Home Bay Trip

Location: Rangitoto

Date: 29-30th February 2025

Author: Emily Clark

Participants: Quite a number of folks

Our journey started off strong: No one got left behind at the terminal, took a little trip overboard, nor xxx. 

I think everyone should give themselves a pat on the back for this trip, because, yes it was a beginner trek, but dang were we 

Greetings friends. This little beginner-friendly trip was a good one. 

First off, I am proud to say that everyone in the group made it in a very timely manner to the ferry terminal- which is no insignificant feat. Seems like the threat of having to swim a couple of kilometres with a pack really makes you punctual. 

The boat ride itself was smooth, and the sky lovely and clear. It made you forget about the $58 dollar Fullers ticket and just bask in the prospect of some island hopping! Once we disembarked, we took a group photo on the wharf; all 20 or so of us huddled behind the most beatific, verdant flag in existence. 

The first leg of the trip was to hike up to Rangitoto Summit. The path was covered with dark igneous rock with small trees and flaxes lining the sides. The further we walked inland the more cover we were blessed with. It was only about 23 degrees at this point, but man that’s toasty when xxxx. 

At the summit we were blessed with some beautiful 360 views. When you looked forward from the platform the sky tower was clear as day, and then slowly rotating your head you could see the lighthouse, some baby Kuera with their mum, our president/Will  tomfoolering on the lookout and finally a family of fantails.  

Rested and recovered, we trundled down to Rangitoto’s caves, which were absolutely awesome. We split up into five or so groups and had a bast creeping through the dark passages. Some had roots coming down from the roof which made you think a weird ghost was tickling your hair; Another had this unreal porthole view carved into its ceiling, with ferns and moss cascading down. No one became a sacrifice to the worm gods thankfully, and our motley crew made it back up the path to the the gravel track that took us to Motutapu. 

We broke bread, much to the joy of my weary compatriots, on the isthmus and then carried on up through the lush green pastures of Motutapu. There were quite a number of hot takes being said about the cows living there. Some were of the opinion that cows are evil creatures, devious, staring you down with those massive baleful eyes; Others went full on paparazzi mode because dang its not evry day in the CBD you see a cow walking around. 

The last few kilometeres were ominous ones. What with the dark rainclouds steadily moving towards the island. We slowly saw Auckland and Waiheke get doused with showers.Joyously, we made it to Home bay sunburnt and dry, and everyone zipped off to set up camp. 

We made it!! We managed to set up camp before the rain!!!

Some of us skedaddled off to play some football while some others just appreciated the sweet joys of being packless and capable of not standing on one’s feet for 6 hours. Around 4pm, it was collectively decided that a little swim was most needed.

The water was superb, honestly. The sky was grey and whipped up the water until it looked muddy and brackish but the shore was stoll warm. The waves were huge but so sick. It was funny watching everyone bob around like little ducks as the waves hit them. The clouds finally agve way to rain while everyone was swimming. 

Which added to the atmosphere, but made dinner a tad trickier. WIth no picnic tables or tarps to utilize, we all huddled under the eaves of the toilet shed to cook. Most of us beginners brought easy meals like Mi Goreng, up and Go, brought some instant ramen, and countdown pasta, but the illustrious senior members of the crew had a full spread going on. 

For over  an hour they laboured away making a camp style Sherpards pie with all the accoutrements: dried peas, mash, lots of mince, and gray. I unfortunately was too engrossed in Uno to ask how it tasted but my hopes are the toil was worth it. 

I think the semi-misery brought by the rain brought us newbies closer together. It’s difficult to not bond when you’re sitting on some dirt next to a toilet getting absolutely suckered by some deviant neighbour playing a +4 on another +4 which was on a +2. Truly diabolical. 

Dinner petered off nearer 7, some folks started to cook up some hot chocolate, others washed dishes, or wandered back to camp to fulfill that card playing desire. The rain had let up her grip a tiny bit, now just a light shower, but the grass was still too soggy to sit on. 

We split off to various tents to play cards/boardgames. I believe tehre was a Coup tent and at least two tents with other playing card games going on.

I was in Jen, Honey, and Malvina’s 3 person AUTC issued tent. By the end of our first game there were 9 of us squished up inside there. Gordon taught us a a variation of snap. Our backs were sore by the end but the vibes were well worth it.

Everyone had a relatively early night. Many people were surprised at themselves: going to bed at 9pm?? What?? Physical exhaustion always means a mean nights sleep. 

There was little condensation on the tents the next morning. We were sheltered by some scrubby trees and pohutukawa which helped. The camp was slow to rise on Sunday morning. A few brave AUTC’ers went on a morning trail run to see the sunrise; later the pukeko woke up the rest of us up and some people partook in a morning swim. 

Around 11 we departed waving the AUTC flag proud. People were quick to move through the pastures, making it back to the isthmus in just over an hour. At the beach we had lunch and settled down to chill. The energy overtook some of us though. Honey, jen, and Malvina very exuberantly started trying yoga. I managed to do that cool plane thing. Miles was playing some gas music, and coup was broken out again. 

At 1pm we started moving again. Sean, Ashwin, liz and I took lead and we marched all the way back to the harbour in 2 hours. Our total pace was 3mph! We were powering through because there was an earlier ferry ride leaving at 230 pm- and we managed to catch it. Some other of the group did as well and we all had a good chat on the way back to Auckland. 

Sean, Ashwin, liz and I decided we were much in need of a victory ice cream celebration so went to the posh Duck island ice Creamery by commercial bay. The fairy bread, boysenberry cheesecake and salted caramel flavours were excellent. 

Overall, a great trip, with lots of new AUTC members getting to know the club and the tramping experience for the first time. We hieked 20 kilometers, weathered rain and caves, and played a lot of jolly card games :). 

Rangitoto: 10/10 experience