Turakirae Head to Ocean Beach 4wd track - Orongorongo Station access!

[Paladin]

Hi Guys,

I know I am not the only one that has recently lamented the fact that you can't get from Turakirae Head (south of Wainuiomata) on the coast 4wd track to Ocean Beach (south of Featherston) due to the locked gate(at either end!) on the private land of Orongorongo Station. Today I managed to speak on the telephone with one of the owners about access on/through Orongorongo Station with a positive outcome, so thought I would post the details I know so far, so we can start considering an organised ride out that way for sometime in early 2009!

So here's the skinny.......

They have done, and are still happy to give access to organised groups on to Orongorongo Station, by prior arrangement/booking with themselves.
They charge a small access fee that would work out to be around $10-15 per person.
They only allow one organised group out there at a time so it's first come first served re bookings!
Keys for the west entrance and eastern gate both available, so there's potential to ride eastwards all the way to Ocean Beach/Lake Ferry and back. Keys have to be picked up on the day from the main house on the Turakirae Head end in the morning at an agreed time, just not TOO early I was told LOL!, and returned at the end of the days ride.
Apparently they are happy for us to access any of the 4wd tracks on the station and not be limited to just the coast track! I thought that sounded exciting! He reckons there's plenty of trails out there! Obviously care and attention re livestock etc etc expected.

Sounds like it could be a great day out and only 20kms ish south of Wainui down Coast Road before hitting the Station! Also it sounds like there could be an excuse to do 2 trips out there. One that explores the 4wd tracks on the property all day and maybe another where we go for it to do just the coast track and do lunch in Ocean Beach(or the Lake Ferry pub if there's time to do the loop round to there from Ocean Beach!) and then the return trip.

I'm definitely up for a day out there! What do you think?

[MXNUT]

Hi Guys,

I know I am not the only one that has recently lamented the fact that you can't get from Turakirae Head (south of Wainuiomata) on the coast 4wd track to Ocean Beach (south of Featherston) due to the locked gate(at either end!) on the private land of Orongorongo Station. Today I managed to speak on the telephone with one of the owners about access on/through Orongorongo Station with a positive outcome, so thought I would post the details I know so far, so we can start considering an organised ride out that way for sometime in early 2009!

So here's the skinny.......

They have done, and are still happy to give access to organised groups on to Orongorongo Station, by prior arrangement/booking with themselves.
They charge a small access fee that would work out to be around $10-15 per person.
They only allow one organised group out there at a time so it's first come first served re bookings!
Keys for the west entrance and eastern gate both available, so there's potential to ride eastwards all the way to Ocean Beach/Lake Ferry and back. Keys have to be picked up on the day from the main house on the Turakirae Head end in the morning at an agreed time, just not TOO early I was told LOL!, and returned at the end of the days ride.
Apparently they are happy for us to access any of the 4wd tracks on the station and not be limited to just the coast track! I thought that sounded exciting! He reckons there's plenty of trails out there! Obviously care and attention re livestock etc etc expected.

Sounds like it could be a great day out and only 20kms ish south of Wainui down Coast Road before hitting the Station! Also it sounds like there could be an excuse to do 2 trips out there. One that explores the 4wd tracks on the property all day and maybe another where we go for it to do just the coast track and do lunch in Ocean Beach(or the Lake Ferry pub if there's time to do the loop round to there from Ocean Beach!) and then the return trip.

I'm definitely up for a day out there! What do you think?

Sounds like the sort of place to be included in the Wellington area adventure ride ???? , what do you think MARKS / ASLAN ;):whistle::whistle::whistle:

[marks]

Excellent work Dave

I'm available pretty much anytime between now and mid Jan and would be really keen to make a day of it.

cheers


Mark

[Balrog]

Good stuff Dave

Thats going to be a awesome ride. Been wanting to do that ever since I saw
that track snaking away on the other side of the locked gate :)

Jim

[CrazyFrog]

Ride info sounds good so far.....How about organising something for Feb (maybe Waitangi Weekend??) or March, which gives us out-of-towners a chance to make travel arrangements etc. Would love to do this as I missed the Capital Coast with a busted hand.:(

[Underground]

