Whanganui Walking Group's Programme
(please note dates and events are subject to change, and also the prices shown below are subject to change depending on the fuel prices at the time.)
Sat 7th Mar - Potluck Shared Dinner & Final Twilight Walk of the Season - Round the Bridges (Easy ~ Local Walk)
MEETING LOCATION: Moutoa Quay, near the bearing sculpture
TIME: 6pm for the Dinner or 7pm if joining just for the walk
LEADER: TBC
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes
For the last twilight event of the 2025/26 season. We will have a Potluck Shared Dinner down by the river on Moutoa Quay, followed by a walk around the City & Dublin Street Bridges
Sat 14th Mar - Te Ahu a Turanga Shared Pathway (Moderate ~ Day Tramp)
MEETING LOCATION: Church on Ingestre Car Park
COST: $22 approx
LEADERS: Willem & Carl
DOGS ALLOWED: No
This is the first of 3 tramps we are having that are based on, or start from, the Te Ahu a Turanga Western Gateway/Manawatu Gorge area over March & April. This walk is on the shared pathway that follows the Te Ahu a Turanga : Manawatū Tararua Highway. This looks like it's going to be an absolutely stunning walk!. We are hoping for third time lucky for this event, as weather and other events prevented our other attempts
Sat 21st Mar - South Mole & River Loop (Easy* to Easy/Mod ~ Local Walk)
MEETING LOCATION: South Beach Car Park at the end of the gravel road past the airport
TIME: 3pm
LEADER: Willem
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes
This is one of the best beach/river walks Whanganui has to offer. We planned to run this as the last walk of last year but the weather got in the way. So we are trying again for this walk, which is along the beach from South Beach up to the South Mole. Returning along the river.
Sat 28th Mar - Te Ahu A Turanga - Western Tracks (Easy to Easy/Mod ~ Day Tramp / Pick Your Own Distance)
MEETING LOCATION: Church on Ingestre Car Park
COST: $18 approx
LEADER: TBC
DOGS ALLOWED: No
These are the new tracks that just recently opened at the Western Gateway of the Te Ahu A Turanga. These tracks offer scenic views of the Pohangina & Manawatu Rivers, goes through wetlands
Sun 29th Mar - Harekeke Forest Walk (Easy ~ Nearby Walk)
MEETING LOCATION: Gate at the end of Pauri Rd (When you get to the prison, go straight ahead down the gravel road, don't go past the prison, transport is available, please email whanganuiwalking@gmail.com to arrange)
TIME: 3pm
COST: Gold Coin (if getting transport)
WALK LEADER: Shi
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes
Shi will take us for a walk through the Harekeke Forest, which is a new location for this group. More info to come later
Sat 4th Apr - Bushy Park Walk (Easy* to Easy/Mod ~ Nearby Walk / Pick Your Own Distance)
MEETING LOCATION: Bushy Park Car Park, transport is available, please email whanganuiwalking@gmail.com to arrange
TIME: 2pm
COST: $8 approx (if getting transport)
LEADER: Willem
DOGS ALLOWED: No
For the Saturday of Easter Weekend, we are headed out to Bushy Park. Multiple walk lengths are available, starting with the short walk around the wetlands on easy tracks up to the full walk, which takes in the fenceline loop
Mon 6th Apr - Longbeach to North Mole / Castlecliff Beach Walk (Easy to Easy/Mod ~ Local Walk / Pick Your Own Distance)
LONG WALK MEETING LOCATION & TIME: 1.30pm at the Longbeach car park on Longbeach Dr
SHORT & MEDIUM WALKS MEETING LOCATION & TIME: 2.15pm at the Castlecliff Beach Carpark in front of the Duncon Pallevan
WALK LEADER: TBC
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes
Burn off those Easter Eggs by joining us for a walk along Castlecliff Beach on Easter Monday. There are three walk lengths available on this walk from Longbeach out to the North Mole. Join at Longbeach for the long walk, or join at Castlecliff Beach for the short & medium length walks
Sat 11th Apr - Manawatu Gorge (Moderate ~ Day Tramp)
MEETING LOCATION: Church on Ingestre Car Park
COST: $19 approx
WALK LEADERS: Willem & Carl
DOGS ALLOWED: No
This is the last of the 3 tramps we are running around the Te Ahu a Turanga Western Gateway area, with this one being the very popular Manawatu Gorge Track. As the new road was opened last year, making access between both of the ends, we plan to walk the full track, which runs through native forest, offering stunning views of the Manawatu River and gorge, as well as wind farms
Sat 12th Apr - Round the Bridges - City to Cobham & Durie Hill (Easy to Easy/Mod ~ Local Walk)
MEETING LOCATION: Car Park at the bottom of Durie Hill Steps
TIME: 2pm
LEADER: TBC
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes
For this walk, we have the lower loop of the bridges around the City and Cobham bridges followed by an optional climb up Durie Hill
Sat 18th Apr - Winter Walks Meeting
MEETING LOCATION: St. John's Club
TIME: 2pm
We are planning the walks & tramps that will take us over the winter period. If you have any suggestions or would like to help run events, please come to the meeting or email whanganuiwalking@gmail.com
Sun 19th Apr - Gordon Park, Strachan’s Cave & Waitaha Pā Site (Easy to Easy/Mod ~ Nearby Walk / Pick Your Own Distance)
MEETING LOCATION: Gordon Park Car Park on Kaimatira Road (transport is available if doing all 3 walks, please email whanganuiwalking@gmail.com to arrange)
TIME: 2pm
COST: Gold Coin (if getting transport)
WALK LEADER: Shi & Willem
DOGS ALLOWED: Only at Gordon Park
This event is made up of three walks, starting with a short bush walk at Gordon Park, then it's off to check out Strachan's Cave up the Kaukatea Valley. The final walk is to the Waitaha Pa Site, located on top of a hill overlooking the Whanganui River
Sat 25th Apr - Apiti Glowworm Cave & Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge (Easy/Mod ~ Day Tramp)
MEETING LOCATION: Church on Ingestre Car Park
COST $22 approx + Dinner
WALK LEADER: Willem & Carl
DOGS ALLOWED: No
For this trip on ANZAC Day, we are heading to the hidden gem of the Apiti Glowworm Cave, where the roof of the cave is lit up with thousands of Glowworms. We will also be checking out the Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge in the Ruahine Forest Park. We will be stopping for dinner on the way home, location TBD. This is a weather-dependent event.
