Cape Brett Walkway - Labour Weekend
October 2005
 

Friday morning we headed for Rawhiti (26 km from Russell) to meet Kiwi Eco Tours at 12 noon for the boat trip out to Cape Brett.  Peter (the skipper) was there to meet us shortly after we arrived and fortunately was happy to wait for a couple of latecomers, before we headed off to Deep Water Cove (thanks Pete!)..  the drop off point is approximately 2½ hours walk from Cape Brett Lighthouse and the DOC accommodation.  It wasn’t long before we were high above the cliff tops taking in the fantastic views along the walkway.   Fate strike about ½ hour away from the track end, when I jumped across a small stream and pulled my calf muscle…  I limped the remainder of the track whilst Steve did a double trip to carry the packs...   thanks hun!   Moral of the story..  next time get your feet wet and walk through the stream!!

As we neared the Lighthouse we could see the boats in the Auckland to Russell regatta. We were

just in time to see the 30 metre Maxi Yacht KONICA MINOLTA round the point between the end of the Peninsula and the Hole in the Rock, followed by numerous catamarans and other boats. The procession of boats continued well into the night.   We had a relaxed evening, icing my raised leg with the semi-thawed spaghetti bolognese, before heating it up for tea.

Next day was spent enjoying our surroundings, taking in the sights and reading the history of the lighthouse and families who lived there.   I must say, the lighthouse could be a good restoration project, it is in definite need of some TLC!    The West Auckland Tramping Club arrived mid-day, hence we enjoyed the afternoon getting to know each other and swapping tales of tramping trips.   Every now and again the Fullers Boats would stop in the Cape Brett bay with there paying passengers and we’d amuse ourselves to see if we could get a wave from any of them…   the Mexican Wave worked well!!!   It didn’t seem long before we’d enjoyed another evening meal, then we headed off to the cliff edge to enjoy a superb sunset.   The “pass the pigs” game was then unleashed for a night of fun and laughter.

The next day some of us (me & some West Auckland ladies) got up to enjoy the sunrise, then, it was time for those tramping the walkway to head off.   I’m told the 8 hr walk out was well worth the effort!!   Instead, those not walking awaited the boat and were treated to a short detour to the Hole in the Rock, we then headed for Russell and a leisurely lunch in a local café.  Our evening accommodation was at “The Farm Backpackers”, Whangaruru.  Hosts Ellen & Mike, provided a roaring campfire and hearty Lasagna -Salad meal to welcome the walkers back, topping off a fan-tab-ulous weekend.   Thanks to Noel, Eileen, Carl, Colin, Steve, Claire (scribe), Jane & Rachel

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