Tramp Reflections 804 - Whangamata and Wentworth Valley, Onemana Bay

18 January 2009

The Hamilton Tramping Club welcomed 6 new trampers, Nick, Sue, Louise, Lorraine, Diana and Charlotte on a warm wet Waikato morning. It was fantastic to have Vince, Malcolm, Dom, Claire, Gail and Brian along as well as two more experienced trampers who have asked to join our club, Louise Carter and Dianne Bowen. As we left Janey phoned PJ only to find PJ was speeding to the van thinking we leave at 8 a.m. instead of 7.30 so sorry PJ we couldn't wait as we had organized to meet Bev Aves at the Whangamata Golf course. Gail offered to take her car as on Saturday evening we had 17 trampers but some pulled out due to the weather - how silly of them - as they would have loved the sunny little beaches in Onemana where we swam later in the day.

Gail, Janey and Sue picked up Bev and then followed the van up the Wentworth Valley Road. We all then set off up the Wentworth track along the picturesque Wentworth River to the falls. We stopped for morning tea at the falls where many excellent photos were taken, then continued along a steeper section of track to a basin at the top of the falls. Janey had intended to do the Loop Track at the top as it has stopped drizzling and the sun was coming out but heavy rain overnight, not to mention 4-wheel drive ruts made this too difficult. Sue at this stage, on seeing a small lake on the track, asked if this is why they had been asked to bring their togs.

We decided to return to the falls having lunch on boulders in the stream in the sun at 12.30. It was strange applying suntan lotion after having all had raincoats on when we left the van. I must say Sushi and rather gourmet lunches seemed to be on the menu not just your standard toasted sandwiches.

We drove through Whangamata and North 4 km to Onemana Bay where we walked along the coastal track with breath taking views. Most stopped by the first bay and only Vince wanted to go to the very end of the track with Malcolm and Janey. The cliff top walk is quite easy to find if you walk up the hill on the South end of the Onemana beach, it passes through a gully then follows quit a steep incline before dropping down to little beaches that can only be accessed by foot. The undulating track has stunning sea views over many little islands such as Skipper and Penguin Islands. After approximately an hour to an hour and a half the track takes you down to a beach with a tiny island and lots of rocks that you can clamber over - just a beautiful isolated spot. As the weather was so good by the afternoon most preferred to swim or just sit in the sun! After a couple of hours at the Bay we set off for home at 4.30 stopping for ice-creams in Whangamata, arriving back in Hamilton at 6.15 pm.

Janey Nolan