Ride info sounds good so far.....How about organising something for Feb (maybe Waitangi Weekend??) or March, which gives us out-of-towners a chance to make travel arrangements etc. Would love to do this as I missed the Capital Coast with a busted hand.:(

I'll be up for that ! a trip across the ditch to check out some new terrain :2thumbsup

[marks]

you could easily build this into an awesome day ride - something like

Turakirae - Ocean Beach - Lake Ferry - beach to Whangaimoana - Martinbourough (Lunch) - Sutherlands Hut - and maybe Admirals Range to Gladstone Pub for dinner then off back to Wgtn via the Rimutukas

or make it a 2 dayer and add in all the awesome stuff like Homewood/Castlehill/Pori/Coonoor/Maikiro/Pahiatua/Shannon/Wgtn

would all be doable on smaller bikes as the total 2 day loop would only be 500-600k

woohoo that would be fun :scooter:

[PLUG]

or make it a 2 dayer and add in all the awesome stuff like Homewood/Castlehill/Pori/Coonoor/Maikiro/Pahiatua/Shannon/Wgtn

would all be doable on smaller bikes as the total 2 day loop would only be 500-600k

woohoo that would be fun :scooter:

:drool: ... SI invasion ... :yeah:

[pete376403]

I'd be up for this. Last time I had a good ride over that way was on one of the Pukemanu rides. (How long ago were those?)

[ducatijim]

can I come too............................................... ..........?

[marks]

can I come too............................................... ..........?
if you promise to behave


how would mid Feb (14th/15th) sound for this?

is there anything else on that would conflict?

[young1]

Good work that man!

I am interested

[Eddieb]

Ha ha, looks like you've opened a can or worms here mate.

[OV Lander]

Why not carry on further round the coast? Keys can equally be arranged for the White Rock station giving you:

Tk Hd - Ocean Bch - Lake Ferry - Ngawi - White Rock.

For a really full day Riversdale Station (well south of Riversdale!), can also be added on to the end to give you a loop back round to just outside of Martinborough.

[Paladin]

if you promise to behave


how would mid Feb (14th/15th) sound for this?

is there anything else on that would conflict?

Well that certainly looks far enough away to get everyone organised and get the Orongorongo access booked as part of a great 2 day ride!

One thing to remember is the key(s) need to be returned back the same day as pick up to the Station house at the Turakirae end, so we'll need a plan for that if staying out on a 2 day-er. Obviously if someone is only going to do the Station section and retrace then its easily covered, otherwise an alternate plan for key return will be needed.

As we get organised I am happy to continue the liason with the Orongorongo Station owners to sort that booking! (for other rides in the future, if anyone needs the names & telephone number contact info for owners of Orongorongo Station, feel free to PM me - out of courtesy I won't post their details online in the public forum!)

Doesn't sound like the 2 day ride would allow time to just go exploring all day on Orongorongo, so if we DO go for mid-Feb or later for that 2 day-er, then I'm also up for a day ride out there prior to then as a bit of a recce ride!!! (OK so I'll admit I am chomping at the bit to get out there! :2thumbsup )
I'd be up for something like Jan 24th for that - might have recovered enough financially from Christmas to afford getting the Kenda Trackmasters on the bike by then! :rolleyes: They'd be helpful for an exploration of more than just the coast 4wd track i'd bet! (I've also got Jan 10th open at the mo.)

(On my rural roads map there is also shown a 4wd track running up the east side of the Orongorongo River on the same property which eventually joins up with other tracks on top of the hills and I'm sure there's probably other tracks all over the place as they must be all over the land rounding up livestock at various times!)

It might be after a recce out there we might know a tad more about the place and if it's worth the time exploring say the River 4wd track if time is potentially tight on a 2 day-er. Plus it seems none of us has been out there before and with no idea of conditions and time to do even just the straight coast 4wd track, we might learn alot on a full days recce! Or does everyone just wanna be full on Adventurers and just go for the unknown???

Any thoughts?

[magicfairy]

if you promise to behave


how would mid Feb (14th/15th) sound for this?

is there anything else on that would conflict?

Only Valentines Day :love:,

So it's a ride for the single, and the brave (or the very good)

[OV Lander]

So it's a ride for the single, and the brave (or the very good)

Looks like Jim is out!

