Innholdsfortegnelse for October2023 i Walking New Zealand

My Favourite Walk Birdlings Flat is about 45 km from Christchurch before Little River on the main road to Akaroa. It is a small settlement with a stoney beach where many people collect coloured stones and gems and of course go fishing. It is not a swimming beach as there are very strong ocean currents. We had a good frost in the morning and headed out to Birdlings Flat to begin our walk. It was a sunny day and the sky was blue. First we had to walk along the 4WD track in the shingle which was a very good way to warm up as it was a little hard to walk on but it was not for long. We headed up the farm track (4WD) after meeting the resident…

NZ Walking Festival Embrace your adventurous spirit and appreciate nature up close and personal at this year’s Waiheke Walking Festival from October 26th to November 5th. This beloved annual event with the tagline ‘the world’s friendliest walking festival’ aims to not just talk the talk, but also walk the walk, offering an array of fabulous walks that showcase the stunning beauty of Waiheke Island while giving festival-goers opportunities to connect and explore. The Te Matuku Private Land Walk is a wonderful hike through private land, along wetlands, across coastal farmland and down through the pristine bush of the Awaawaroa - Te Matuku Walkway, with the kind permission of, and guided by, wonderful landowner Lady Jennie Fenwick. The first week also holds a new Festival double whammy Make Tracks - Breaking…

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New Zealand Walk When travelling from Oamaru northwest to Omarama and beyond why not stop at the Otematata Wetlands where you can take in some fantastic spots along the shoreline of Lake Aviemore. There is an excellent network of small tracks, trails, picnic areas and swimming spots, making it the perfect place to enjoy a packed lunch, burn off some steam with the kids or enjoy a leisurely stroll in search of interesting flora and fauna. This is a great trail for all ages and fitness levels. Here you can enjoy a 30 minute walk one way between Boat Harbour and Wildlife camping areas or do the 60 minute circuit that includes Otematata town. Time: 30 minutes one hour for the loop. Distance: 4.5km of trail. You can also ride…

New Zealand Walk Makara Walkway is a 6.6 kilometre loop that begins and ends at Makara Beach. A half hour drive from Wellington city, this popular three to four hour walk offers fabulous views and good swimming at beaches sheltered in a southerly. This is a popular trail for hiking and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of two hours six minute to complete. It is classed as an advanced tramping track. This is one of three tracks in the Meridian West Wind Recreation Area. The walk starts by following a rough track from Makara Beach up past an ancient Ngāti Ira pā site to the Fort Opau gun emplacements, and experience views…

Walk talk An authentic outback Kimberley wilderness experience awaits at Mount Hart Lodge, located off the iconic Gibb River Road in the Wunaamin Conservation Park. Originally a cattle station, this historically rich and rustic accommodation offers an ideal base to explore the wonders of the Kimberley. New for the 2023 season, the accommodation offering now includes luxury bell tents with single and queen beds – adding to the existing safari tents, campgrounds and homestead accommodation. Mount Hart Lodge Helicopter Tours are now also available, taking guests over the regions’ waterfall wonders – including a scenic flight over the magnificent Horizontal Falls (Garaanngaddim).…

Event The 2024 Frontrunner Christchurch Marathon is scheduled for April 21st, and organisers are moving to capitalise on 2023’s successful revamp with a bold goal of 5000 starters. In 2023 the Frontrunner Christchurch Marathon kicked covid cancellations to the curb with a new sponsor, a new venue, a new course and almost 4000 participants. In 2024 it looks to become more inclusive with an eye to topping 5000 starters for the first time since 2015. Based now within Hagley Park, the event revolves around a 10k lap around the CBD that highlights iconic landmarks such as Canterbury Museum, Cambridge Terrace and Oxford Terrace added to the popular Hagley Park and Avon River sections. Christchurch Frontrunner owner, Oska Inkster-Baynes, has been a supporter of the event long before he became a…

New Zealand Walk The Hokowhitu Centennial Lagoon Walk is a 1.8km picturesque trail located in Palmerston North, It is known for its tranquil surroundings, diverse birdlife, and beautiful views of the lagoon. The walk is a wellmaintained gravel pathway that runs along the eastern side edge of the Hokowhitu Lagoon, offering serene views of the water. The walk is flat and suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The lagoon is surrounded by lush vegetation and provides a habitat for various bird species. Bird watching is a popular activity along this trail, so don’t forget your binoculars if you’re a bird enthusiast. There are designated picnic areas along the track where you can take a break, relax, and enjoy the views. These spots are perfect for a family outing or…

