Excellent views

Goat Hill & Okiwi Bay Hill – Sunday 7 March 2021

After a pleasant drive we arrived at the Okiwi Bay Scenic Reserve and began the climb up the scenic Goat Hill track. Previous rain had made the track sticky and slippery but the day was fine and there were excellent views of the settlement from the lookout seat. Fishing buoys hanging in the trees made for some interesting photographs.

The track winds steadily upward to a stunning lookout at the top of the hill. There were excellent views out over Whangarae Bay and Croisilles Harbour and its small islands. It was beautiful conditions.

From there we came out onto Croisilles Road and descended the road then turned into Malcom Ives property.

After a brief lunch stop, we walked up Malcolm’s hill track, meeting him halfway up the track. After complimenting him on the excellent conservation and track work, we carried on to Malcolm’s hut and then to the high point at 490m to get a great lookout over the entire bay. From there we descended back to Malcolm’s wonderful hut, then down another of his tracks, eventually finishing up at his new home for an afternoon cup of tea.

From there we walked down the road to our cars.

Participants: Julian (scribe), Alison, Colin, Jeni, Paula, Val, Esther S, Eric, Maria, Rob, Lesley, Chris, Jo, Di and visitors Bruce and Esther H.