Freshers 2026

On a warm summer day 110-ish people set out on a winding track towards Totara Flats, it was a day of blissfully warm water, and a cool dry breeze that makes one feel truly content. It was the best weather I have personally experienced on a Freshers Trip.

But I must set the scene, its March, the academic year has just begun, and the Vic Tramping Club has just gotten back into the groove after a hectic summer. So, what must we do – we must run freshers! After Robyn and I’s planning had finally come to a head and had booked the buses, herded all the punters and sorted out all the gear.

We set out in three cars and two coach buses towards Waiohine Campsite, with a stop to use the loo and then we finally arrived at a late hour. A mass of punters departed from the bus and made their way to the first campsite. Waiohine Campsite, we had to walk for 40 minutes as the road is too narrow and shitty for the buses to travel down. We set up our fly’s and dragonfly’s with only a couple accidental explosions. After that we cooked a dinner of beans and wraps (I think?). After that we had a shindig in which cheap scrumpy and box wine was drunk in sustainable amounts. But after this we tucked ourselves into bed and let the night pass us by.

Come the Saturday morning and a keen century of punters roused themselves and broke camp ready to set out for Totara Flats. On the trek there way we experienced some truly amazing weather, so good that one group of punters split off and found a spot on the Makaka Creek to swim and enjoy the good weather and water.

The rest of the punters trundled past Sayer Hut and finally arrived at our set campsite. Much faff ensued while we tried to ascertain who would dig the poo hole. Eventually myself, Ira, and Max all shared the load, it was a grim task.

Once that was out of the way we set up our camp and got everything set up to enjoy the rest of the night. After that had been completed we all decided that although there were things to be done, we could better spend our time frolicking in the river, featuring: backflips, inflatable unicorns, eels, sunburn, and great vibes.

After we had made merry in the beautiful march sun, we created a conga line to ferry wood from one side of the river to the other so we could get a bonfire going. We had one incredibly blunt axe and a dream – we made it work.

We had a mighty fine night; much goon was drunk, and some drank too much – but it should be said that no goon was left behind.

It was a beautiful night to be out under an ocean of stars. I can still close my eyes and picture the glistening luminous beams of light from celestial bodies millions of light-years away; it was a dazzling show of beauty. Many lay in pods watching the stars for as long as they could.

While some tried to sleep, but throughout the night the wind worsened and worsened to the point that one of the fly-sheets ripped in along one of the guidelines – it’s not a freshers without some shit weather. Thankfully that wasn’t my tent, I was sleeping well.

Come Sunday we all rose slowly. Most of us some level of hung-over. Thankfully no one lost their boots during the festivities. Slowly we got the camp broke down, had breakfast, and set off. Finlay and I followed up at the rear, while mulling around Finlay stumbled upon last year’s shovel that had been left behind. After unearthing this artefact, we finally headed off. Following the Totara Creek track up around past Totara Hut, then up towards the Gentle Anne Track passing the rocky lookout to end at Holdsworth Campsite where we were greeted by snags cooked up by Patrick, Arlen, and couple other volunteers. It was a godsend.