Walking New Zealand June 2023

Walk talk Scenic Hotel Punakaiki joined the Scenic Hotel Group last week. Located 45km north of Greymouth, the 63room four-star hotel is positioned on the beach and expands into the native nikau grove above. Punakaiki draws in a 450,000 visitors annually, with the Paparoa Track and Pancake Rocks having a high profile in domestic and international markets. The Paparoa Track is New Zealand's 10th Great Walk. It travels through the limestone landscapes and forests of Paparoa National Park, custom-built 56.2km for both mountain biking (two days one way) and hiking (three days one way). The pancake rock and blowholes in Punakaiki are the most visited natural attraction on the West Coast. www.scenichotelgroup.co.nz/punakaiki/scenic-hotelpunakaiki/…

Wilderness, natural wonders and wildlife reserves may not be the first things clients think of when considering a trip to Hong Kong. However repeat visitors or those with a little more time who like to explore beyond metropolitan boundaries, Hong Kong has lush forests and mountain ranges to explore. Many of the hiking routes are suitable for beginners and families, including a three hour trail through Lau Shui Heung and Hok Tau Reservoirs. Situated in Pat Sin Leng Country Park, the popular walk takes people through the Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve and Sho Lo Tung, home to rare species of dragonflies and damselflies. The Lau Shui Heung Reservoir is also known as ‘Mirror of the Sky’, with the water perfectly reflecting the woods and skies above on a clear day.…

Wander on Kangaroo Island has four ‘wander pods’ on the north coast of Kangaroo Island, overlooking Snelling Beach and providing a getaway option for visitors in South Australia. Eco – friendly mod cons include solar air conditioning, a rain shower and composting toilet to suit the sustainable traveller who wants to tread lightly but still have premium touches – a coffee machine, wifi, Cultiver linen and bath salts containing native botanicals. With a fully-spected kitchen, clients can cook up a feast using a Tasts of the Island pantry box from Gastronomo Dining with local, seasonal produce and chef-prepared recipes. Otherwise they can dine at Gastronomo's outdoor Enchanted Fig Tree restaurant nearby. Guests can access immersive experiences – spot koalas and kangaroos on a guided hike, spy sea lions and dolphins…

The historic Old Post Office holiday home in the heart of the Ruapehu District is now boutique accommodation and is a base from which to experience hiking and cycle trails in and around Tongariro National Park, along with the rail-cart Forgotten Highway, the Whanganui River, and the Bridge to Nowhere – plus world-class trout fly fishing and Whakapapa ski-field. Owners Mark and Kathy Fray point out that the nonhosted century-old accommodation is especially suited to self-drive FITs and small groups wanting a heritage-rich experience. www.TheOldPostOfficeLodge.co.nz…

Walk talk Timber Trail Lodge, at the halfway point on the 85km Timber Trail, offers packages that include shuttles, accommodation, all meals and bag transfers. Bike or e-bike hire is also available. Opened in 2017, the off-grid lodge sits on the edge of native podocarp forest and was built to ensure minimal impact on the environment and low resource use. It sleeps 50 in a mix of double/twin and triple rooms with one wing offering ensuite bathrooms and the other, shared bathroom facilities. Packages are fully catered with breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal which is served family-style. Special activities can be arranged, such as wine tasting, yoga sessions, cooking demonstrations and conservation talks. Operations manager, Russell Malone says the lodge also lends itself to small groups. The lodge can…

My Favourite Walk We discussed how to spend New Year's Day within our family members. As a result, we came up with the idea of going for a walk around Lake Wainamu. We had been to Te Hanga (Bethel Beach) a number of times but not to Lake Wainamu. So, we arranged our usual gear needed for walking and set out at 11 am for Te Hanga area on New Year's Day. It was a sunny, clear, and warm day (23°C). Completing our other responsibilities, we reached the car park for Lake Wainamu on Bethels Road by 2 pm. There is an information board that shows the map of the area. There were many cars parked around there. We took our pack with a bottle of water and set out…