 1958.
    More Info

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    Atiwhakatu Hut

    Grid Reference: E1806817, N5472972 (NZTM2000)

    Bunks: 26 bunks in three separate rooms
    Cost: 1 Standard Hut Ticket
    The first hut was built in 1968 as a joint venture between the Club and NZFS, and slept 8-10.
    When the hut was opened it was a three hour walk along the Atiwhakatu track, which had many climbs and descents, no wonder that the river was a popular option.
    Today, with the new(ish) track it is an easy 90 minute walk, and about 30 minutes for a fit mountain runner.
    The new hut, built by DoC, was opened in June 2009. It is a much larger 12 bunker of the latest design.
    Due to unprecedented demand DoC once again extended it, to its new 26 sleeping design in 2013. The club no longer maintains this hut.
    More Info

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    Mitre Flats 3

    Grid Reference: E1808985, N5477084 (NZTM2000)

    Bunks: Two platform Bunks, sleeps 14
    Cost: 1 Serviced Hut Ticket
    After many years of consultation and fund-raising Mitre Flats 3 was constructed in 1988 by the Department of Conservation at a total cost of $29,000. With $4,000 being donated by Masterton Tramping Club, (including $400 from Masterton Licensing Trust, $275 from South Wairarapa Tramping Club and $25 from Kaumatua Tramping Club).
    The first hut was built in 1935 and the second hut was built in 1953
    More Info

  • Library

    Masterton Tramping Club has some books that we are happy to lend out. If interested please enquire by contacting us.

    Books available to lend

    Wairarapa. An Historical Excursion Bagnall, A.G. (1976)

    North Island, Weekend Tramps Barnett, S (2002)

    Plant Icons of New Zealand Church G. and Greenfield P. (2005)

    New Zealand Endangered Species. Birds, Bats, Reptiles, Freshwater Fishes, Snails and Insects. Cusa, N.W., Lockley M. (1980)

    Where to Find Birds of the Wairarapa Dennison T, Scadden, Watt B

    Some Better Known NZ Wild Flowers and Birds Department of Tourism and Publicity

    The Natural World of New Zealand. An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of NZ's Natural Heritage Hutching G (1998)

    The Reed Handbook of Common New Zealand Birds Kinsky F.C., Robertson C.J.R. and Marshall J (1987)

    New Zealand Islands McGeorge P and McGeorge R (2004)

    New Zealand; Land of Birds Moon G. (2001)

    Spot X, Tramping New Zealand. Over 400 Tracks Moore, C. (2007)

    Wairarapa, A Place Apart. Nikolaison P. and Wall M. (2006)

    Ruahine Forest Park. A guide to Family Walks, Tramping Tracks and Routes Ombler, K (1993)

    202 Great Walks. The Best Day Walks in NZ Pickering M. (2003)

    The Four Corners of New Zealand Reed A.H. (1954)

    Wairarapa Walks Rhodes, J. and Cederman, A. (1989)

    Tararua Footprints. A Tramper's Guide to the Tararua Ranges Rodgers, M (1996)

    New Zealand Bird Portraits Soper M.F. (1963)

    New Zealand, Portrait of a Nation Stewart, G. (1985)

    From Mountains to Sea. The Story of Westland National Park Te Papa Atawhai, Department of Conservation (1990)

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  • Get in contact

    Use the form to enquire about going tramping, joining the club or just to seek general information about tramping in the local ranges.

    41 Perry St, Masterton
    mastertontc@gmail.com
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