Nau mai, Welcome to the 2022 Banks Peninsula Walking Festival, running every Saturday and Sunday from 5th-27th November.  

This year’s programme listed below will be as popular as ever with a wonderful variety of walks to enjoy on Banks Peninsula. We are including some of the fantastic walks that were canceled last year due to weather, as well as some exciting new offerings.  This includes a family friendly walk to Packhorse Hut guided by 8-year-old Miss Emilie and her mum Victoria Ann Bruce who walked Te Araroa together,  a rare opportunity to hike to Omahu Reserve from the Otahuna Valley, a chance to learn about the incredible work being done to restore Ahuriri Wetland and a four paws adventure at Panama Rock Reserve!  The great variety of walks offers something for people of all ages, abilities and interests. Whether it be history and heritage, botany or geology there is something for everyone with a guarantee of beautiful views and scenery along the way.

Walk Difficulty Key:

EASY WALK – Well formed track, easy mostly flat walking

WALK – Partly formed track, some up and down

TRAMP – Track mostly unformed with prolonged up and down

ROUTE – unformed and rough surface with prolonged up and down

Recommended for families

Use these key words to check the walk is suitable for your abilities before booking!

Book early as places are limited and walks fill up quickly!

TICKETS available via Akaroa iSITE 033047784

SATURDAY 5TH NOVEMBER

WALK 01 – PENGUINS OF GODLEY HEAD
with guides Tui Elliott and Graham Slow, and penguin researchers Thomas Stracke and Kristina Schutt
Start time: 10am
Duration: Walk 5-6 hours, 8km
Cost: $17
Start your exploration of stunning Godley Head with the opportunity to see Scott’s Antarctic cabin, a joint relocation and restoration project between the Crichton family and DOC. Head off to see Godley Head’s WWII military defence relics and get up close to Harris Bay’s unique penguin colony, home to the white-flippered penguin, with experts Thomas Stracke Kristina Schutt. Be prepared for scramble down to the rocks to the colony. Stunning views in all directions are a highlight of the day.

WALK 02 A LOOP OF DIAMOND HARBOUR HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Diamond Harbour, Banks Peninsula
Start time: 10:10am
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Cost: Adult $7/Child $2
Walk: family friendly
Join Heritage Zealand Pouhere Taonga staff on a walking loop that will take you around some of the key historic points of Diamond Harbour. Along the way we’ll share stories and pictures of the Māori history of Banks Peninsula, the Stoddart family, Godley House and Ripapa Island as well as some archaeological findings. This is a family friendly walk, and we’ll have a quiz for any children who want to come along. The walk is timed to start a few minutes after the arrival of the 9.50am ferry from Lyttelton.
**Children need to be accompanied by an adult with a maximum of 2 children per adult.

WALK 03 – HISTORY, HOUSES, HARBOUR AND HIKE – West Lyttelton To Corsair Bay
Start time: 10am
Duration: 3 and a half hours, 5km
Cost: $17
WALK – Partly formed track, some up and down
Explore walking through West Lyttelton to Corsair Bay with local historian Liza Rossie. Hear fascinating stories of the area’s distinctive character and heritage. Starting at Grubb cottage enjoy a hike around to Magazine Bay (which was where Mr Grubb’s Nineteenth century boatbuilding business was based.) Enjoy a lunchtime picnic at Te Ana Marina. Walk back via a different route to view the historic homes on Simeon Quay and hear about some of the rich history surrounding these distinctive cottages and houses from a bygone era.

WALK 04 TE AHU PĀTIKI MT BRADLEY SUMMIT BIG DAY OUT
Start time: 9am
Duration: 8 hours, climbs 900m, length approx 21kms
Cost: $17
TRAMP/ROUTE – Track includes some totally unformed with rough surfaces and prolonged up and down
Explore Mt Bradley – crowning glory of Te Ahu Pātiki – the new park created after public support for a highly successful crowd-funding campaign with Roy Tikao (co-chair of Te Ahu Pātiki Charitable Trust), Sarah Anderson, Scott Winter and Christchurch Press Editor Kamala Hayman

Today is a great opportunity to walk and talk with members of the Te Ahu Pātiki Charitable Trust and the editor of The Press about the vision for this special part of Canterbury.

SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER

SOLD OUT
WALK 06 – BRICE FALLS WALK
With Andy Nicholson And Rachel Dunningham – Early Valley
Start time: 10 am
Duration:  1.5 – 2 hours approx. 3km, walk climbs about 300 meters
Cost:$13.50
WALK – Partly formed track, some up and down
This is a pretty walk through a Port Hills farm with an area of the valley being replanted in natives under the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust.  The walk goes along the valley floor before following a narrow stream bed to a lovely 10 metre waterfall.
The waterfall is named Brice Falls after the family who farmed the land as a rehabilitation farm after World War II.
This walk is in the heart of the Te Kākahu Kahukura core area. Te Kākahu Kahukura is a large scale collaboration of landowners, residents, organisations and agencies whose vision is to see the Southern Port Hills area become a thriving and resilient indigenous forest supporting native flora and fauna by 2050; a taonga for Ōtautahi.

WALK 07 – LYTTELTON LOOP – VOLCANIC ORIGINS
With Volcanologist Dr. Sam Hampton, Te Pātaka O Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula Geopark
Start time:10 am – 4pm
Duration: 6 hours approx including talking and interpretation 8km. Walk climbs approx. 400m.
WALK/TRAMP – Both partly formed and unformed tracks, with some up and down
Join volcanologist Sam Hampton on a loop walk and talk around the crater rim of Lyttelton. The walk will guide you through the volcanic origins of the ridges, bluffs and cliffs encountered along the connected trails. The walk begins in an ascent through the Urumau Reserve to the Mt Pleasant Bluffs Track. Along the crater rim it will follow the Mt Pleasant Shared use Track briefly visiting the WWII gun emplacements along the way. The descent follows the Major Hornbrook Track, connecting onto the Chalmers Track. At strategic locations Sam will stop for a chat to describe and interpret various features within the landscape, connecting these to the explosive past of Banks Peninsula.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12

WALK 08 ADVENTURES WITH MISS EMILIE TO PACKHORSE HUT
Kaituna Valley
Start time: 10am
Duration: approx. 6 hours 7.4 km elevation gain about 427 m
Cost: Adults $12, Children $5
Tramp: a steady uphill hike on a well formed track
In 2021 Emilie (aged seven at the time) and her mum Victoria began walking the Te Araroa Trail (the path along the length of New Zealand) raising money for Federated Mountain Clubs and mental health along the way. They completed this adventure six months of walking later and became the first mother/daughter to achieve this!
Miss Emilie will host this very special walk to Packhorse Hut from the Kaituna Valley alongside her intrepid mum.  She will regale you with stories from the trail, reveal to you what she carried, what she learned, her favourite huts and most importantly share with you her love for this country and everything the great outdoors has to offer.
Bring your kids/grandkids or favourite niece/nephew along for this unique opportunity to talk with and be inspired one of the youngest people to have completed Te Araroa!

WALK 09 – A ‘RAP’ WITH A VIEW – TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME
** PLEASE NOTE THE START TIME OF 8:30AM!
With Guides Sinclair Bennett And Christine Stroud
Little River
Start time: 8:30am
Duration: 9 hours. Walk length approx. 15km. Walk climbs approx. 850m.
Cost: $17
ROUTE – unformed and rough surface with prolonged up and down

An epic walk on private properties above Lake Forsyth. For the first 1½ hours we are on vehicle tracks through the lower part of the conservation area below High Bare Peak. Next is scrambling over the rocks in Caton’s Stream, climbing to the headwaters while under the thick bush canopy. You probably won’t get wet, but we have several waterfalls to traverse, which require confidence in steep terrain, stamina, and suitable boots that cope with slippery mud and rock. Part of the route has a rockfall hazard, and if you bring walking poles you need the capability to attach them to your pack. After we emerge into the open, instead of heading back downhill on a vehicle track, let’s take the long way home! We take a spectacular high route along the ridgeline through the neighbouring property of Manderley. After a steep descent down from the ridge, we find an impressive waterfall, rock bluffs and bush with easier terrain, on our way back home.

