🥾 (M) New Whangaehu Bridge Hike (Semi-Local Hike)

New Whangaehu Bridge Hike

📅 Date: Saturday 8th August 2026
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM
📍 Meeting Location: Church On Ingestre Car Park
📊 Difficulty: 🟡 Moderate
🙋‍♂️ Leaders: Sue & Willem
🚗 Cost: $5 (if carpooling with us; see below for full transport info)
🐾 Dogs Allowed: Yes (Must provide own transport)

Description / Info:

A beautiful 15 km hike that takes us through the forest and into the Whitiau Scientific Reserve on the north side of the river. This nationally significant reserve features rare coastal dune plains and wetlands. We'll explore the reserve and check out the construction progress of the new Te Araroa swing bridge site (note: the bridge itself won't be open yet) before pushing onward to the river mouth!

⚠️ Registration is mandatory to secure group transport and join the walk. Please register via email or leave a comment on this Facebook event to arrange.

Please note: This walk only has a single distance (15 km). There are no shorter or easier options for this event.

Transport & Cost Details:

• Carpooling with us: $5 passenger cost-share (covers fuel, vehicle wear-and-tear, and a contribution to our safety gear fund).
• Gold Coin ($2) for Under 16s
• Self-Driving: If you are taking your own car, we warmly invite a voluntary Gold Coin ($2) donation toward the group's safety gear fund. (Note: This is entirely optional; everyone is welcome on the hike regardless of donation).

Our group is strictly non-profit; all voluntary funds collected go directly toward shared vehicle running costs and maintaining our group safety equipment (PLB, walkie-talkies, and first aid kits).

Transport Policy:

We use private vehicles for transport and encourage carpooling to reduce vehicle numbers at locations with limited parking. Event organisers select the vehicles and drivers before each event. If you would like to offer your vehicle, please email the organiser as soon as possible to let them know it is available. We prefer our drivers to have attended a few of our events previously and to have held a full NZ driver's licence for at least two years. The passenger contribution covers shared vehicle trip costs.

⚠️ Safety Disclaimer & Group Status
The Whanganui Walking Group is an unincorporated society run entirely by volunteers; we operate simply as a group of friends who go walking together. By joining these events, you acknowledge that the primary duty of care for your safety and well-being falls entirely on you as an individual.
You are responsible for ensuring you have the appropriate clothing, equipment, and the required fitness to complete the route. While our volunteer organisers and leaders will do their absolute best to coordinate a safe and enjoyable trip, they are not professional guides and do not carry a professional duty of care for participants. Everyone joins at their own risk.

--
👥 Whanganui Walking Group (River City Walking Group)
🌐 Website: whanganuiwalking.org
📱 Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhanganuiWalking
📞 Contact: Willem Doodeman-Beamsley (027 899 2458)