Leader: Kate Krawczyk
It was a very hot day for a casual jaunt up the hills behind Nelson. It was a great thing that the Grampians are covered in beautiful native bush with plenty of shade to spare!
We walked from Kate’s place on Anglia Street, cutting through Bishopdale Reserve to Market Road and the start of the Kahikatea Track. The track is so named because, about halfway up the hill, there is a massive kahikatea that is 36 metres tall, has a 34-metre spread and a trunk that is 8 metres in circumference. It is thought to be 300–500 years old. There are other beautiful ancient trees that you pass further along the track: a massive matai and a gnarly old New Zealand fuchsia tree.
We turned left just before the last climb to the viewing platform and circled around the hill towards The Brook. Chris was leading the way at this point. Many years of running these hills have made him very familiar with all the tracks up there. After some meandering zigs and zags we climbed again and reached the viewing platform below the TV tower. We enjoyed gorgeous vistas over Rabbit Island, the Arthur Ranges, the Mt. Owen massif and, of course, Nelson and the Boulder Bank.
We returned back to the bottom via the Mahoe Track, then back to Kate’s place for some great conversation, a cold beer and a sausage on the BBQ.
Participants were: Kate Krawczyk (scribe), Sue Henley and Allan the dog, Ian and Sue Doohoo, Chris Louth, Penny Parker, and David Cook.