WALK 10 AHURIRI WETLAND
Lincoln/Motukarara
Start time: 10am
Duration: approx. 2.5 hours easy walk on the flat.
Cost:$13.50
WALK: Easy flat walking
Join Environment Canterbury’s David Murphy and Ranger Brad Smith to walk and learn all about the amazing restoration work going on at this incredible wetland. The Whakaora Te Ahuriri project aims to make the lagoon healthy again. The project involves constructing a wetland in the area and introducing a wide variety of plants. Water will be redirected from the nearby Huritini/Halswell River, pass through the lagoon and then reconnect with the river.
In addition to the 80,000 aquatic plants in the water, the Wakaora Te Ahuriri project team will plant 50,000 plants around the lagoon. These plants will provide food and habitats for native birds and wildlife. Come and learn all about this incredible project and what it means for the area

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13

SOLD OUT
WALK 11 – PURAU HIDDEN VALLEYS EXPLORING HISTORY AND NATURE Long Walk
with Paul and Andrea Dahl
Start time: 10am
Duration: 6 hours, 7-9km approx, 500-700m climb (route may vary slightly subject to weather conditions on the day)
Cost: $17
ROUTE – unformed and rough surface with prolonged up and down
This adventure commences from the foreshore of Purau Bay and follows the historic Māori and European routes up the valley floors to below the rocky crags on the southern slopes of Mt Evans overlooking Whakaraupō/Lyttelton harbour. We will explore the changes in land use and vegetation over the last few hundred years, identifying resulting effects and impacts. We will share and invite discussion on the options for the future of the Valleys, Harbour and Peninsula. This is a great chance for an informative and fascinating day out – with expansive and extremely stunning views to enjoy along the way.

WALK 12 – CHANGING LANDSCAPES OF DIAMOND HARBOUR
with Graeme Fraser, Diamond Harbour Reserve Management Committee
Start time: 10 am
Duration: 3 hours, walk climbs about 200m, length 6 km
Cost: $17
WALK – Partly formed track, some up and down
Follow the coastal track from Diamond Harbour to Purau then saunter back on a historic stock route to return via Morgan’s Gully. As a coordinator for the Diamond Harbour Reserve Management Committee and ‘Friends of Morgans and Sams Gullies’ Graeme will share with you the transformation that has occurred in the reserve area to healthy beauty! See the impacts that people have had on the changing flora as the walk traverses through different ecosystems, both managed and unmanaged. Enjoy stunning views of Lyttelton Harbour and Godley Head, as you learn how the human introduced vegetation dramatically alters the landscape and environment.

WALK 13 – HINEWAI’S PIKIMAI CIRCUIT
with Hinewai Reserve’s Hugh Wilson
Start time:10 am
Duration: 5-6 hours, 9km approx. Walk climbs approx. 400m
Cost: $17
TRAMP – Track mostly unformed with prolonged up and down
The Pikimai Circuit is a new route in the upper Stoney Bay Valley of Hinewai Reserve, taking in a range of vegetation from snow tussock shrublands through regenerating native forests and magnificent old-growth red beech forest, with stunning views to enjoy along the way. You will walk along the stunning Stony Bay skyline ridge to start, and then descend down the new track into the forest with a return climb back up through some of the grandest forest on Banks Peninsula to the Stony Bay Saddle, guided by Hinewai Reserves Paul Newport, who refers to himself as the ‘track elf’!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19

WALK 14 PANAMA ROCK RESERVE – ADVENTURE WITH FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS
Start time: 10am
Duration: 2-3 hours, Distance: approx 3.5km/ elevation gain about 250m
Cost:$17
TRAMP – Track mostly unformed with some up and down
The Panama Rock Reserve near Akaroa is wonderful place to have a hiking adventure with your four-legged family member. Join experienced dog hikers Sally Ann Hickling and Andrew Bolton (both have completed the Canterbury Mountain Dog Challenge!) for this up to two to three hour moderately challenging walk. Use this fantastic walk to ask Sally Ann and Andrew all about how to have the best adventures with your dog/s in the back country. Discover, share, learn and gain confidence in a whole new world of opportunity that is hiking with your dog.

WALK 15 – HEAD OF THE HARBOUR HERITAGE TRAIL AND ŌHINETAHI GARDEN TOUR
with Peter Coldicott
Start time: 10am
Cost: $37 (includes entry into Ōhinetahi Gardens)
Duration: Duration:5-6 hours.
EASY WALK – Well formed track, easy mostly flat walking
One of the highlights of this walk will be a visit to the enchanting Ōhinetahi Gardens – our very own local ‘national treasure,’ with its elegant architecture, elaborate sculptures and award winning gardens.  You will catch up on local history as you explore from Governors Bay to Allendale along the picturesque Foreshore Track, the location of Banks Peninsula’s first Geotrail, soon to be completed. Admire the harbour views and savour the seascapes passing the Margaret Mahey Plaque, Governors Bay Jetty, volcanic rock formations and Sage Reserve. Intrepid explorer Peter Coldicott promises this will not be a route march as he guides you around some of his favourite local spots. There will be time to stop and savour some eye beholding properties full of interest and history, visiting some not usually accessible to the public. Enjoy the beautiful Waitahuna property, the first European house in the Bay (1852). Browse in the fully restored School House to see how things were done a century ago!

