Taking in Dunedin sights en masse

Sights to see . . . The Town Belt Traverse route will go past the cable car museum in Mornington Park. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

TOWN BELT TRAVERSE 2019 - 28 April 2019
It’s time to get your walking shoes on again and explore one of Dunedin’s great natural and historical landscapes.
The Town Belt Traverse is 8.2km long, from the Southern Cemetery to Woodhaugh Gardens, taking in the heart of the Dunedin Town Belt . . . and it’s absolutely free!
The event is a pramfriendly (three-wheel buggies with some help) route for people of all ages, stopping off at five points along the way. Participants will receive a map and ticket at the car park inside the Southern Cemetery. The traverse starts at any time between 10am and 11am and all participants must complete the traverse by 1.30pm. Collect a stamp at all five marshal points and you can be eligible for some great local prizes drawn at the finish. You must there for the draw to collect your prize.
The route is marked and there will be marshals at roadcrossing points along the way. Register on the day at the start of the walk. You can bring your dog, provided it is on a lead and you carry bags to collect their doings. Water will be available at various points along the way for them to drink. The society is grateful to local businesses and supporters who have provided prizes, sponsorship and advertising.

THE TOWN BELT
The Dunedin Town Belt is one of New Zealand’s oldest reserves and plays a special part in the physical and historic landscape of Dunedin. It has a rich history that dates back to the planning of Dunedin, before settlers arrived here in 1848. The Town Belt covers 203ha and includes the two historic cemeteries and the Botanic Garden. With its extensive parkland and forest remnants, it creates a green corridor through the heart of the city and provides an invaluable habitat for many native bird species.

WILD DUNEDIN ‘MAKING A CHANGE EXPO’
The Amenities Society is very proud to be partnering the Wild Dunedin Festival this year. It is an exciting opportunity to be part of a bigger festival that promotes the unique biodiversity of the city. The traverse is also an opportunity for people to see conservation and community in action at the ‘‘Making a Change Expo’’ being held at the end of the traverse in Woodhaugh Gardens.
There will be plenty of interesting organisations and activities for people to see and learn about. Wild Dunedin is an annual festival celebrating our city’s wild places and creatures and the people who champion them. It features 70 fun events to better understand our natural world over a week from Easter Monday to Sunday, April 28. The Town Belt Traverse is a highlight, a great example of how the festival works with local nature-loving groups to bring you a huge range of activities in the April school holidays.

TRAVERSE HIGHLIGHTS
This year the society is really excited to have a route change that will see walkers visit the cable car museum at Mornington Park. Its beautifullyrestored cable cars are a real link to yesteryear. There will be 10 interpretation signs on various points of the traverse to give more information about the different areas of the Town Belt.
Highlights are as follows: ★ The outstanding views from Admiral Byrd’s lookout at Unity Park. ★ Walking over Toitu stream at Serpentine Ave. ★ Walking through Jubilee Park (Thomlinson’s Paddock), the site of the foundation of the Amenities Society and a temporary camp for miners ontheir way to the goldfields ★ Visiting the old tramline running through Robin Hood Park from City Rd ★ Talking with astronomers from the Beverly Begg Observatory ★ Learning about the reserve’s military history and the site of the ‘‘lunatic’’ asylum ★ Enjoying the bird life around the native forest areas from Queens Dr to Cosy Dell ★ Visiting ‘‘The Clear’’ at Prospect Park, where Charles Brasch wrote about the Town Belt ★ Taking the historic bullock track down to Woodhaugh and walking through the remnant kahikatea wetland forest ★ Bring your lunch at the old wetland forest remnant at Woodhaugh. The Amenities Society is providing free tea, coffee and a barbecue sausage to all walkers.

WHAT TO BRING:
★ Comfortable walking shoes ★ A warm jacket (you won’t need it because it’ll be warm and sunny!) ★ A drink and a snack for energy (we have a chocolate bar to get you started) ★ Your camera ★ Your inquisitive nature ★ Your friends and family (dogs on leads, thanks).

TRANSPORT
Parking can found at the starting point around the Oval. You can return to your vehicle using the Normanby-St Clair bus that leaves opposite the George St entrance to Woodhaugh. The Otago Heritage Bus Society will also take walkers and their dogs back to the start for a gold coin donation. We have a selection of great prizes from venues around the city. Take this opportunity to visit the Town Belt, get fresh air and exercise and enjoy this wonderful part of our city.