• 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 Clubs Constitution 2025

    Welcome

  • Upcoming Trips

    If 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

    UPDATED TRIP GRADINGS 2026

    WALK - Distance 2 - 5km, Height climb: 0 - 200m, Slower pace, Well formed walking tracks, Follow the signs.

    EASY - Distance 5 - 12km, Height climb: 0 - 500m, Steady Pace, Walking / tramping tracks, Marked tracks, 3 - 5 hours.

    MODERATE - Distance 8 - 16km, Climb: 200 - 1000m, Moderate pace, Tramping tracks, possible off-track, steep sections, mud, stream crossings/river travel, navigational skills required, 5 - 8 hours.

    HARD - Distance 12+ km, Climb: 500 - 1500m, Good pace, Tramping tracks, some off-track or route, steep, rough, bush bashing, river crossings / travel, Good navigational skills, 7 - 10 hours.

    ADVANCED - Distance: variable km, Climb: 1500+ metres, Variable speed fast on flatter sections, slower on challenging terrain, On and off track, alpine, river travel, Strong navigational skills, 10+ hours.

    NOTES:

    - Poor weather, terrain and river crossings can slow pace.

    - Pack weight matters - a bigger pack can slow pace.

    - Navigation difficulty can outweigh distance.

    - Trips may not meet all criteria of any given grade.

    - Trip participation is at the discretion of the trip leader

    - All potential members are urged to start with an easy trip to judge their fitness, confidence and ability.

    AUGUST

    16th August

    Kiriwhakapapa: Navigation Exercise & pot luck lunch
    Join Conrad & Gail at Kiriwhakapapa. In teams, you’ll be
    navigating your way to specific points. Then meeting
    back at the shelter for a shared lunch
    Grade: Easy
    Car Pool Cost: $8
    Leaders: Conrad +
    Gail Edwards
    027 675 8257

    23rd August

    Fensham Reserve
    Join Sandra for a walk around this 48 hectare reserve
    with remnant kahikatea swamp forest and wetlands.
    No dogs
    Grade: Easy
    Car Pool Costs $8
    Leader: Sandra Burles
    021 061 7054

    30th August

    Dobson Track circuit, including the Puffer saddle. A trip from Kaitoke to complete the circuit taking in Smith Creek shelter on the Tawharenīkau"

    Grade: Easy

    Car Pool Costs

    Leader: Tony Spittal.

    022 454 1107

    SEPTEMBER

    Weds 2nd September
    7.30pm
    Club Night.

    News, trips done, trips coming up
    Judging of MTC Entries for the FMC Photo comp - Sandra
    10 min talk: Walking the South Downs - Peter & Shona
    Prospective members welcome
    Community Centre, 41 Perry St, Masterton

    5th or 6th September
    Best weather day
    Dress Circle, Belmont Regional Park
    A combined MTC & SWTC trip, taking in Belmont Trig, Cannon
    Head and possibly Round Knob depending on route
    Grade: Easy

    Car Pool Costs: $TBA
    Leader: John Rhodes 06 304 9095

    13th September

    Manawatu Gorge
    Starting at the Woodville end, the track climbs steadily through
    native bush before levelling out above the gorge. Great
    Viewpoints along the way.
    Grade: Easy
    Car Pool Cost: $19
    Leader: Shona Brown 027 417 2222

    19th/20th September

    Kapakapanui Hut overnight
    Sat: a steady uphill climb to the hut. Sunday, tramp up to the trig and come down the other side visiting Thornhills Hut on the way. NB river crossings at the start & end of the trip
    Grade: Moderate
    Car Pool Costs: $24
    Leader: Tony Spittal 022 454 1107

    26th or 27th September

    Best weather day
    Makairo track & Waewaepa scenic reserve
    A combined MTC & SWTC trip to this little-known reserve east of Pahiatua
    Grade: Easy
    Car Pool Costs: $18
    Leader: John Rhodes 06 304 9095


