FEATURE | WHENUA | TOUCHING GRASS
Written by Eva Morgan (she/her) | @evamorgann | Contributing Writer
Edited by Tashi Donnelly (she/her) | @tashi_rd | Feature Editor
What qualifies me to rank nature trails? I’m still asking myself that. However, I did Duke of Edinburgh in high school, meaning I had to complete multiple tramps over two years. Duke of Edinburgh, named after Prince Philip, is a programme where students complete volunteer work and tramps to earn awards. Having been forced by my mum to do it, I roped my friends into joining me; thank you, Becca, Brooke, Hannah, and Marcia! We may have been almost shot by a crossbow, starving, exhausted, and tearing up at points, but we laughed.
Here are the tramps ranked from best to worst based on our experience staying overnight.
The Pinnacles = 4.5/5
I recommend climbing the tall pinnacle, a five-minute walk from the hut. The views from the top and the crisp air make it worth the eerie climb up the loose ladders to get there. Reaching the top, we had a spectacular view of the sea and the lush green trees on the hills. I highly recommend this track to students who are prepared for a moderate to challenging hike. We stayed overnight in the hut, which had an incredible view of the hills through its large pane windows in the dining area.
This track can be tricky, as you must walk up many large stairs, so be prepared to have your calves burning. I would also be wary, as the hike can be strenuous in summer.. I did need to stop a couple of times, which was embarrassing, considering my peers were managing fine. After sweating up to the summit, we were sorely disappointed after being told we couldn’t use the showers due to a water shortage, thus taking off ½ a point of my ranking.
2. Rangitoto Island/Motutapu = 3.5/5
This track is the most accessible to AUT students and is only a ferry ride away. Motutapu offers angelic scenery, allowing you to see Auckland from an almost aerial height. There is also Takahē!
I also recommend packing your bag with warm clothes, as it gets cold. This was my first tramp, so I had the most mammoth bag on my back. Just an hour into the trip, I embarrassed myself by rummaging for my beanie—only to realise it had vanished. After holding everyone up for ten minutes, my teacher kindly offered to retrace our steps and look for it. About 10 minutes after she left, to my embarrassment, I found my beanie at the bottom of my pack., I later wore it, which led to an awkward conversation with my teacher about its sudden apparition.
Although this tramp involves walking through many fields across Motutapu Island, we were in awe at how stunning the bay was. When we arrived at our camp, the sky was a perfect landscape of pinks and purples, reflecting off the water like a painting. While we sat and ate, we enjoyed the sound of the sea and the Takahe running around. The facilities are quite basic, so this trip did feel more like classic camping.
A tip I would recommend is not making the rookie mistake of eating all the snacks on the first day like we did. Avoid the Rangitoto coastline—just ask Marcia, who lost a shoe. It's far more trouble than it's worth. And always keep track of time, as that ferry off the island will leave without you, and you will be stranded.
3. Te Whare Okioki 2.5/5
After looking the trail up recently, I saw it was closed due to the unsafe track. Hence, I would not recommend this hike, but I think there are important lessons to be learnt. I generally prefer elevated tracks with scenic views; deep in the bush, all you see is trees and dirt, which can get boring quickly. The one-hour trek to the waterfall offers some stunning views. But take my advice: be careful going into that bush.
Staying on track is the number one rule anyone would recommend when hiking, and it is imperative for this trial.
When navigating tricky trails with large slips taking away most of the path, lift the mood for yourself and others: As we made our way to the hut, we found solace in singing Nicki Minaj’s discography. We harmonised to Super Bass; it was a moment of shared relief. Thanks, Nicki.
Furthermore, do not venture into the thickest part of the bush off-track, which was what we were forced to do by our guide, Logan. It is true when they say the deeper you go, the worse it gets. Not only did I fall into a three-foot hole in a patch of wet grass, but I also had a near-death experience. . As we headed further off track, we were horrified to see a hunter with a high-powered crossbow aiming straight at us. Earlier, Logan explained that a man had died in a freak hunting accident as someone mistook him for a deer. My group and I began to scream, and the man dressed in head-to-toe camo with bushes attached to him lowered his bow.
I recommend staying around the campsite or huts, which won’t have hunters with crossbows.
Worst of all, there are no showers, just a long drop. Yes, it’s as bad as it sounds. Marcia, once again drawing the short straw, got trapped when a possum decided to camp outside the long-drop door. Brooke, Hannah, and I stood and laughed for 10 minutes before the possum left.
Word of advice: I would check that any overnight trial has shower facilities or be safe and go to a hut; they tend to have the best gear!
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