The current Waikato Uni Tramping Club was formed in Trimester B of 2020 following the initial COVID-19 lockdowns, as siblings Sinead and Brendan realised their desire to meet new people while exploring more of the great outdoors. We gathered a group of keen trampers together to form a committee, and began planning hikes around the Waikato and beyond.
Since then, the club has grown substantially, amassing over 300 members on our Facebook group over the past year and a half. In 2021, we ran 20 successful tramps through the NZ bush. Highlights included our trip to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the Coromandel camping trip at Fletcher Bay, and our first ever costume tramp up the Ruapane Track.
We were also awarded the WSU Hobbie/Interest Club of the Year for 2021!
As a club, we aim to give members the opportunity to experience and hike through the wonderful nature that NZ has to offer, while having the chance to meet other like minded, nature-loving individuals. Occasionally, you’ll also be treated to delicious home-baked treats and one (or more) of Josh’s famous mini geology lectures!
We are very lucky to have a committee full of experienced trampers who love getting out into nature and enjoy having the chance to share these outings with others. Our committee members help us host fortnightly trips, catering to a range of fitness levels. No matter what your previous tramping experience may be, we will have a trip for everyone! Throughout the year, we plan regular day trips or varying length and difficulty. Over long weekends and semester breaks, we also organise longer overnight and multi-day trips.
In 2022, our club has some exciting plans that we hope to bring to fruition, including a trip to Te Paki Coastal Track (which was cancelled multiple times last year due to feral dogs and lockdown restrictions), a South Island excursion, and improvements to the social aspects of the club (which will likely take the form of more pub visits and ice cream stops!).
If you’re interested in joining our club, check out our Facebook, @WaikatoUniTrampingClub, where you can find out more about our club, as well as information about upcoming trips. Whether you’re new to hiking, or an experienced tramper – we hope to see you out there!
Upcoming Events:
13th March: Orokawa Scenic Reserve – Waihi Beach to Homunga Bay
19th March: Special Scavenger Hunt Event from Parana Park to Hamilton Gardens
2nd-3rd March: Easy overnighter for beginners (Track TBC)
18th-23rd March: Te Paki Coastal Track
