This article was published in Tararua Tramper month 2025
Kiwi Ranch to Norbert Creek
MF - Wednesday 2 July
Twelve of us met at the Kiwi Ranch carpark at 8.30 a.m. on a very frosty morning, having dropped a car at Norbert Creek car park for the shuttle at the end of the day. The intentions of the trip were to make our way over to the ridge between Farm Creek and Phillips Stream, then along to Kaitoke waterworks and time permitting back to Norbert Creek via Warren’s Saddle.
The walk up Dobsons Track was as expected, very slippery in places and we were pleased not to be coming down that way. Just past pt 539 we left the track and bush bashed a short distance to find the marked but unofficial route down into Farm Creek. On finding the track we first followed it back to Dobsons and left a pink ribbon, just off track, to mark the actual entrance to this route. That accomplished, we set out for Farm Creek with some care; the track is relatively straight forward to follow. Having left the frost behind on our climb up to point 539 we descended back into it for a 10.30 a.m. morning tea at the Kaitoke Scout Hut.
The topo map for this part of Farm Creek isn’t entirely accurate and the flat wooded area can be confusing, but we managed to pick up the track behind the toilet, marked with plastic tent pegs, that led us to the base of the spur that heads NNE to point 630 on the ridge between the creek and Phillips stream.
On attaining the ridge, we wound our way westward towards Kaitoke waterworks. There are a few markers on this route, especially around pt 630 and towards pt 592 but otherwise it is unmarked with a footpad in places. The ridge is relatively open and flat, so it was a leisurely walk and after a lunch stop we reached pt 592 at 1.50 p.m. From there we descended towards Hutt Forks via a spur just east of the access road, on the true right of the first marked tributary of Phillips Stream. This spur is marked at the high point near pt 592 then becomes very wide and open before descending steeply. Anthony led us down directly to the derelict hut at the base of the spur, on the true left of Phillips Stream.
To reach the 4WD road from the hut requires a short walk up the tributary. A rope is attached to a tree on the opposite side - not a good option as Jenny found out when she tumbled down the bank. Immediately upstream of the rope is a much safer crossing point.
We had already abandoned the idea of visiting Warren’s Saddle, so the walk out was along the ‘golden road’, the 4WD access road to Hutt Forks. The four drivers veered off and headed down Norbert Creek Track to the car park; the rest of the party followed the road to the Ranger’s office and campground. The stats for the day were, 13km, over 7 hrs 50 mins, and about 1,000m of climbing. (K B)
Karen Baker (leader), Bill Alcock, Judy Alexander, Robin Chesterfield, Anthony Hill, Catherina and Andrew Fisher, Jenny Mason, David McNabb, Sieny Pollard, Janette Russell, Tim Stone.