Walk 7 - Pests, Platters and Pinot Gris at Omata Estate *NEW

Bay of Islands Walking Weekend

Friday October 11th , Saturday 12th October

Walk 7 – Pests, Platters and Pinot Gris at Omata Estate 4km

This is not an easy walk. The grading of hard to very hard reflects that this is not a walking track – it is instead a trapping line.

Although only around 4 km, the walk will take around 4 hours. Be prepared to walk on all fours (both arms and legs). You must be well-balanced and steady on your fit to take part in this walk.

This incredibly magical walk takes place in an Eco Sanctuary. Guides from Predator Free Russell will walk you through a couple of trap lines, before finishing for Platters and wine at Omata Estate.

You will need to watch your step many times. There are hundreds of seedlings from the mature kahikatea. There are numerous self-seeded plants due to the successful eradication of pests over a number of years.

You will be rewarded by seeing mature trees such as tanekaha, pukatea, kahikatea, and puriri. Evidence of kiwis residing in the sanctuary is obvious. Other birds you are more likely to see or hear include kukupa (kereru), miromiro (tomtit), ruru (morepork), piwakawaka (fantails), mātātā (fernbirds). riroriro (grey warbler) and tauhou (silvereye).

The walk finishes at Omata Estate, a boutique vineyard situated in a stunning location on a sheltered hilltop with wonderful views across the wines to the Bay. Their lovely wooden restaurant, brick paths, terraced and sunny garden are reminiscent of an old French vineyard, which creates a perfect atmosphere to sit back, relax and enjoy a glass of wine with a gourmet platter

Friday 11th October

Assemble 1.00 pm

Start 1.45 pm

Return 7.45 pm

Name of Walk: Pests, Platters and Pinot Gris

Duration 4 hours walking, up to 2 hours lunching

Distance Less than 4 km

Grade – hard to very hard

Cost: $70 includes a guided walk, wood fired pizza, wine tasting (18+ only) and transport to start and back to the vineyard

Maximum number 15

Saturday 12th October

Assemble time: 8.00 am

Start: 8.30 am

Return to HQ: 3 pm

Name of Walk: Pests, Platters and Pinot Gris

Duration 4 hours walking, up to 2 hours lunching

Distance Less than 4 km

Grade – hard to very hard

Cost: $70 includes a guided walk, platter, wine tasting (18+ only) and transport to start and back to the vineyard

Maximum number 15

Notes:

1. Please check what is included and the time and length of your walk so you know what you need to bring in terms of food and water. It’s always a good idea to have a card or cash on you as you never know what you might encounter along the way.

2. The Russell Bowling Club is our Walking Weekend HQ, all walks start from there.

Our guides are all passionate and knowledgeable about the Bay of Islands area and bring something special to the walking experience. Each walk has no more than 20 people. Our HQ is the Russell Bowling Club where people can meet, chat about their day and have something to eat and drink.

Russell is a fantastic base for the weekend with lots of great restaurants, places to stay and for the non-walkers out there. We are very excited about this weekend and the great walking experiences there are here in the Bay of Islands. Time to get your walking boots out of the cupboard and join us in the Bay of Islands.

Visit our website to see all the walks you can do.

Dietary Requirements: Organisers will contact ticketholders closer to event day to confirm any dietary requirements.