Aquatramp

Since 1981, a group of 4-5 of us keen outdoor lovers have got together each year for our annual tramp together. 34 years in total so far - and two of the group have participated in every one. an admiral record. I've missed a few due to being overseas or health. This year, after a few years of cajoling by Richard, we finally accepted his offer of an aquatramp - fly up to Auckland and spend a week of island hopping around the Hauraki Gulf on his yacht - a 47 foot Bavaria.

Captain Richard at the helm

Three of us flew up to Auckland at the beginning of March this year, were met by Richard at the airport, whisked away to the local supermarket for supplies, then on down to the boat at Westhaven Marina to carefully store everything away. At 3pm we were gliding down the Waitemata Harbour and away from the city. What a magnificent vista!

"So where are we heading for today Richard?" we three novice sailors bleated. "Great Barrier Island" came the reply from Captain Richard. "But we won't arrive until well after dark. You will love the view when you wake up in the morning".

As dusk approached - and the island slowly loomed larger - so too did the wind - upwards of 40 knots at times, with a flowing sea and waves that looked menacing large to us novice sailors.

Alas, just on dusk, us three novices started speaking sternly into the bottom of Richard's blue bucket - some of us more sternly than others!! Richard's crew of four were effectively now down to one - himself. Being the careful prudent sailor that he is, he erred on the side of caution and turned about within a few hundred metres of the small islands off Great Barrier, but not before damaging a little equipment in the process. We finally slipped into Mansion house Bay on Kawau Island at 4 am. Richard had been at the helm for 13 hours without a break. The four of us were finally able to crawl into our sleeping bags and put the wretched blue bucket away! Not the best of starts to our aquatramp.

Day One - leaving the mainland behind

Thankfully the remaining days were calmer - so calm some days that we were reduced to motor sailing. We trekked around Kawau Island, then headed back to Great Barrier Island, passing close by Little Barrier Island en route - an island that it is prohibited to land on without permission.

Little Barrier Island later in the trip

Entering Great Barrier Island's Fitzroy Harbour via the 'Man o' War' passage was a great experience and entry into another world. Here we spent three nights. We did tramp! We rowed ashore and climbed up to the top of Mt Hobson (~620 metres) - a mountain I have more respect for now. I was anticipating a 'hands in pocket' wander for half an hour. But no - it took three and a half hours of mostly uphill, much of which was wooden steps to protect the petrol bird nesting sites - not a natural process at all and a good workout for calves, hamstrings, and quads!!

 Panorama from summit of Mt Hobson towards Fitzroy Harbour - Little Barrier Island in the distance

Back on the boat, we ventured out to Mokohinau Islands - until now I'd never heard of them - even further out than Great Barrier. This time under motor as there was no wind at all - dead flat seas. What lovely islands. On the way back to Great Barrier, we were accompanied briefly by a small pod of dolphins.

The Mokohinau Islands

On returning to Great Barrier we discovered we were in good company - the 'Spirit of New Zealand' was anchored in Port Fitzroy. Next day we departed Great Barrier to head back to Auckland, via Waiheke Island - but not before visiting a gannet colony on a small island just outside the 'Man o' War' passage.

Waiheke Island

Spirit of New Zealand

Gannet Flypast

Waiheke Island

Auckland Waterfront

And so the aquatramp ended - as it began - gliding past the Auckland waterfront to our marina and the end of a wonderful eight day adventure. Hopefully this won't be the last such adventure. Thank you Richard - and Graeme and Peter.

Oh, and one last thing - my god, there's a lot of money up in Auckland - both on land and water!