Mon 27th Apr - Virginia Lake & Otamatea Walk (Easy ~ Local Walk / Pick Your Own Distance)
TIME: 2pm
MEETING LOCATION: Virginia Lake Car Park
DIFFICULTY: Easy
WALK LEADER: TBC
DOGS ALLOWED: No
This walk is made up of two parts, with Virginia Lake making up the short walk and then a walk through the Otamatea Reserve and some of the top tracks of Virginia Lake for the longer walk
Sat 16th May - Whitireia Park (Easy to Moderate ~ Day Tramp / Pick Your Own Distance)
MEETING LOCATION: Church on Ingestre Car Park
COST: $32
WALK LEADER: Willem & Carl
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes (must provide own transport)
We are off to Tītahi Bay in Porirua for a second attempt at a walk around Whitireia Park, which is a stunning coastal walk offering views of the Porirua Harbour and Mana Island. This will be the Walking Group's first foray into the Wellington region.
Sat 30th May or 6th June - Rangitikei Bush Walks (Easy/Mod to Moderate ~ Day Tramp / Pick Your Own Distance)
MEETING LOCATION: Church on Ingestre Car Park
COST: $16 approx
WALK LEADER: Willem & Carl
DOGS ALLOWED: No
The plan for this trip is to visit four short bush walks that are located in the Turakina Valley & Hunterville areas, all unique in their own way. Please note, if the Glow Worm Walk is cancelled, this will run on April 25th and the Glowworm event will run on this date
MEETING LOCATION INFO
For our out of town trips we meet at the car park for Church on Ingestre, which is on the Cnr Ingestre & Campbell Streets, let us know if you need a ride to the car park. We can also pick up en route. The toilet at COI may not always be available.
TRANSPORT
We use our private vehicles for transport. The event organizers select the Vehicles and drivers before the event. If you would like to take your vehicle, please email ASAP so the organizer knows your vehicle is available. We prefer drivers for our events to have attended a few events before driving and to have held a full NZ driver's license for 2 years
SAFETY DISCLAIMER
Please note that by joining this tramp/walk, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own safety and well-being, and have the fitness to be able to complete the tramp/walk or the portion you intend to complete. The organizers and leaders will do their best to keep everyone safe, but they are not responsible for any injuries, accidents, or damages that may occur during this tramp/walk
Walk/Tramp Difficulty Gradings
Difficulty How Long Elevation Gain
Easy up to 1.5hrs up to 200m
Not very strenuous, but there may be short climbs & descents with a few steep sections, but nothing too sustained. Streams & rivers are bridged. An easy grading with an Asterisk (*) means the easy portion of the walk has a self-guided section.
Easy/Mod 1.5-3hrs up to 400m
There may be more sustained climbs & descents; the surface may be rooty, rocky, or slippery, with steep sections, but still easy to follow. There may be easy stream crossings, but major streams & rivers are bridged.
Moderate 3-5hrs up to 700m
Moderate climbs & descents; the track can be rough and hard to follow, and may be steep in sections. Stream & River crossings may be present. Prior tramping experience is recommended but not essential.
Hard 5-7hrs up to 1000m
Steep, strenuous climbs & descents; track can be rough and hard to follow, and may be steep in sections. Stream & River crossings may be present. Must have some prior tramping experience.
Strenuous 7hrs+ 1000m+ Long days with long, steep, strenuous climbs & descents; track may be rough and hard to follow. Stream & River crossings may be present. Prior tramping experience essential, also must have attended a tramp rated moderate or higher with us beforehand.
Local Walk
These walks are based around Whanganui City limits and take place in the afternoons & evenings.
Nearby Walk
These walks are located outside of Whanganui's City limits, but not more than a half hour's drive away.
Day Walk / Tramp
Any out-of-town event that is more than half an hour's drive away. Walk is used for shorter events on easier terrain, tramps for events on more technical terrain and/or expected to take up the better part of the day
Shorter & Longer Options / Pick Your Own Distance
Some of our walks & tramps offer different distances for you to choose from, or easier options in addition to the main walk. If it's an out-of-town trip, please expect a bit of downtime if not doing all the distance, so make sure you bring something to pass the time. If (*) is displayed, that means the shorter/ easier option will have a self-guided section.
Multi-Day Tramp
We will look at running some of these in the future
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