  • Trip Reports

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

    Rangitumau
    July 12, 2026
    South Wairarapa Tramping Club trip. Rangitūmau, Sunday 12 July (With 3 MTC members and 1 WWF member researching for the Wairarapa Walking Festival). Report from John R. Dawn brought a day of crystalline clarity after a week of bitter cold and rain. A small convoy—with its origin in Akatarawa...
    Read more...
    Holdsworth Tracks
    July 12, 2026
    A group of five managed to make the most of improved weather on Sunday, to complete a trip around some of the lesser known tracks, and traplines, in the Holdsworth area. Nigel managed to take in both of the Rocky lookouts in the one trip, which provided some good views.
    Read more...
    Blue Range Hut
    July 1, 2026
    Wednesday Walkers 1st July 2026. Six of us walked up to Blue Range Hut in fine weather. One first timer on this track. There were 5 MTC members and 1 guest. (And some happy dogs !)
    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

    Section image

    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

    Section image

    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

    Section image

    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

    MTC Library list

    Tramping guide books

    North Island weekend tramps. Barnett S. (2002)

    North West Nelson tramping Guide Shaw,D. (1991)

    Off the beaten track – 20 multi day walks on NZ farm and backcountry tracks.

    Moore,C. (2009)

    Ruahine Forest Park. A guide to family walks. Ombler, K. (1993)

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

    Tararua Forest Park Route Guide Jennings J.N. NZFS (1981)

    The Forest and Bird Book of Nature Walks. Collingwood, D. Sale E.V. (1985)

    Tramping in New Zealand – 40 great New Zealand tramping trips. Barnett, S. (2008)

    Tramping in North Island Forest Parks Nichol, E Nichol, J. (1991)

    Tramping in the South Island Brabyn , S. (1995)

    Tramping in the Southern Alps Brabyn, S. Bryant, E. (1993)

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

    Wairarapa Moana Wetlands- Sea of Glistening Waters. GWRC

    Fauna and Flora Guides

    A guide to the identification of New Zealand common weeds in Colour. Upritchard,

    E.A.

    (1986)

    New Zealand coast and mountain plants. Dawson, J. Lucas, R. (1996)

    The Reed Handbook of Common New Zealand Birds Kinsky F.C. Robertson C.J.R.

    and Marshall J (1987)

    Wild Orchids of the Lower North Island. DOC (2007)

    Outdoor skills Guides

    MSC Abseiling handbook. Mountain Safety Council (2002)

    MSC Alpine skills. Wyatt, G. (2005)

    MSC Bushcraft outdoor skills for the NZ Bush. Mountain Safety Council (2006)

    MSC Outdoor First Aid. Mountain Safety Council (2004) 2x Copies

    MSC Outdoor safety risk management for outdoor leaders. Mountain Safety Council

    (1993)

    General Interest

    A Wild life – Photographs from the Backcountry of Aotearoa. Barnett, S. (2024)

    Bold beyond belief. Bill Denz New Zealand’s Mountain Warrior. Maxim, P. (2011)

    Leading the way. 100 years of the Tararua Tramping Club. Barnett, S. Maclean, C.

    (2019)

    New Zealand’s Islands. McGeorge, P. McGeorge, R. (2004)

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

    Old Boots and Packs. The First 50 years of the Palmerston North Tramping and

    Mountaineering Club. Strachan, D. (2015)

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

    Te Araroa- The New Zealand trail. Chapple, G. (2002)

    The Great Unknown -Mountain Journeys in the Southern Alps. Spearpoint, G. (

    2019)

    Tramping A New Zealand Story Barnett, S. Maclean C. ( 2014) Signed by Authors

    Tramping and Mountaineering 2018. WTMC (2019)

    The Natural World of New Zealand. An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of NZ's Natural

    Heritage Hutching, G. (1998)

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

    Wilderness walks. Moore,,C. (1996)

  • 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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