Goat Island Camping + 2 Short Hikes

(RSVPs are now open) ...

On Saturday night we are planning to camp at Goat Island campground as part of weekend trip in north Auckland area along with Dome Forest Walkway (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/151463902/) on Saturday and Mt Tamahunga Hike (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/events/151454932/) on Sunday. We will have a couple of short hikes near Goat Island late Saturday and early Sunday, including Goat Island Walkway and part of rocky coastline. There can also be an opportunity to swim, snorkel, and explore rock pools in New Zealands's oldest marine reserve.

Duration: About 4 hours hike total (late Saturday plus early Sunday).
Difficulty: 3 on our 1-5 scale for days hikes. About average difficulty overall. Rocky coast sections may be technically more difficult than average, Goat Island Walkway includes some moderate hill climbing but is easier than average. Each hike will be shorter than average.

Weather Update (Fri 1pm) ... Metservice forecast (http://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/auckland/auckland-central) is forecasting fine weather (sun symbol) with light easterly or southeastly winds and high of 25°C for both Saturday and Sunday, with chance afternoon shower on Sunday. Metservice rain forecast (http://www.metservice.com/maps-radar/rain-forecast/rain-forecast-3-day) and Metvuw rain forecast (http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast.php?type=rain&region=nzni&noofdays=7) are both showing no significant rainfall in north Auckland during weekend.

Important Notes & Updates:- Planning is mainly based on attending the whole weekend trip. However, it's possible to attend this meetup only or together with just one of the day hikes (transport permitting). If you're planning to camp but not attend whole weekend trip, it will help if you let us know what you're planning, transport situation, etc.

• Some plans are not yet decided. Early Yes RSVPers for camping can help decide some plans.
• We are currently planning to arrive at Goat Island car park for late afternoon hike before we go to campground and set up camp, in order to make best use of this time.
• We currently planning to leave campground soon after 10am Sunday but we could stay longer at Goat Island and start Mt Tamahunga hike later if campers prefer. (Note, starting later may mean not including visit to Omaha beach after Sunday hike.)

Preparation:
Everyone who attends is encouraged to be well prepared for this hike. Before we meet it will help if you:

• Know how to get to all meeting places (study Google map directions (http://goo.gl/maps/K6BIY) - even if you won't be driving you may need to help navigate);
• Have vehicle fuelled and ready to go (if you might be driving);
• Prepare everything you need to bring (see Bring section below; arrive early if you need anything from supermarket).

Basic Plan for whole weekend trip:
Here is the basic plan for the whole weekend trip (for campers planning to attend whole weekend):

• Meet at Victoria Park New World, 9:15am Saturday, for carpooling.
• Drive to Dome Valley for Dome Forest Walkway hike (5 hours).
• Arrive Goat Island car park around 5pm for late afternoon coastal hike, explore, swim, etc (about 2 hours).
• Arrive Goat Island campground around 7pm, set up camp, prepare dinner.
• Early Sunday morning hike near Goat Island (2 hours).
• Drive to Omaha Valley for Mt Tamahunga Sunday hike (3½ hours).
• Can optionally go to Omaha for walk along beach and swim after hike.
• Can optionally stop at Matakana for refreshments on way back.

Meeting Places:

• Goat Island campground, 123 Goat Island Road is where we'll meet for camping. Entrance is about 350m from end of road. Turn left on acute angle up tree lined driveway.
• Goat Island hikes start from carpark at end of Goat Island Road.
• See Google Map directions for whole trip (http://goo.gl/maps/K6BIY) with following location markers:
  -- A: Victoria Park New World
  -- B: Dome Forest car park
  -- C: Goat Island Camping and Accommodation entrance
  -- D: Goat Island car park
  -- E: Omaha Valley car park (Mt Tamahunga Walkway)
  -- F: Omaha beach car park
  -- G: Matakana

Carpooling:

• Carpooling for whole weekend trip will be arranged for everyone meeting at New World 9:15am Saturday (transport permitting; you can read more details here (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/pages/Transport_and_Carpooling)).
• Any campers who prefer to skip Dome Forest hike and start trip later on Saturday can arrange own carpooling (transport permitting). You can mention your alternative plans and transport situation in Conversation below and then contact each other to arrange.
• This trip is longer than usual and extra luggage mean vehicles are likely to carry fewer passengers. Each carpool passenger for whole trip is asked to give $20 to driver.

