Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2023 i Walking New Zealand

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/…

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…

New Zealand Walks Lake Hood is a stunning recreational area located in Ashburton. This man-made lake was created in the late 1960s to provide a water resource for the Ashburton community, and has since become a popular spot for fishing, water sports, and leisurely walks. If you're interested in exploring the area on foot, you're in luck – there's a walking track that circles the entire lake, providing plenty of opportunities to take in the scenery and soak up the sunshine. Here we'll take a closer look at what you can expect when walking around Lake Hood. Before you begin your walk, it's important to note that Lake Hood is a private development, and there are a few rules you'll need to follow. Firstly, dogs are not permitted in the…

New Zealand Walks Once again, Waihi offered interesting and informative walks for the annual ECHO Walking Festival, held in the Bay each April. Echo, short for’ Enjoy connecting hills and oceans,’ includes walks from Katikati, Waihi, Whangamata, Paeroa and Thames. We chose to do two Waihi walks; one to Shipwreck Bay, and the other to explore the mining history at the northern end of Waihi Beach. On day one, we met the group at Whiritoa Beach, 20 minutes from Waihi, and wandered north, along the sand to a stream. After crossing it in the shallowest spot we could find, we headed up lots of little steps, over a headland and down into Waimama Bay. What an incredibly beautiful spot. Waimama is a sheltered little bay surrounded by magnificent old pohutukawas.…

Mt Sunday in the Hakatere Conservation Park was one of many places where the filming of the Lord of the Rings movie took place. The drive to Mt Sunday was very special and we stopped many times along the way visiting Mt Emma and Lake Emily and just generally stopping when we saw something interesting e.g. bridges, signs for more tramping etc. Mt Sunday was an easy walk with a bit of a hill climb but well worth it when you reached the top where you had clear views of the Rangitata River and Southern Alps. Once again the weather was absolutely perfect with no wind and clear sky. We could certainly see why they did the filming at Mt Sunday. What a great experience for us all to be…

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.…

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…

New Zealand Walk The Pauatahanui Te Ara Piko pathway is a 18.8-kilometer (11.7-mile) trail that connects the Porirua Harbour and Pauatahanui Inlet in the Wellington region. The pathway is also known as the “pathway to Mana,” as it passes through the suburb of Mana and ends near the Mana Esplanade. The pathway is named after the Maori words “Te Ara” which means “the path” and “Piko” which means “short,” referencing the route's directness. It is a flat and easy-to-walk path that is suitable for all ages and abilities. It is accessible for wheelchairs, bikes, and strollers, making it a great destination for families. The pathway was officially opened in 2013, following several years of planning and construction, and it has since become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.…

New Zealand Short Walk The Riuwaka Resurgence Walk is a short and easy walk in Kahurangi National Park at the base of Takaka Hill in the South Island. You can walk to the cave where there is a deep, clear pool and here the Riuwaka River emerges from the depths of the Takaka Hill. The walkway after passing the welcome gate follows the true left of Riuwaka River North Branch through lush native bush. The first half of the walkway to Crystal Pool has wheelchair access. There are several places you can approach the river's edge. A small waterfall is conspicuous by it's noise. The track continues to the cliff, from where the turquoise waters of the Resurgence are discoverable. Shortly afterwards the walkway ends at a viewing platform that…

Some 90 kilometres northeast of Auckland City lies Aotea (“White Cloud”), or as Captain James Cook decided, Great Barrier Island. At 285kms² and nearly 45 kms long, it is the 4th biggest in New Zealand's main chain of islands. Standing sentinel at the edge of the outer Hauraki Gulf, Great Barrier protects the inner gulf and mainland from the sometimes-vicious onslaught of the Pacific Ocean. A mere 19 kms separates the south end of the island from the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, and between the two, runs the Colville Channel, where the tidal surge into and out of the Gulf can produce notoriously dangerous boating conditions. As a boy, I recall a very rough passage from Whitianga to Port Fitzroy across this stretch of ocean. A later visit…

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…

EVENT It was a long time coming, but more than 4000 runners and walkers from all ends of New Zealand lined up for the 41st Frontrunner Christchurch Marathon. The 2022 event was cancelled during the tail end of New Zealand's covid19 restrictions. But it was worth the wait, because 2023 revealed a new-look event that provided fast racing and the biggest field for five years. Held on a new central city route with the start and finish inside Hagley Park, the Frontrunner Christchurch Marathon became more scenic, safer and faster all at once. No one was happier than race director Chris Cox, who has guided the event through earthquakes, pandemics and sky-rocketing costs. “Much like Christchurch itself, this event has been through some tough times,” says Cox. “But this year…

Hakatere Conservation Park is an absolutely amazing place to visit, with walking, tramping, biking, swimming, sailing, camping and much more. Our group of trampers had walked Mt Somers to Woolshed Creek Hut which we try to do at least once a year and we thought we would stay at the Mt Somers Holiday Park and then venture to the Hakatere Conservation Park to walk Mt Guy the next day rather than travelling to and from Christchurch. Mt Guy is at Lake Clearwater village. You can see Mt Guy as soon as you enter the Hakatere Conservation Park, the scenery was breathtaking especially as the weather was so perfect. The beginning of the walk is relatively easy walking by the Lake and one of our trampers carried on walking along the…

New Zealand Walks Te Mata Peak is a beautiful and majestic mountain in Havelock North, New Zealand. It is known for its stunning views and walking tracks that wind their way through the mountain's forests and valleys. Its sweeping views of the ocean, vineyards, and orchards below make it a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers from all over the world. The tracks vary in difficulty and length, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. But there's more to this mountain than just its breathtaking scenery. Over the years, the Maori people of the area have used Te Mata Peak for spiritual and cultural purposes. They believe that the mountain is a place of great spiritual significance, and it is said to be a gateway to the afterlife..…

New Zealand Walk Tukitukiwi Reserve is a beautiful park located in Palmerston North, featuring a walking track that meanders through native bushland, providing an opportunity to observe native wildlife and flora. The track is wellmaintained and features some boardwalk sections over wetlands, making it easy to navigate for visitors of all ages and abilities. The Tukitukiwi Walk is approximately two kilometers long and takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. Visitors have described the reserve as a peaceful and tranquil place, with the sounds of birdsong and flowing water adding to the serene atmosphere. The reserve is also a popular spot for picnics and family gatherings, with plenty of open spaces and picnic tables available. Overall, the Tukitukiwi Reserve in Palmerston North is a great place to explore and enjoy the…