[Paladin]

Ha ha, looks like you've opened a can or worms here mate.

HAHA! YES!!!!! BUT, good that Orongorongo is now in play cos there's a few of us Welly/Hutt locals have been wanting to get on there!

Funny I was just typing my last post and thinking Marks may have inadvertently suggested a 2 day-er that is starting to sound suspiciously like the makings of the illusive Southern Coast ADV Ride!!! :laugh:

THAT would be fine by me, but personally am fancying a day just playing about on Orongorongo too, and fairly soon! :shifty:

[magicfairy]

Looks like Jim is out!

He has permission, he's a very good boy ........mostly.

Don't think I could stop him anyway, sounds like a most excellent adventure. :niceone:

[Paladin]

He has permission, he's a very good boy ........mostly.

Don't think I could stop him anyway, sounds like a most excellent adventure. :niceone:

Well down in the SI the gals are out ADVing so maybe you NI ladies should join us!!!

[Paladin]

Why not carry on further round the coast? Keys can equally be arranged for the White Rock station giving you:

Tk Hd - Ocean Bch - Lake Ferry - Ngawi - White Rock.

For a really full day Riversdale Station (well south of Riversdale!), can also be added on to the end to give you a loop back round to just outside of Martinborough.

Isn't there a Dutch guy that owns land between Ngawi & White Rock that isn't up for giving access across his land though???

[Eddieb]

Only Valentines Day :love:,

So it's a ride for the single, and the brave (or the very good)


He has permission, he's a very good boy ........mostly.

Jim, you owe your good lady a huge Valentines day present.

As it happens it's also my birthday that day. There's a fair chance I'll be on call that weekend and won't be able to make it but don't let that stop you (Not that I think it would).

[Howie]

Doesn't sound like the 2 day ride would allow time to just go exploring all day on Orongorongo, so if we DO go for mid-Feb or later for that 2 day-er, then I'm also up for a day ride out there prior to then as a bit of a recce ride!!! (OK so I'll admit I am chomping at the bit to get out there! :2thumbsup )
I'd be up for something like Jan 24th for that - might have recovered enough financially from Christmas to afford getting the Kenda Trackmasters on the bike by then! :rolleyes: They'd be helpful for an exploration of more than just the coast 4wd track i'd bet! (I've also got Jan 10th open at the mo.)

(On my rural roads map there is also shown a 4wd track running up the east side of the Orongorongo River on the same property which eventually joins up with other tracks on top of the hills and I'm sure there's probably other tracks all over the place as they must be all over the land rounding up livestock at various times!)

It might be after a recce out there we might know a tad more about the place and if it's worth the time exploring say the River 4wd track if time is potentially tight on a 2 day-er. Plus it seems none of us has been out there before and with no idea of conditions and time to do even just the straight coast 4wd track, we might learn alot on a full days recce! Or does everyone just wanna be full on Adventurers and just go for the unknown???

Any thoughts?

I haven't been right around the coast for about 20+ years, but back then the track was fairly good apart from at least one major shingle slide to cross where sometimes the track was good and other times it had fairly steep drop offs to a stream. There was also a few sandy sections towards the wairarapa end, and a few reasonable stream crossings.
The track up the side of the Orongorongo river was also reasonable condition back then, From memory the Access to the first bit of it is on Orongorongo Station and the rest of it is on DOC managed land, and DOC only allow access on certain weekends to Hut owners up the Orongorongo valley. Your contact at Orongorongo Station could probably full you in on the details, or contact DOC in wellington. Once the 4WD track finishes on the river bed it would probably be fairly slow going up the river as it is a braided river for several more miles, with fairly large stones, or small boulders depending on the way you want to look at it.

On the other hand I would probably be up for a bit of a recce ride on the 10th, couldn't make it the 24th as I have a friend over from Australia then.

