Moa Social Hiking (Auckland)

Please read details carefully before RSVP❗

Kia Ora everyone - on 17th January (Saturday), we have an exciting excursion planned as we embark on a ferry ride to Rotoroa Island. Our day's adventure will be a memorable day hike, allowing us to explore the scenic tracks and captivating coastline that encircle the island.
Anticipate breathtaking panoramas of the Hauraki Gulf, discover pristine sandy beaches, and savor the thrill of navigating the rocky coast. We'll also come together for a delightful bring-your-own picnic lunch. Following the hike, there's an opportunity to cool off with a refreshing swim at the charming Ladies Bay Beach.

Rotoroa Island is not just a natural wonderland; it's also home to some of New Zealand's most cherished and rare native birds, including the takahe, kiwi, and others. Beyond its natural splendor, the island boasts a rich and colorful history that we'll have the chance to uncover.
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⛴️ COST:
●The cost for a return ferry ticket is $110 .You can conveniently do so by clicking on the following link:

BOOK TICKET HERE

❌ FERRY TICKET CANCELLATION POLICY
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🕒 Duration: up to 10 hours hike & explore, including stops and ferry ride.
🚶 SPEED: Medium slow (slower than medium in some sections to explore).
💪 DIFFICULTY: 1.5 on our 1-5 scale.
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🛰️ GOOGLE MAP:
google map
🌏 Online topo map of Rotoroa Island track:
topo map
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🥾 HIKE DETAILS:
Exact hike route is not decided yet and will be announced on the day.
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🚾TOILETS:
At Home Bay, Ladies Bay, and Men's Bay
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🚩 REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND:
-- Be a member of Moa Social Hikings.
-- Be signed up on Going list before event starts.
-- Be able to walk back to the downtown ferry terminal with the group.
-- NO JEANS, GUESTS,CHILDREN,ANIMALS OR SMOKERS.
-- Agreed with the RSVP questions.
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📌 meeting place:
meeting place
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🔔 TIME GUIDELINE:
09:00 - Good time to arrive at the explorer kiosk, meet & greet;
09:15 - Approx get on ferry;
09:30 - Ferry departs Downtown ( with or without you);
10:50- Approx ferry arrives at Rotoroa Island;
11:00 - 13:00 shared BBQ lunch at ladys bay beach;
13:00 - Approx to start the hike;
15:00 - approx to finish the hike ;
15:10 - 17:10 FREE TIME (smiwimming,snorkeling & do your own fun things);
17:10 - packed and on the way back to the wharf;
17:30 - Approx get on ferry returns to Auckland;
19:05 -Approx get back to donwtown ferry terminal.
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🚚 BRING:
✔️ BBQ food (drink) to share with everyone(or bring your own lunch) ;
✔️ At least 2L drinking water;
✔️Footwear suitable for stony & rocky surface;
✔️Clothing suitable for windy summer in case;
✔️Sun protection;
✔️Clean clothing & footwear to change into after hike;
✔️First-aid items (at least for cuts and scratches);
✔️Picnic set & cleaning gear;
✔️Beach mat& blanket;
✔️Swimming gear (optional);
✔️bring your own beach games (optional);
✔️Sense of humor.
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🦺HEALTH & SAFETY:
Our hiking activities come with some hazard & risks, our organizers are volunteers. By RSVP’ing you accept full responsibilities for your own safety.
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🤝First Timers & Regulars:
Welcome First Timers to MoaSocialHiking, we look forward to meeting you. Please DO DOT BE SHY if you have no hiking experience or if you worry you are too slow. WE HAVE A VERY CLEAR POLICY TO LOOK AFTER EVERYONE.
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🍕🍔🍰🍟🍻 Shared BBQ lunch (BYO) :
You're welcome to bring any food you'd like to share with fellow hikers.
If you have specific dietary needs or food requirements, you can bring your own lunch.
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📝ADDITIONAL NOTES:
We would greatly appreciate any volunteers who are willing to assist in setting up the shared picnic and helping with the cleanup after the picnic.
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💲 A small gold coin gift of contribution will be greatly appreciated to buy safety gear. For those wishing to contribute directly, here is the bank account: 12-3034-0594293-00 (Moa Social Hikings) - Thank you.
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📸 Instagram photos:
We will select 5 the most iconic photos and upload on our Instagram account, please follow us @ INSTAGRAM.
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Looking forward to see you all 😊.

David (022.001.7621)

Hiking details:
Maratoto to Maratoto saddle a high level look at Golden Cross -
8.6k return plus a bit extra from parking area along a 4WD track to start of track - 3.5 to 4 hours.
Golden Cross high level over view from near our lunch spot near Maratoto Saddle. Time won’t allow us to explore Golden Cross in more detail on this trip.
Grade 3.0.
The track is a bit overgrown near the start with prickly and cutty plants. Some travel is along the river bed that is made up of large stones & boulders. The river bed has little shade and Maratoto Saddle is also an open grass area.

