• 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.

    NOVEMBER

    Weds 4th November
    7.30pm Club Night.

    News, trips done, trips coming up
    Speaker: Hill walking in Wales - Conrad
    10 min talk: Anyone able to present? – Contact Gail
    Prospective members welcome Community Centre, 41 Perry St, Masterton

    8th November
    Track Maintenance
    We’re giving the track from Kiriwhakapapa towards Blue Range
    Hut a spring clean and tidy! BYO tools
    Grade: Easy $8
    Leaders: David Little & Conrad McCaffrey 027 338 5008

    14th/15th Anyone able to lead a trip? – Contact Gail


    21st/22nd November
    Waiorongomai Hut overnight
    Starting from Western Lake road, tramp into this basic 4 bunk hut in the Remutaka Forest Park
    Grade: Easy
    Car Pool Cost: $15
    Leader: Nathan Ball 027 816 1785

    28th - 29th November
    Blue Range Northern Spurs overnight
    From Kiriwhakapapa, tramp up to Blue Range hut, then head down the spur past pt 927 & pt 915 to camp overnight at the river. Sunday return to Blue Range hut via pt 970 and back to Kiriwhakapapa
    Grade: Hard
    Car Pool Cost: $12
    Leader: Conrad McCaffrey 027 338 5008

    DECEMBER

    Weds 2nd December

    7.30pm Club Night. News, trips done, trips coming up
    Speaker: Bike Packing through Europe - Odell Sugrue
    10 min talk: Looking for a 10 min speaker – Contact Gail
    Prospective members welcome
    Community Centre, 41 Perry St, Masterton


    4th - 6th December
    Penn Creek Hut (3 day, 2 nights)
    Starting at Otaki forks, tramp to Kime hut before heading down to Penn Creek hut (possible side trip to the ladders for anyone keen). Sunday return to Otaki Forks
    Grade: Moderate
    Car Pool Cost: $40
    Leader: Tony Spittal 022 454 1107

    11th - 13th December
    Sunrise Hut overnight + Maropea Hut day trip, Ruahine FP
    Friday departure, staying Fri & Sat at Sunrise Hut, view the
    sunrise over the Hawkes Bay. Sat day trip to Maropea Hut
    You need to book a bunk at Sunrise Hut or bring a tent
    Grade: Easy

    Car Pool Cost: $45
    Leader: Sandra Burles 021 061 7054


    19th/20th December
    Best weather day
    Tararua Mistletoe hunt. Combined MTC & SWTC
    The hunt is on! Looking for mistletoe along the Gentle Annie
    creek and trap lines.
    Guaranteed mud & wet feet on a warm day.
    Grade: Easy
    Car Pool Costs: $8
    Leader: Nigel Boniface 027 356 6322


    27 th December
    Blue Range Hut
    Stretch the legs and work off the Christmas excess.
    Bring your leftovers for a shared potluck lunch
    Grade: Moderate
    Car Pool Costs: $8
    Anyone able to lead?

    January 2027 (no Club Night)

    1st- 4th January

    Anyone like to lead a trip? – Contact Gail


    9th/10th January
    Kaitoke Summit
    Starting from the Kaitoke side , take this 10km walk up to the summit for lunch
    Grade: Easy $14
    Leader: Josh Oakly 027 303 0002


    16th/17th January
    Ruapae Falls overnight
    Saturday – From Putara road end, walk along the track until the second bridge, then travel up the river to the flats. Set up camp.
    In the afternoon, head up to the falls. Return to camp for the
    evening. Tramp out following day.
    Grade: Moderate
    Car Pool Cost: $12
    Leader: Conrad Mccaffrey 027 338 5008


    23rd
    - 24
    th
    Wgtn anniv
    Sayers Hut overnight
    From the end of Mangatarere road it’s a 3-4 hour walk to this
    6-bunk tramping hut. Walk back the same way the following
    day
    Easy
    $8
    Josh Oakly
    027 303 0002
    30th/31st
    North Mangahao Biv via Punga Hut
    Starting from Scott’s road, tramp in through forestry track for
    part of the way then finish off with a bush bash to this basic 2
    bunk hut. Will need a tent or biv.
    Hard
    $27
    Sandra Burles
    021 061 7054


  • Trip Reports

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

    Fensham Reserve
    2026年8月23日
    Fensham Reserve 23 August 2026 After a very windy and wet night and morning, the weather fined up, blue sky arrived just in (perfect) timing for our walk at Fensham. The group met at the Belvedere road entrance to the reserve, and headed down the track to the fabulous new shelter - tucked...
    Read more...
    Powell Hut
    2026年8月8日
    Powell Hut - 8/8/26 Originally billed as trip to Powell with “hopefully a chance to see some snow”, the weather in the preceding week played its part, in that we had a good snow fall early in the week, with some beautiful clear days. Unfortunately, this ended and with the “shabby” forecast for...
    Read more...
    Mitre Flats Hut
    2026年8月1日
    August 1 - 2, 2026 overnight trip to Mitre Flats Hut Well the forecast was for minimal drizzle on the Saturday, so 10 brave MTC members headed to the Pines road end for the start of our overnighter. We hadn't even left the cars and allocated all the kindling, when it was slightly too much...
    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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