SOLD OUT
WALK 16 FROM THE VALLEY FLOOR CHANGES AT OMAHU BUSH
with Marie Gray Summit Road Society
Start time:10am
Duration: Walking time: 3-4 hours, Elevation gain: 300m
Cost:$17
Walk (partly formed track, some up & down)
Take advantage of this rare opportunity to access Omahu bush from Tai Tapu. From Otahuna Road, we will walk up through private property to connect with Omahu Bush. We will stop for a morning tea break at Anne’s Falls then continue uphill. The bush is a magical place, renowned for its podocarps, ferns, native fuchsias and birdlife. We will stop for lunch at the top of Rhodes Track and then head back to the start. The walk involves some steep uphill walking but the return trip is a breeze as we are walking downhill on a 4WD track.

WALK 17 THEN AND NOW 30 YEARS OF CONSERVATION AT FRENCH FARM
Brailsford Cook Covenant – French Farm
with Alice Shanks, David Brailsford and Jan Cook
Start time:10 am
Duration: approx 4 hours  Approximately 3km
Cost: $17
Walk. A basic level of fitness, but includes narrow tracks and numerous stiles so must have good agility.
A botanical walk and talk through 11 hectares of diverse native forest, following old logging tracks and the ‘Chemin des Lacs’ path constructed by French sailors in 1843. Visit ancient Kahikatea and check out the photo-points put in place 30 years ago by QEII Trust to record regeneration and recovery. Take a short climb to a lunch spot with views across Akaroa Harbour.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20

WALK 18 VISTAS OF TE KĀKAHU KAHUKURA – OTAHUNA VALLEY
with Maury Penno
Start time: 10am
Duration: 6 hours approx.  10-11km approx. climbs 300-400m approx.
TRAMP – Track, includes unformed sections with prolonged up and down
Cost: $17
Join Te Kākahu Kahukura co-chair Maury Penno for a stunning tramp through their outstanding property high above the Otahuna Valley.  Extensive plantings, wetland restoration, trapping work and fencing upgrades are all part of  their efforts to support the vision of Te Kākahu Kahukura that by 2050 the Southern Port Hills has a thriving and resilient indigenous forest supporting an abundance of native birds and invertebrates; it is a taonga for the Ōtautahi / Greater Christchurch community to value, protect and engage with. The property affords expansive views towards the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps as well as to Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora so this tramp is sure not to disappoint photographers, trampers and conservationists.  This will be an opportunity to learn about the work of local landowners to protect, conserve and enhance what is so special about this part of the Port Hills.

WALK 19 – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FRANK WORSLEY – THE AKAROA SKYLINE WALK
with Christchurch City Council’s John Fitch and Nick Singleton – Akaroa
Start time: 10 am
Duration: 7-8 hours, 16km. Walk climbs to 800m
Cost: $17
TRAMP – Track mostly unformed with prolonged up and down

WALKERS WANTED: to walk in the footsteps of Frank Worsley, seven hour journey, steep hills, historic sites, new tracks, amazing views, stories of adventure, tired legs and guaranteed no icebergs.
Starting with a visit to Frank Worsely’s birthplace you will then head up the Woodills South and North to Curry’s Tracks to visit the Frank Worsely house site and then on up over Browntop Saddle, Purple Peak Saddle, traverse below Stony Bay Peak on the track on the Akaroa side through to Stony Bay Rd, and the Misty Peaks Track . This will then link up with CCC’s newly created track, connecting Mt Brasenose to Aylmer’s Valleys Newton Waterfall Track, and then head back down to Akaroa to view Frank’s memorial bust by the main Akaroa Wharf. This walk will be a good workout, with some steep climbing involved, with amazing views of the Akaroa harbour gained for your efforts!