Cheers

Paul

[Paladin]

I haven't been right around the coast for about 20+ years, but back then the track was fairly good apart from at least one major shingle slide to cross where sometimes the track was good and other times it had fairly steep drop offs to a stream. There was also a few sandy sections towards the wairarapa end, and a few reasonable stream crossings.
The track up the side of the Orongorongo river was also reasonable condition back then, From memory the Access to the first bit of it is on Orongorongo Station and the rest of it is on DOC managed land, and DOC only allow access on certain weekends to Hut owners up the Orongorongo valley. Your contact at Orongorongo Station could probably full you in on the details, or contact DOC in wellington. Once the 4WD track finishes on the river bed it would probably be fairly slow going up the river as it is a braided river for several more miles, with fairly large stones, or small boulders depending on the way you want to look at it.

On the other hand I would probably be up for a bit of a recce ride on the 10th, couldn't make it the 24th as I have a friend over from Australia then.

Cheers

Paul

Yep lookin at where those other tracks originate, I reckon your comments re the DOC are prob spot on!

Marks said he was available for an early Jan day ride, so 10th might be a go for him too! Would be nice to get a little day group going! Lets see who else fancies 10th and then I'll call and check on Orongorongo availability for the day pretty sharpish!

Is it just me, or is it starting to look like we need one thread for organising the 2 day-er ("Southern Coast ADV ride" or some other name Marks? :msn-wink: ) and another thread for a day ride so it doesn't get confusing????

Great that there's lots of interest to get out there on both counts though!!!

[K slider]

I wiil be there ,I have a contact with keys for the gates at eastboure and terakeraie head who my be bribed.

the ride from Nahwi to white rock is easily done on tourences last month although the shingle was fun riding up.as you can see i ride bikes not teach spelling.

[Pedrostt500]

I'll be keen on this if it is in late Jan or Feb, will give me some time to sort out some bits for the DR.

[marks]

Marks said he was available for an early Jan day ride, so 10th might be a go for him too! Would be nice to get a little day group going! Lets see who else fancies 10th and then I'll call and check on Orongorongo availability for the day pretty sharpish!

Is it just me, or is it starting to look like we need one thread for organising the 2 day-er ("Southern Coast ADV ride" or some other name Marks? :msn-wink: ) and another thread for a day ride so it doesn't get confusing????

Great that there's lots of interest to get out there on both counts though!!!

Hell - I'm ready for a late Dec recce :yes: - I'd like to spend a whole day exploring this area.

Dave - let me know what works for you date wise and we'll organize a 1 day inspection tour for any interested parties.

I'll also post a new thread for the 2 dayer

cheers


Mark

[Paladin]

I wiil be there ,I have a contact with keys for the gates at eastboure and terakeraie head who my be bribed.




Ooooh the Eastbourne gate is just round the corner from me.... we need to talk!!!!! :shifty:

(:Offtopic: sorry all - just being selfish!)

[reofix]

I tried this track from the lake ferry end on the sunday after capital coast ...never got to any locked gates but the sand became too much on a big bike , I was by by myself and I bailed.... but this might be a chance to utilise the adventure crew for pushing duties!!! they are all sand lovers

[Paladin]

Hell - I'm ready for a late Dec recce :yes: - I'd like to spend a whole day exploring this area.

Dave - let me know what works for you date wise and we'll organize a 1 day inspection tour for any interested parties.

I'll also post a new thread for the 2 dayer

cheers

Mark

Mark I do so like your "get straight on with it" attitude - wicked mate! Will look forward to meeting you finally!

Well, from a selfish standpoint I know Sat Jan 10th & Sat 24th are days when I don't have any kiddie commitments and Paul posted he was interested in the 10th and you had previously said first half of Jan was clear for you, so shall we shoot for Jan 10th? Can you stand to wait that long?!!!

Likely my bike will still be on D605's at that point as I'll be skint after Christmas(!), so they'll be tragic on wet mud/clay if/when we get away from the coast track if the weather has been wet, but if that's the case I'll suck it up and just get on with it mate! :shutup:

Let me know and I'll contact the Station owners and at that time also check availability on the possible dates for the Southern Coast ADV with them too.

[marks]

Well, from a selfish standpoint I know Sat Jan 10th & Sat 24th are days when I don't have any kiddie commitments and Paul posted he was interested in the 10th and you had previously said first half of Jan was clear for you, so shall we shoot for Jan 10th? Can you stand to wait that long?!!!

Let me know and I'll contact the Station owners and at that time also check availability on the possible dates for the Southern Coast ADV with them too.

