Trip Report
Raupo Bay – Banks Peninsula 1st April 2017
Trip Guide: Brian
Trip Report by: By Peter
Following the postponement from the previous week Brian arranged some brilliant weather this time for our field trip to Raupo Bay on Banks Peninsula.
Seven intrepid explorers met at Little River Cafe for the obligatory morning coffee then ventured forth to Little Akaloa. A couple of wood pigeons played ball and allowed some close-ups then it was up the hill to quaint St Lukes Church and cemetery. Surrounded by large trees that were just starting to lose their leaves and set on a slight rise this church made for some lovely images. Brian has a great affinity with this part of Banks Peninsula and indeed it seems several of his ancestors reside here in the cemetery.
We carried on further up the hill arriving at the track to Raupo Bay around lunch time. After a leisurely lunch lounging on the lush grass we trekked off down the steep 1.3km track to Raupo Bay. This is a delightful spot with no people! Brian had timed our arrival here to coincide with low tide so we were able to easily wander from one end of the beach to the other. There were lots of photo opportunities – weird rock formations on the cliffs, rock pools, sea birds and even the skeleton of an old Toyota buried in the sand. God knows how it got there!
The problem with walking down steep hills to reach your destination is you have to walk back up the hill to go home. With a small amount of huffing and puffing and some of us getting a sweat up we arrived back at our vehicles, caught our breath then headed back to Little River Cafe for a wind down.
Brian, your in depth knowledge of this little known area made for a very interesting and enjoyable day. Thank you.
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