*We do not intend to climb Maratoto Rock.

History Background:

Between 1895 and 1920 the Golden Cross underground mine produced just over two and a half tonnes of gold. When the mine closed in 1920 the site became farmland.

Seventy years later in 1990 a new mining licence was granted. Mining was both underground and open pit and between 1991 and 1998 over twenty tonnes, of gold and fifty two tonnes of silver were extracted.

“Today’s” gold price per ounce USD3,936.00.

We will pass the Ballroom, where during the mines initial early 20th century working folk gathered to dance and have fun! Keep a look out for other some other mining relics!

This track takes us to a point above with outlook to an old mining area, through regenerating broadleaf/hardwood forest and reverting pasture land.

There are some interesting landforms in the general area.

This track is rough and unformed in places and there are unbridged river crossings so we will need to exercise caution. The rocks are slippery and can be smooth. The Maratoto Stream and various tributary streams have to be crossed several times. It may be possible to maintain dry feet by rockhopping across, but to be honest, you are better to expect wet boots.

Meeting location:

Meet at the start of the hike, Maratoto Road end - this is a gravel road but easy enough in a 2WD car.
Note: Stop and park before the partially eroded ford. This will be the start and finish point for the hike.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/quN4TkET2mi1qYsg8?g_st=ic

After we will retire briefly to Red Fox Tavern, Maramarua for sustenance;

https://maps.app.goo.gl/LF3owUk24qTDnnjz9?g_st=ipc

TIME GUIDELINE:

9.45 a good time to arrive

9.55 introductions

*** 10.00am start hike ***

2.30pm finish hike

3.30pm Red Fox, Maramarua

4.30pm depart for Auckland

No jeans!
You will get wet feet!
Passengers pay drivers $30.
Meetup fee $2 - $5.

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💼 BRING:
✔️At least 2L drinking water.
✔️Lunch or snack food.
✔️Footwear suitable for stony & rocky surface. Boots for this one if you have them.
✔️Sun & rain protection.
✔️Bags for wet and dirty footwear & clothing.
✔️suitable clothing for the seasons hike.
✔️First-aid items (at least for cuts and scratches).
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✍🏻 PREPARATION:
It is important to be well prepared. Before we meet:
👉Know how to get to all meeting places.
👉Study hike details & map well.
👉Prepare everything you need to bring.
👉If you are the driver, have car refueled or recharged ready to go.
👉 Find and confirm your driver(passengers) whether they go to the pub or going home directly after the hike.
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🦺HEALTH & SAFETY:
Our hiking activities come with some hazard & risks; our organizers are volunteers. By RSVP’ing you accept full responsibilities for your own safety.

💰Koha: A small gold coin gift of contribution ($2 - $5) will be greatly appreciated to buy safety gear and to cover for the track safety control assessment expenses. For those wishing to contribute directly, here is the bank account: 12-3034-0594293-000 (Moa Social Hikings) - Thank you.

Looking forward to seeing you all 😊.

Description:
On Saturday we will walk Piraunui Track (advanced tramping track) in Coromandel Forest Park.
We start at Kopu- Hikuai Road (SH25a) from the road side car park/helipad and head down to the Kauaeranga River (unbridged) where toilets will be available at the nearby Visitor Centre.

It is not necessary to cross the river (unless you go to the toilet). We can stop for lunch on the near river bank or at Kahikatea Campsite or nearby. We expect the descent to Kauaeranga Valley to take around 2 hours or perhaps a bit less. After lunch we will head back uphill to the cars along the same route.

The Piraunui Valley contains forested river flats, stands of regenerating kauri and unusual rock formations. We may pass a waterfall and there is a possibility of some mud as we cross the farmland near the river having crossed Shag Stream. + 12k - 6 out, 6 back + 280m descent + 280m ascent + 4 hours + grade 3.0 The ample sized car park doubles as a helipad.

It is essential that all cars are parked appropriately so as not to disrupt its use in the event of an emergency. Try not to overshot the car park entry - if you do you’ll pass over the newish Taparahi Bridge.

The SH is a windy 100kmh road with limited turn around opportunities. Meet for start of hike; https://maps.app.goo.gl/44HmvvbrsDhaVMkz8?g_st=ipc Afterwards, we will adjourn to the Red Fox, Maramarua for well earned refreshments before returning to Auckland.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cidDZSUM9QXjZ43M8?g_st=ipc

Sunrise 7.24am

Sunset 7.31pm

9.45am good time to arrive
9.55am introductions
* 10.00 Hike start
* 2.30pm hike finish
3.15pm Red Fox
4.15pm depart for Auckland
Passengers please pay drivers $30.00.
Please pay David $2 online to cover Meetup Fees or a $2 coin to the Host.