10th is fine with me :banana:

[Balrog]

Bummer, to early for me, not back until 13th

:crybaby:

[Paladin]

10th is fine with me :banana:

Cool, I'll do the checking with the Station owners then and report back!


Bummer, too early for me, not back until 13th

:crybaby:

Sorry Jim - have a feeling you could probably twist my arm to go back out there for a day on the 24th mate! ;)

[Aslan]

watching with interest - again #10/1 OK in principle - altho might be pushing it given I'll have only just done the Dusty Butt earlier in the week. :rolleyes:

[Paladin]

watching with interest - again #10/1 OK in principle - altho might be pushing it given I'll have only just done the Dusty Butt earlier in the week. :rolleyes:

Oh come on, you know you want to! ;)

[Aslan]

you're right Dave - I'll commit one way or the other after the DB - cheers S :wari:

[Paladin]

you're right Dave - I'll commit one way or the other after the DB - cheers S :wari:

Yeah just teasin mate, I know the DB1K is gonna be full on! :niceone:

[Paladin]

Hi Guys,

Spoke with owners daughter this morning. There's a chance that all three of the family members are going to be away on the 10th which would mean keys would not be available. Awaiting owners return from a trip to confirm.

Alternate date of 24th Jan IS available as a backup though she confirmed.

Will update as soon as I hear back.

[Balrog]

Hi Guys,

Spoke with owners daughter this morning. There's a chance that all three of the family members are going to be away on the 10th which would mean keys would not be available. Awaiting owners return from a trip to confirm.

Alternate date of 24th Jan IS available as a backup though she confirmed.

Will update as soon as I hear back.

owwww thats a shame :banana:
17 & 24 are fine with me ho ho :)

[Paladin]

owwww thats a shame :banana:
17 & 24 are fine with me ho ho :)

Yeah I thought you might be pleased! :bleh:

[K slider]

That looks good for me as long as I dont go down to Antarctica.

[Paladin]

Hi guys,

OK good news for ya!

Access is sorted for Saturday 10th January!

Cost for access is $15 per head - lets try and pay with notes so the guy doesn't have a sackful of shrapnel off us!

Meeting point is the BP servo in Wainuiomata, ready for a 9.30am departure from the servo.
(The BP is on the main road thru Wainuiomata towards the southern end of town. You need to go down to the roundabout and u-turn back into the servo.)
Alternate/backup meeting point for anyone running a tad late or no interest in getting fuel(!) is 10am at the Orongorongo Station - from Wainuiomata take the Coast Road (follow signs for Rimutaka Forest Park) south past the Rimutaka Forest Park to Turakirae Head. At Turakirae Head stay on the road until it turns into gravel, go across the bridge over the Orongorongo River and you'll be at the Station access gates 2 minutes after you have passed the Turakirae Head car park. Its approx 22-24kms from Wainui.

Basically this ride is going to be a reccie of the coastal 4wd track heading east through the Station land, out onto Ocean Beach and then possibly a run round to Lake Ferry(time/fuel/weather allowing!) and then return same route, to check things out ready for the Southern Coast ADV ride (which is tentatively set for Feb 14th/15th).

The plan is to do the ride unless the weather is forecasted really attrocious, so that we can report back for planning of the Southern Coast ADV ride well in advance of that ride!

OK, so who's coming on Saturday?

[marks]

ok, so who's coming on saturday?

I is

............

[Paladin]

I is

............

Cool! After last weekends Odlins Rd no-go will be keeping fingers crossed we will finally get to meet on Saturday! :msn-wink:

[Howie]

Sounds good I should be able to make it. see you all at BP wainui.

[andy mac]

I'm keen to try the Transalp off road. Last week we went to Riversdale via the Admirals Range & Kaiwhata roads. CU at the BP Wainui.

[pete376403]

Will try and make it too.

[Paladin]

Great stuff - look forward to meeting you all!

[pampa]

Great stuff - look forward to meeting you all!

Hi Dave,

I'd be keen on going but after my south Island trip chain and sprockets are worn out and won't have a replacement before 10/01. So may be next time have a nice ride.

