Welcome to Auckland Tramping Club

Auckland Tramping Club runs a variety of tramping trips throughout the year. Additionally, members organise kayaking trips, winter snow trekking or skiing trips based at our hut on Ruapehu.

See the latest Trips programme, or review past Trip Reports.

Visitors and prospective members are welcome to attend club meetings and join trips. However, for trips please read the following important information.

Day Trips:

If it is your first trip with the club you should phone the Leader in advance so they can ensure the trip is suitable and you are correctly prepared for it.

Before phoning the Leader please take note of the following:

• Whilst trips are graded, New Zealand terrain can be challenging, and if you are new to tramping you should develop your fitness with some extended walks before a trip. For example, the 16 km, 5 hr Auckland Coast to Coast walkway (including climbing Mt Eden & One Tree Hill) will help you assess your fitness. Our day trips are normally about this distance/time, but be aware they will be much rougher underfoot.


• Please read Day Trip Information for required gear, basic safety rules, and general day trip information.


• You must advise the leader of any medical condition in case a problem arises during the trip.


• As with all outdoor activities there is associated risk. Your Safety is Your Responsibility. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct equipment and are fit and able to undertake the planned trip.
  Go to Adventure Smart to view a 7 minute video The Outdoor Safety Code – 5 Simple Rules. This is a must see video for both beginners and experienced trampers.


• See the Day Trip Programme for details of current Day Trips.

Weekend Trips:

Experienced trampers/hikers are welcome to join weekend trips.

• All participants (including members) must phone the leader to discuss the trip, outline recent experience, ensure you have the correct gear, are suitably prepared, and understand the booking requirements.


• Please read Weekend Trip Information for required gear, basic safety rules, general weekend trip information and booking procedures.


• Please take note of the points outlined above under Day Trips before phoning the Leader. Remember, Your Safety is your Responsibility.

Club Membership

Two activities with the club are required prior to joining. This is for the benefit of potential new members to see if they like ATC tramping and to see how the club operates. Of equal importance is for the club to ensure that the person has a basic understanding of requirements (both level of fitness and gear). As the club takes reasonable steps to minimise risk, the pre-membership trips give the opportunity to assist and support new trampers as required.

Benefits of Club Membership

• Enjoy tramping with an experienced group. Make new friends and have fun in the outdoors.


• Club membership includes membership to FMC (Federated Mountain Clubs) which in turn gives good discounts for a backcountry hut pass and major outdoor equipment retailers.


• The club bus, based in Sandringham opposite Eden Park, provides transport to track ends for most trips.


• Summer South Island trips offer the opportunity to explore some of New Zealand’s most beautiful back country.


• The club owns two huts. Memorial Hut on Mt Ruapehu (Top of the Bruce) is the perfect location for skiing, tramping, climbing, or just getting away from the city. Ngaro Te Kotare Hut, just 40 mins from Auckland City, is a great base for tramping or going bush for a weekend in the Waitakere Ranges.


• The club annually runs a Snow craft course and subsidises potential leaders on Mountain Safety bush craft, first aid, river crossing and navigation courses.


• Members benefit from Gear hire and instructional courses.

Feel free to contact Graeme McGowan for more information, or see more Contact options.

Next Club Social Night: Thursday 17 May

It's 320 km long, starts at 4500 ft and ends on top of the highest mountain in the continental USA at 14,500 ft. Throw in half-a-dozen passes between 11,000 and 13,500 ft, top it off with bears and unbelievable vistas and you have the John Muir Trail (JMT). Lee and Rob McKay hiked this famous trail in August last year. See and hear about their 18-day adventure (getting there was an adventure in itself!) at club night.

Club Activities & Facilities

Tramping

Day trips are run to a bush area within about 100km of Auckland every Sunday, often in the Waitakere or Hunua Ranges, but also further afield in the Kaimai or Coromandel Ranges and the Waikato District. Day trips are also run on the second and fourth Wednesdays of most months and on some Saturdays.

At least once a month weekend trips leave for more distant areas such as Tongariro National Park and the Kaimanawa, Kaweka, Urewera or Coromandel Ranges. These trips typically leave Auckland on Friday evening and return on Sunday evening.

Over the summer period, extended trips to the South Island are arranged.

Tramping trips are graded from easy to fit so that all levels of fitness and experience are catered for.

Weekend and extended trips must be booked and paid for in advance, but there is no need to book for day trips.

From time to time, the club runs courses on various aspects of bushcraft and mountain safety.

Skiing & Memorial Hut

Memorial Hut, the club's lodge at the Top of the Bruce on Mt Ruapehu is only minutes from the on Whakapapa skifield chairlifts, and offers excellent facilities at reasonable rates. Regular club trips are organised, and both members and non-members may book the lodge for private trips with family and friends.

Find out more about staying at Memorial Hut here.

Alpine Activities

Club members with alpine experience offer snowcraft training and lead more adventurous winter alpine expeditions in Tongariro National Park.

If you are interested in learning more about alpine tramping, see Instruction for more details about the Snowcraft course we offer.

Club Bus

The club owns and operates a modern bus "Big Blue" capable of carrying 39 people and converting to a sleeper.

Find out more about club transport here, including pick-up point details and maps.

Club Magazine

Club Magazine - the "Wanderlust" is published monthly and contains club news, trip details and social notes.

Waitakere Ranges Hut

The club's Ngaro Te Kotare Hut in the Waitakere Ranges is available to members and non-members alike.

Find out more about staying at Ngaro Te Kotare Hut here.