Hoon Hay Arboretum Traditional Cache
Mike&Cathy: This walking track has been recently realigned so the Cache is now not easily accessible. Will attempt to retrieve it when next in the area, but most likely will need to archive this.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A stroll up a popular track with great views. It is approx 30 minutes walk to the Cache from suggested Car Park, although we would recommend the walk up to the Summit Road and back ( approx 2.5 hours )
Terrain is rated 3, it is a 4-wheel drive track, uphill but not steep - the slopes are gentle.
Very suitable for Mountain Bikes !
This used to be one of the most unpleasant walks in Canterbury, due to a lack of shelter and a panorama of gorse and broom.
However the area is in the process of being returned to native bush. Grazing was stopped in 1996, most of the gorse was removed, and Pine Trees were planted. The trees will be harvested in 2026, but in the meantime they have grown to over 5 meters tall, and give welcome shelter from the nasty easterlies.
There are great views of the Southern Alps, and higher up the track you get a panorama all the way from Kaikoura to Lake Ellesmere.
There are Information Boards on the track at :
S 43 36.785 E 172 36.578 ( 279M, close to the Cache ), and at
S 43 37.285 E 172 37.194 ( 424 M, closer to the Summit Road )
This Cache can be approached from top or bottom, it is approx 30 minutes walk either way.
Suggested Car-Park ( closest ): S 43 36.101 E 172 35.390
Or you can park on the Summit Road at S 43 37.414 E 172 37.374
If you are feeling energetic, you could combine this with Caches at the nearby Halswell Quarry !
The Cache is a 680ml Systema Snaplock, and when placed it contained pencil, sharpener, logbook, Pokemon Sticker, GlowStick, candle, protractor, Koala Clip, Picture Frame and an Instant Kiwi Ticket ( unscratched ! - let me know if you are a winner ! )
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
1. 10Z R fvqr bs genpx
2. Tebhc bs ynetr ebpxf
3. Ybbx sbe n qvfgvpgvir fueho orgjrra 2 ynetr ebpxf.
4. Haqre fznyyre ebpxf