Cheers,
Pampa

[junkmanjoe]

hi from what ive been told, theres only one aera, on the coast that has a large lose shingle slide, that care would need to be taken.there are a lot of old paper roads over here in the wairarapa, which would make some very good loop riding. im freinds with a few town councl members,
and working on getting copys of old maps.
lots of these roads cross over farm land now.im also looking in to a nasty old track, which runs from the nagwi coast up in the hills of the haurangi forest park and pops out back of ruakokoputuna road, which is out back of martinbrough, key is needed and can be gained from local 4x4 club which my brother is a member of.
plenty to do over here.

[marks]

hi from what ive been told, theres only one aera, on the coast that has a large lose shingle slide, that care would need to be taken.

you weren't freaking joking

that was NASTY NASTY NASTY

bikes going tits up left right and centre

What an awesome day despite(and perhaps because of) the carnage and rain

I'll post a some photos and stuff once I recover

Thanks Dave for organizing it all.

[Howie]

Thanks Dave for organising a great ride and the access through Orongorongo station. It was an enjoyable ride with great people. Attached pics are hopefully in order.

Pic 1. Waiting at BP Wainui, looked like it was going to be a Kawasaki ride untill Andy Mac turned up just as we were getting ready to leave.

Pic 2. Stop to pay for Access to atation land.

pic 3. On our way, great track

pic 4. A bit closer
pic 5. Peter enjoying the scenery.

[pete376403]

hi from what ive been told, theres only one aera, on the coast that has a large lose shingle slide, that care would need to be taken..

Large? LARGE? It's big enough to have its own postcode.

(and, not quite enough care was taken and it jumped up and bit me. Several times)

Pic is us regrouping after said slide. That's it in the background.

[Howie]

The track got a bit rougher though.

Pic 6. Onto the major slip.

Pic 7. On the Slip.

Pic 8. yep the gravel is loose

Pic 9. Regroup in the middle of the slip.

pic 10. yep that is the track.

[Paladin]

Mark, Paul, Pete & Andy; great to meet you guys today!

What an adventure the ride was across Orongorongo Station thru to Ocean Beach - challenging to say the least, but GREAT fun! A fun group today out riding thru amazing scenery (as was the scenery at Toppy's! :innocent: ).

Junkmanjoe's description of the slide as "shingle" sure was an understatement! :shit: I didn't see any rocks THAT small! :blink: Plus there were the other wash gulllies that were well rocky too!

I think we had a bit of everything terrain wise today! :rockon:

Will definitely look forward to going back there - now the question is just whether the BIG bikes should go there on the Southern Coast ADV Ride???? It IS pretty damn gnarly!!!

Thanks to everyone who took photos and sorry my battery died after only one pic!

I think this one is starting up the side of the first major slide to then traverse across the top.

[Howie]

More pics

Pic 11. another regroup.

Pic 12. Another view of stop.

Pic 14. Marks in Action.

Pic 15. Marks again.

Pic 16. Andy Mac in Action.

Pic 17. Peter in action.

[Howie]

and still more pics.

Pic 18. Traversing the second bit.

Pic 19. yep they are on the track.

Pic 20. Dave in Action.

Pic 21. The fence.

Pic 22 going through the broken Fence.

Pic 23. Another rest stop, something was found to be missing at this one.:2thumbsup

[Paladin]

FAB pics Paul - thx for taking SO many! I think you have shown the "gnarlyness" of the ride very well!

RE: Pic No 23:- Ok I'll put my hand up - it was me - hadn't secured my bag containing my tubes/levers/tools securely enough and it came off the bike! :doh:

Andy had a play on my KLX to go look for it with no joy, then we all backtracked to the downed fence (at the locked gate) in these photos and then I hotfooted it back thru the sand area to the final uphill rocky section where I found it - it had bounced off after hitting one of the dips in the track! Thx guys for hanging out on a time out while I went hunting!

[junkmanjoe]

will have to say im a little pissed that i missed the ride.
and yip thats the slide i was talking about.
did you come right through to wharekauhau station.
looks like you had a good day.

[Paladin]

will have to say im a little pissed that i missed the ride.
and yip thats the slide i was talking about.
did you come right through to wharekauhau station.
looks like you had a good day.