SOLD OUT
WALK 20 STEEPHEAD RECONNOITRE – LE BONS BAY
with Hamish Dalglish, former Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board and Federated Mountain Club Chair Jan Finlayson and QEII Trust Representative Alice Shanks
Start time: 10:30am
Duration: 5 and a half hours approx. 7km, walk climbs approx. 300m
Cost: $17
TRAMP – Track mostly unformed with prolonged up and down
Take the chance to visit this fascinating covenant and surrounding area at the Le Bons Bay headland. Along with the breath-taking views and native bush to explore you will also learn about the history of the community that once lived in the area.  This walk will take you out to the lighthouse, passing the remains of a World War II watch station along the way. You will visit the area’s old mill site, seeing the waterwheel and old steam engines that once powered the mill. Pass the remnants of the old railway line that had once enabled goods to be hauled up the steep hill from the wharf far below.

The valley bush will one day be a DOC Reserve. It hosts a variety of flora and fauna, including Nīkau Palms and regenerating Tōtara and Matai. Enjoy all of the stories Alice, Jan and Hamish will share with you along the way! Please note there will be a fence or two you will have to climb over or through en route.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26

WALK 21:  PĀ BAY AND GREATER OKAINS BAY: Blended Elements Of Our Landscape – Okains Bay
with Dr. Sam Hampton, Frontiers Abroad, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Canterbury, and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula Geopark
Start time: 9:30am
Duration: 7 and a half hours including talking and interpretation
Cost: $17
Walk Difficulty: Tramp – Track mostly unformed with prolonged up and down
This walk and talk begins in Okains Bay, and follow farms tracks through Kawatea (Little Okains Bay) and out along the eastern headland to the isolated Pā Bay. This walk will guide you through the geology of Banks Peninsula and explore the eruptive process and mechanisms of the rock exposures on the shore platform of Pā Bay. We examine the features of the pā sites (defences), kāinga (village), and gardens that are still recognisable in the landscape, and how the natural setting, biodiversity and resources led to the occupation and development of these sites. We will further discuss how our geology, ecology, archaeology and cultural history are interwoven in the ‘Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula Geopark’.

WALK 22 ROBINSONS BAY WALK –  HISTORY, HILLS, AND HOME GROUND Akaroa
With Suky Thompson
Start time: 10am
Duration: approx. 4-5 hours
Distance: Approx 6km, elevation gain about 300m
Cost: $17
Tramp (mostly unformed track with prolonged up & down)
Walk with local guide Suky Thompson on her home turf. Start with a visit to one of the oldest cottages in Canterbury and the site of its first water powered sawmill – the place where industrial scale deforestation of Banks Peninsula began. Then climb steeply up through the pastoral landscape created by those early settlers, shortly to be re-vegetated by the Council as part of its Akaroa Wastewater project.
Enjoy a lunch stop at the top with wonderful views over Akaroa Harbour and then loop back down to the valley for afternoon tea at Suky’s home. Return via her regenerating native bush block to see the land naturally recovering back to its original forested state.

WALK 23 GREEN DOTS AND GRAND VIEWS – Tai Tapu
With Peter Joyce
Start time:10 am
Duration: approx. 6 hours 10-12km. Walk climbs 300 – 400m approx. 
Distance:
Cost:$17
Walk/Tramp (includes some unformed tracks and a short steep climb)
Join Te Ara Kākāriki Greenway Canterbury Trust co-chair Peter Joyce and Kaimahi for Nature’s Lou Drage for a ramble through the newly planted wetlands, a stunning private native restoration project of over 15,000 plants in the Otahuna Valley followed by a vigorous tramp onto magnificent hill tops with astounding views looking over the Canterbury Plains, the Otahuna Valley and Te Waihora (Ellesmere). The valley includes a number of ‘Greendots’ – managed native planting on either public or private land supported by Te Ara Kākāriki  in conjunction with landowners and other organisations. From here we walk past one of Hugh Wilson’s original RAPs at the top of Geerkins Road, followed by a tour through the private Rocklands Reserve and Peter and Annabel’s incredible Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden and its stunning plantings. The three artists installing at the garden in November are Neil Dawson, Natalie Guy and Alison Erickson. This will also be a first opportunity to see three major additions to the permanent sculpture collection and a very special opportunity to walk and talk with Peter  and Lou about the incredible work being done in the area and share in their deep knowledge and passion for the environment. A very special day!