Looking forward to see you.

Team Moa Social Hiking.

Please read details carefully before RSVP.

Kia Ora everyone - on 2nd May (Saturday), we are going south of the Bombay hills to hike Mt William and mt Puketutu one-way return. This walkway includes the summit with expansive views of the surrounding countryside, rolling green hills with farm animals, and native forest in Mt William Scenic Reserve.

✨ Duration: up to 4-5 hours hike & explore, including stops.

✨ Estimated distance: 8-10 km

✨ Estimated total ascent: 480m

✨ SPEED: Medium slow (slower than medium in some sections to explore).

✨ DIFFICULTY: 3.0 on our 1-5 scale.

✨ If you RSVP, then if you are not able to go. Please Change RSVP to NO as soon as possible . Otherwise, you may be marked "no show", 3 "no show" and you will be stopped from attending for 6 months.

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✨ GOOGLE MAP:

Google map

✨ Online topo map of mt william track:

Topo map

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✨ HIKE DETAILS:

Exact hike route is not decided yet and will be decided on the day.

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✨ TOILETS:

NO TOILET in this track, so you may have to use the public toilet in Bombay, here is the address:

Public toilet

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🚩 REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND:

-- Be a member of Moa Social Hikings.

-- Be signed up on Going list before event starts.

-- Be able to walk back to the carpark with the group.

-- NO JEANS, GUESTS,CHILDREN,ANIMALS OR SMOKERS.

-- Agreed with the RSVP questions.

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✨ meeting place :

Meeting place

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✨ TRANSPORT AND CARPOOLING:

Carpooling is highly recommended due to the high price of fuel. Please comment when you rsvp whether you need a lift / can offer lifts, which part of Auckland ;

make sure your meetup private message is available to communicate and check it regularly ;

$20/person(fuel engine & hybrid powered) or $10/person(EV) recommended to pay for the driver.

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✨ TIME GUIDELINE:

11:00 - Good time to arrive at the carpark, meet & greet;

11:10 - Latest time to arrive at the carpark and get ready;

11:11- Introduction;

11:15 Approx start hike;

15:30 - Approx end hike (depends on how fast we walk) optionally go to Pokeno ;

16:00 - Approx return to city;

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✨Check list:

✔ At least 2L drinking water;

✔ Lunch or snack food;

✔ Footwear suitable for stony & rocky surface;

✔ Clothing suitable for early spring (e.g merino layer);

✔ Sun & rain protection;

✔ Bags for wet and dirty footwear & clothing;

✔ Clean clothing & footwear to change into after hike;

✔ First-aid items (at least for cuts and scratches);

─────

✨ PREPARATION:

It is important to be well prepared. Before we meet:

Know how to get to all meeting places.

Study hike details & map well.

Prepare everything you need to bring.

If you are the driver, have car fuelled or recharged ready to go.

Find and confirm your driver(passengers) whether they go to the ice cream shop or go home directly after the hike;

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✨ BIOSECURITY INFOMATION:

To help prevent the spread of Kauri Dieback disease all shoe must be free of soil and seeds.

─────

✨HEALTH & SAFETY:

Our hiking activities come with some hazard & risks, our organizers are volunteers. By RSVP’ing you accept full responsibilities for your own safety.

─────

✨First Timers & Regulars:

Welcome First Timers to MoaSocialHiking, we look forward to meeting you. Please DO DOT BE SHY if you have no hiking experience or if you worry you are too slow, here is the home to take care of you. WE HAVE A VERY CLEAR POLICY TO LOOK AFTER EVERYONE.

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✨ 🍦 ☕ 🍔🍗 🥂 After hike option :

Original Pokeno ice cream & coffee shop is one of the best ice cream shop in Auckland since 1990s. They serve the good quality ice cream, which I recommend to go if you are free after the hike.

Address: Pokeno ice cream

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✨ ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Be on time (For example, if GPS estimate time is one hour, you may leave at least 1.5 hours to travel). We are NOT going to wait for late hikers after 11:10.

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✨A small gold coin gift of contribution will be greatly appreciated to buy safety gear. For those wishing to contribute directly, here is the bank account: 12-3034-0594293-00 (Moa Social Hikings) - Many thanks

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✨ Keep updating:

After signing up, keep an eye on comments for any updates.

Alternatively, you may follow us on Instagram at :

https://www.instagram.com/moasocialhikings/

AS WE WILL KEEP UPDATING ALL DETAILS ON INSTAGRAM.

Looking forward to see you all 😊.

David (022.001.7621)