Yep we went from Wainuiomata to Orongorongo Station and then all the way round the coast to Wharekauhau/Ocean Beach and then across on the road up the east side of Lake Wairarapa to Martinborough! The coast 4wd track was actually longer than I thought it would be just looking at the map - wicked fun it was too! :niceone:

Hopefully we'll see you on a ride in the not too distant future mate!

[Howie]

The last few Pictures, although there was plenty more scenery that would have been worth a photo, we pushed on around the coast and off to Martinbrough for a well deserved Feed and drink, and chat about possible routes to ride on the upcoming Wellington Weekend ride.

Pic 24. Back on the seal.

Pic 25. On the Western Lake road.

Pic 26. Marks coming to a stop.

Pic 27. A well deserved feed and Coffee in Martinbrough.

[junkmanjoe]

if you chaps are interested in a good trip round country roads over here.
happy to accomadate you and your freinds, have a tidy loop trip aprox 160kms good for all bikes.

we are going for a last trip on xr tomorrow, my self and a bmw 650.

[Howie]

FAB pics Paul - thx for taking SO many! I think you have shown the "gnarlyness" of the ride very well!

RE: Pic No 23:- Ok I'll put my hand up - it was me - hadn't secured my bag containing my tubes/levers/tools securely enough and it came off the bike! :doh:

Andy had a play on my KLX to go look for it with no joy, then we all backtracked to the downed fence (at the locked gate) in these photos and then I hotfooted it back thru the sand area to the final uphill rocky section where I found it - it had bounced off after hitting one of the dips in the track! Thx guys for hanging out on a time out while I went hunting!

Thanks Paladin, it was great to have a rest and snap a few pics. No worries about going back / waiting, it was great to relax and enjoy the peacefull scenery for a while, it wasn't to hot or cold in fact it was a great day to be riding around the coast as it wasn't that windy.

If any of you want full size copies of the pictures let me know which numbers and I can email them to you if you pm me an email address.

Cheers Paul.

[marks]

posted some photos here (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8784286#post8784286)

[Paladin]

posted some photos here (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8784286#post8784286)

Nice pics Mark, cheers! Great day yesterday & good to meet you finally! Hope you're not too tired out on your trail ride today! :msn-wink:

[andy mac]

Great ride & nice to meet you guys. Good photos too. On the way home I stopped to watch the jetsprints at the Tauherenikau racecourse. Saw a few boats spin out onto land :woohoo:
I'm keen for some more rides but need to work around the yachting calendar. Next weekend we race to Nelson weather permitting.

[crfchick]

Hey there!
Sounds like you guys had a fantastic time out there (bet it seems a distant memory now!). Did you guys explore the Orongorongo Station very much? And what do you think it would be like for dirt bikes (not adventure bikes sorry!!)
And if someone could tell me how to get in touch with the owners of Orongorongo station regarding access (you can PM me if you want?), that would be fabulous! Thanks!!

[QUOTE=Paladin;1857745]Hi Guys,

I know I am not the only one that has recently lamented the fact that you can't get from Turakirae Head (south of Wainuiomata) on the coast 4wd track to Ocean Beach (south of Featherston) due to the locked gate(at either end!) on the private land of Orongorongo Station. Today I managed to speak on the telephone with one of the owners about access on/through Orongorongo Station with a positive outcome
So here's the skinny.......

They have done, and are still happy to give access to organised groups on to Orongorongo Station, by prior arrangement/booking with themselves.
They charge a small access fee that would work out to be around $10-15 per person.

They only allow one organised group out there at a time so it's first come first served re bookings!

Apparently they are happy for us to access any of the 4wd tracks on the station and not be limited to just the coast track! I thought that sounded exciting! He reckons there's plenty of trails out there! Obviously care and attention re livestock etc etc expected.

[junkmanjoe]

i dont think they be to keen for a group off dirt bikes ripping up there land.

one of our riders a while back shifted a bit of dirt in front of one of the land owners, he wasnt to impresed...:bash:

[crfchick]

i dont think they be to keen for a group off dirt bikes ripping up there land.

one of our riders a while back shifted a bit of dirt in front of one of the land owners, he wasnt to impresed...:bash:
Hmmm yeah you are probably right, I hadnt thought about that!
Dreams are free huh?
Thanks!!