📌Matira (2 nights)

From 31st October to 2nd November (Friday, Saturday & Sunday), we will host a two-night event at the relatively less frequented location of Matira, situated on the west coast of Waikato. We are excited to bring you this event as it has been a considerable effort and time to actually bring this potentially remarkable event into reality.

On Saturday, we will embark on a hike along the beach to explore remarkable limestone formations of a section of the rocky coast. Nearby there is an an oxidized sandstone face adorned with breathtaking patterns.

Furthermore on Saturday, we will seize the chance to explore an intriguing limestone cave referred to as the Gaskells cave system, a short drive from the Bach. This cave boasts a remarkable feature called the Elephant's Foot, which is a stalagmite of considerable size and form, resembling the leg of an elephant. Continuing onward, we reach a spacious cavern that showcases a stunning array of densely packed stalactites.

On Sunday, our journey will continue further north, driving to a farm renowned for its unique and spectacular limestone features. During our time at Matira, we intend to stay Friday and Saturday night at two different nearby Bach's.

If you have a passion for unusual and captivating geological formations that promise stunning photographic opportunities, then this is an event you certainly do not want to overlook. For those who appreciate cinema, we will reveal and visit a celebrated filming site that is important in a well-known film. Access to these three different sites are on private property, however permission has been graciously granted for entry by various land owners.

There are a limited number of beds available at the Bach, however there is some space for outdoor camping. Regular participants are given priority for attendance; however, newcomers who are fit and capable are welcome to join this event. The two hikes on Saturday are expected to be moderate, allowing plenty of time to observe various sights. In contrast, the Sunday hike involves more elevation and is somewhat longer, though it is not overly challenging. Regulars will have no problem to hike these three different locations.

We intend to organize a communal barbeque at the Bach Farm house on Friday evening; therefore, we kindly request that you bring a 'plate' to share. Should there be sufficient leftover food, we may consider hosting another communal barbeque or shared dinner on Saturday evening.
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🚩 Summary of details:
📌 Duration: 2 nights
📌 Friday : No activities are planned, walk to beach is optional
📌 Saturday :
Hike 1 (Cave): 2km (in cave) (about 2.5 hours including breaks)
Hike 2 (Coastal): 8km (about 3.5 hours including breaks)
📌 Maps: Please request a GPX file from me
📌 Sunday : 9km (about 4 hours including breaks)
📌 Map: Please request a GPX file from me
📌 Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale, about 3.0 (Saturday) 3.0 (Sunday)
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🚩The 4 important stopping points.:
👉1) Where we stay on Friday and Saturday nights
1143B Te Akau Coast Rd, Matira
https://tinyurl.com/2jucuu98

👉2) 695-763 Waikorea Valley Road, Matira
(Where we start and finish Saturday's cave hike)
https://tinyurl.com/27n255x9

👉3) 757 Port Waikato - Waikaretu Road, Port Waikato
(Where we start and finish Sunday's hike)
https://tinyurl.com/mr2wur37

👉4) Elsie's Restaurant & Bar, 3 George Street, Tuakau
(Where we have after optional drinks and snacks)
https://tinyurl.com/2s3f6du3
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🚩Accommodation:
We have two bach's for our use. One is the smaller beach cottage that sleeps about 7 and the other is a farm house that sleeps about 11. There will also be space for some tents at the farm house and a couple of people on sleeping mats in the lounge.
The Beach Cottage is a 2 bedroom "Bach" overlooking the beach, every room has an amazing view. This Bach is 1.5km from the farm house along a farm track. Low sided vehicles may not be suitable. This Bach has similar facilities to the Farm house
The other Bach is a former farm house and has all facilities, including a well set up kitchen - 90cm oven, large fridge freezer, dishwasher, BBQ. However you will need to bring your sharp knives. Additionally it might be an idea to bring several Eski's (cool box/bags) as the fridge will soon fill up with everyone's food items.

Farm house Bedrooms:
Bedroom 1: King bed (1-2 pax)
Bedroom 2: 2 sets of bunks (4 pax)
Bedroom 3: 2 singles (2 pax)
Bedroom 4: King bed & 1 Single (2-3 pax)
There is also room for pitching about 3-4 tents on the lawn outside
If possible sharing a tent would be helpful as space is at a premium.
A sleeping mat and bedding is required for those in the lounge. For those in beds - Bedding is NOT supplied.

Beach Cottage Bedrooms:
Bedroom 1: Queen bed (2 pax)
Bedroom 2: Double bed and 1 x Single bed (Bunk set), 2 x Single beds (Bunk set) (5 pax)

There is also room for pitching about 2-3 tents on the lawn outside
For those in beds - Bedding is supplied

Cost per person for two nights:

1. Bedroom bed: $60 ($70 for Beach cottage)
2. Camping: $40
3. Mat on floor: $40

❌❗ As with any communal sleeping event, please be considerate of others, who would like to sleep early or wake later, by keeping noise to a minimum. Thank you 👍
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🚩Time line (guide only)
📌Friday:
11:55 Low tide
13:00 Earliest time to arrive at Bach. Set up tents etc - No activities are planned for Friday.
18:30 Group barbeque/shared dinner
19:54 Sunset
20:30 Latest time to arrive

📌Saturday:
06:15 Sunrise
08:00 Leave Bach & drive to Cave
08:15 Arrive cave and start hike
11:00 Finish Cave visit
11:15 Back at Bach - early lunch
12:15 Leave Bach - Start second hike
13:00 Arrive at Otehe Point
13:02 Low tide (1st Nov)
14:45 Head back to Bach
15:30 Arrive back at Bach
18:30 Group barbeque/shared dinner (TBC)
19:54 Sunset

📌Sunday:
06:16 Sunrise
09:00 Pack up, Leave Bach, drive to Sunday hike start
09:45 Arrive at 757 Port Waikato - Waikaretu Road
10:00 Start hike
14:00 Finish hike & drive to Tuakau for snacks & drinks
14:45 Arrive at Tuakau for optional snacks & drinks
15:45 Approx leave Tuakau drive back to Auckland
16:30 Approx back in Auckland
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🚩 Check list of items to bring: https://tinyurl.com/nhfrprsm
🚩 Metvuw rain forecast : https://tinyurl.com/4bdbvb4j
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🚩 Costs:
$25 to your driver - if a carpool passenger (based on 10c/km with 2 passengers)
$40 or $60 or $70 for 2 night stay
$13 for cave guide
$78- $108 Total
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🚩 Payment: You will need make payment of $53 or $73 or $83 by 16th October. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Please write your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name, so I can identify you. Please also write 'Matira' as a reference.
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🥂🍔🍗 On Sunday we have optional snacks and drinks at Elsie's Restaurant & Bar, 3 George Street, Tuakau, after the hike.
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RSVP Questions: https://tinyurl.com/yc4bxfff
Thanks 😊
Russell