WALK 24 PURAU MANAAKI MAI HIDDEN VALLEYS EXPLORING HISTORY AND REGENERATION OF OLD FOREST – SHORT WALK
with Paul and Andrea Dahl
*This is a shorter version of Walk 11 that also appears earlier in the festival programme
Start time: 10am
Duration: approx. 4 hours, 5 km and elevation gain of about 500m
Cost:$17
Tramp (mostly unformed track with prolonged up and down)

**not suitable for children
The adventure commences from the Juntion of the Purau Port Levy Rd and the Old Purau Port Levy Rd (letter box number 65) and will follow the historic Māori and European routes up the valley floor of the Waituturi Stream (Kereru Stm on some maps) below southern slopes of Mt Evans.

We will explore the changes in land use and vegetation over the last few hundred years identifying resulting effects and impacts. We will observe the regeneration management options and invite discussion on the options for the future of the valleys, harbour catchment.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27

WALK 25 LYTTELTON HERITAGE HOMES AND BUILDINGS
With Local Historian Liza Rossie
Start time: 10am
Duration: 3 hours, 1.5km
Cost:$17
WALK – Partly formed track, some up and down
Liza has carries out extensive research for the Lyttelton Historic area and has a great knowledge of all of the local buildings, including those that were lost in the 2011 earthquakes. Starting with the oldest home, Grubb Cottage, walk through layers of history looking at different eras of historic homes in Lyttelton and the stories linked to these. Be prepared for some steep streets and to be surprised by the quirky charms of Lyttelton. Have a snack along the way or make the most of one of Lytteltons great cafes for lunch when you have finished!

WALK 26 PUTA WETA AKAROA
With Mark And Megan
Start time: 10am
Duration: Walking time: approx 4 hours, elevation gain approx. 300m
Cost:$17
WALK/TRAMP – Both partly formed and unformed tracks, with some up and down
Explore at a leisurely pace Putawētā, a native regeneration/restoration project overlooking Akaroa with Mark and Megan who threw in their day jobs and became full time guardians of this 40 ha property 4 years ago. They will share their highs and lows while you zig-zag down from the Heritage Park to Akaroa. The walk is mostly on well-formed tracks and covers pasture land and remnant forest with stunning vistas to Akaroa Harbour from Mt Benoit (294 m). As we walk points of interest regarding the early settler history and flora and fauna of the land will be highlighted. This is sure to be a fun and informative walk!

WALK 27 – KIDS ADVENTURE AT SUGARLOAF
with Marie Gray, Summit Road Society
Start time:
Duration: 2 hours, 2.5km. Walk climbs 100m approx.
Cost: Adult $10 Child $2
WALK – Partly formed track, some up and down
This kids adventure will follow a loop track around Te Heru o Kahukura (Sugarloaf).  Kids will have a checklist of tasks and activities to complete along the way. We will start at the Bowenvale carpark and follow Cedrics Track through tussock grasslands. This route offers panoramic views of the Alps and the city. There will be opportunities for snack breaks throughout before returning  to the carpark via Mitchells Track on the Lyttelton side. Journey through native bush before emerging onto a rocky spur with amazing views of the harbour.

This area is part of Te Kākahu Kahukura, a landscape scale restoration project that aims to create a 1000ha biodiversity hub on the southern Port Hills, working in collaboration with landowners, residents, organisations and agencies to protect and connect existing bush and restoration plantings. The 2.5km return track is suitable for most children. The terrain is undulating and there is plenty of variety. As we are focused on making the walk fun for the kids, we will take our time, offer plenty of encouragement and stop for breaks and activities as we go. Make sure you pop in some money for an ice-cream!

WALK 28 PANAMA ROCK GEOTRAIL
With Sam Hampton
Start time: 10am
Duration: About four hours including walk and interpretation, Distance about 3.5km, elevation gain approx. 350 m
COST:$17
WALK/TRAMP: Walk (partly formed track, some up & down)
Panama Reserve is unique, as at its heart is the unique exposure of a volcanic dome and its connected feeder dyke. These geologic exposures provided ecological islands during Banks Peninsulas deforestation and now provide node points for the regeneration of native flora and fauna. This walk will showcase new interpretation panels planned to enhance the visitor experience in the reserve and create it as a Geosite within Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula Geopark.
The walk will be followed by Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula Geopark Trust AGM at the Josef Langer Hut with afternoon tea. This is a chance to meet and further discuss the Geopark with the Geopark Trustees.
Interpretation panels will be displayed during the day for visitors to the reserve to discover.

WALK 29 AKAROA LOW VISION WALK
With Peter Coldicott
Details will be released for this walk early October.