Time Guideline (subject to change):
Saturday:

• 17:00 - Approx arrive at Goat Island car park for late
• 19:00 - Approx arrive Goat Island campground, set up camp
  Sunday:
• 07:00 - Approx start early morning hike
• 09:00 - Approx end early morning hike, breakfast, etc
• 10:30 - Leave campground for Mt Tamahunga hike by now

Maps:

• Online NZ Topo map of Goat Island area (http://www.nztopomaps.com/-36.270643,174.796858,14,Map,100)
• DOC map of Goat Island Walkway (http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-protected-areas/cape-rodney-okakari-point-marine-reserve-boundary-coordinates-and-map.pdf)
• Google map directions (http://goo.gl/maps/K6BIY) (can zoom in on location markers for closer satellite view)

Hike Description:

• Hiking plans are not decided yet and may be decided to some extent while we are there, but we can look to include most of the following ...
• Goat Island Walkway traverses the coast above the shoreline east of Goat Island, part way to Cape Rodney, with return same way. One way is 1.5km, 1½-2 hours return (maybe early Sunday).
• It is possible to walk rocky coast west of Goat Island all the way to Pakiri beach at low tide. We won't have time to do this but can walk as far as time and interest allow then return (maybe late Saturday).
• Accessibility of rocky coast east of Goat Island at low tide is unknown. This can be explored if time allows.

Camping:

• We are planning to camp at Goat Island Camping and Accommodation (http://www.goatislandcamping.co.nz/), 123 Goat Island Road, Leigh.
• This is a relaxed commercial campground with plenty of facilities including hot showers, kitchen, lounge, bonfire, etc.
• Low season rates apply until end of November.
• Free range tenting and campervan is $18/person. No need to book. Each tent camper will need to make own tent arrangements: bring a tent or arrange to share with another camper (ideally someone you know) before we meet.
• A few caravans and cabins are also available. These will probably need to be booked. Caravans can sleep 3 to 4 people: $70 for 2 people + $15 extra adult. Group tariff for cabins is $25/person for minimum of 3 adults. Phone 09 422 6185 to enquire or book. You may want to consider arranging to share with others.
• Can pay by cash or eftpos when arrive but not by credit card.

Bring:

• food and drink for whole trip
• enough clothing for duration of trip
• footwear suitable for rocky coastline and walking tracks
• sun and rain protection
• plastic bags for dirty footwear
• first-aid items
• tent (unless book caravan or cabin)
• sleeping bag and other sleeping gear
• toiletries
• torch
• towel
• swimming gear if interested to swim
• anything to keep you entertained while not hiking
• cash ($20 if carpool passenger; $18 for tent camping (more if caravan/cabin); optional extra for refreshments after Sunday hike)

More Information:

• DOC webpage for Goat Island Walkway (http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/auckland/north-auckland/goat-island-walkway/)

Notes:
(1) This will be the first time we camp or hike near Goat Island.
(2) Dome Forest hikers will arrive at Goat Island car park after hike, around 5pm, but could be earlier of later. If earlier we can explore before returning to car park at 5pm for start of late afternoon hike.
(3) It is safer and generally more fun to hike together as a group. We aim to do this with stops at key points for group to regather. However, there's no guarantee this will happen and there will be flexibility for people to do some exploring on their own.
(4) We'll probably walk at a moderate pace that is comfortable for average hikers with stops at places of interest along the way.
(5) Low tide is approx 6:10pm Saturday and 6:50am Sunday. This is suitable for rocky coast hike and explore late Saturday afternoon and early Sunday morning.

RSVP:
If you are interested to attend it will help if you:

• Read the full details of this description carefully;
• RSVP online soon, ideally by 7pm Friday;
• Answer the RSVP questions when you RSVP;
• "Change" your RSVP later if you decide not to attend or any of your RSVP answers are no longer accurate;
  Thanks :-)

RSVP Questions:
The following question appear for you to answer when you RSVP (if you have any problems answering online, you can e-mail your answers to Stephen (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/members/7405475/)):
(1) At this stage, how certain/uncertain are you that you will attend? Does this depend on anything (eg, weather)?
(2) How much of weekend trip are you planning to attend: (A) whole weekend (please RSVP for Dome and Tamahunga meetups too); (B) other (please specify what you are planning, transport situation, etc)?
(3) What is your tent/camping situation: (A) bringing a tent; (B) booking caravan/cabin; (C) other (please specify)?
(4) We are currently planning to leave campground on Sunday by 10:30am. Is this okay with you?
(5) Do you have any preferences regarding which hikes to do near Goat Island, when to do each hike, and how long to hike for?
(6) Do you have any other preferences or thoughts regarding plans for this trip?

Are you interested to attend?