Trip Report - Waimate and environs- 9th October 2022
Trip to Waimate Sunday 9th October led by Graham and Anne Herbert.
Seven vehicles met up at the industrial area to head to Waimate. We stopped on the main street of Waimate and met up with two more vehicles.
Then we drove up the winding gravel road to the White Horse lookout for morning tea.
What an incredible spot. So much work has been done to develop the area. Picnic tables and seats, info boards detailing some of Waimate's history. Pathways, car park, toilets, and landscaping, and three viewing platforms to take in the amazing views of the landscape, mountain, ocean and Wainono Lagoon.
We then left and drove to Mt Studholme. It was a winding bumpy gravel road up the mountain. There were patches of snow up there. Mt Studholme is 1087m above sea level so despite the chilly wind we enjoyed great views of the land, coast and mountains.
After we headed back down the mountain we went to Bushtown for lunch. Once we finished lunch we explored Bushtown which shows the life of the early settlers and Bushmen in the Waimate area. There were little buildings that showed what the homes and huts were like, a working vintage sawmill, a miniature train Railtrack, giant Redwood and Macrocarpa tree trunks and in a shelter there was three paintings of three early pioneer women that had been painted by Bill Scott who put the murals on the silos.
The commitee members of Bushtown were there to tell us about the project. They were very knowledgeable and passionate about their work and had some good stories to tell.
With the beautiful sunny weather, we all had a great day out.
Thank you Graham and Anne.
Trip report by Michelle & Greg McFarlane.
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