Australian Walk The Spit Oceanway or Federation Walk is a short walk in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, from Seaworld to an entrance to the Gold Coast Seaway. This is an easy 3km walk, (6km if you go to the end and back) along a well made path through the sand dunes of The Spit. It’s perhaps the closest walk to Surfers Paradise and provides a unique insight into the coastal dune network. The walk starts at the beach carpark on the opposite side of the road from the entrance to Sea World. You’ll need to go around the roundabout to get to the carpark. A fig tree in the car park marks the start of Federation Walk, which winds its way through patches of littoral rainforest undergoing regeneration. Regular community planting…

New Zealand Walk The Mt Bruce Track is situated within the Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre, a conservation area located in the Wairarapa. One of the highlights of walking the Mt Bruce Track is the chance to encounter native New Zealand wildlife. Allow around two hours return for this 4km walk. The area is home to various bird species, including the iconic kiwi, as well as kaka, takahe, and kokako. The Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre is actively involved in conservation efforts for these species, and they often have educational exhibits and information along the track. Once you pass the Loop Track sign, you officially enter wild New Zealand bush. The track is no longer accessible by wheelchairs, pushchairs or mobility scooters. The difficulty of this walk is low to…

New Zealand Walks Leg-burning workouts and sedate tree-hugging adventures are just 15 minutes north of Hamilton, writes Ceana Priest. Beneath the bush-clad spine of the Hakarimata Range, a lung-busting stairway attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually. Sheltered by towering rimu and rata, folks ascend the infamous Hakarimata Steps, bolstered by motivation signs along the nearly 1,400 steps. But bagging the summit isn’t the only way to experience this reserve on the western fringes of the Waikato Basin. Multiple entry points in the north, south and middle provide access to more sedate adventures where two-wheels are welcome, cuddling a kauri is allowed and spotting glowworms a bonus. Within the 2,000-hectare reserve, ancient peripatus/velvet worms and more than 120 species of land snail coexist alongside one of the nation’s southernmost kauri trees.…

New Zealand Walks The Waikato (”flowing water”) River wends its winding way for 425km from Lake Taupo to the Tasman Sea, giving its name to the region that it traverses. The Waikato is the fourth largest region in the country in area and population. It has a land area of 23,900 km2 and a population of 513,800 (June 2022), with a population density of 21 people per km2. Its largest city is Hamilton (180,000). The Waikato has very high sunshine hours by world standards, averaging 2200 hours per year. This results in rapid growth of grass, crops and ornamental plants. To the west, the region is bounded by the Tasman Sea. The coastal region is largely rough hill country, punctured by three large natural harbours: Raglan Harbour, Aotea Harbour, and…

My Favourite Walk The Otago Central Rail Trail is a 150 km trail that follows the old Central Otago branch railway from Middlemarch to Clyde. In 1990 the railway from Middlemarch to Clyde was closed and the rails and sleepers removed. In 2000 the old railway was opened up as the Otago Central Rail Trail. It can be cycled taking three to four days, or walked which would take six to seven days. While visiting Central Otago in early July, I grabbed the opportunity to walk the section from Clyde to Alexandra. I have previously cycled the whole trail five times but today I wanted to experience it from a different perspective. The trail head officially starts at the intersection of SH8 and Springvale Road, Clyde, where I started the…

New Zealand Walks Nestled on the picturesque South Island, the Banks Track in Akaroa is a journey that promises breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and a profound connection with nature. This multi-day walking track offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the region’s natural beauty while learning about its history, culture, and conservation efforts. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a nature enthusiast, or simply seeking a rejuvenating escape, the Banks Track is a must-explore destination. The Banks Track is a circular walking track that encompasses the stunning Banks Peninsula, located about 80 kilometres from Christchurch. Stretching over 31 kilometres, the track weaves through varied landscapes, including native forests, tranquil bays, rolling hills, and dramatic coastal cliffs. The journey provides an ever-changing canvas of panoramas, from sweeping ocean vistas to lush…

NZ Walking Festival The third Wairarapa Walking Festival will be from 10 - 19 November 2023. There will be 26 different walks, including Urban Heritage, Māori Heritage, coastal and farm walks, tramping, enjoying local produce, walks with dogs, and nature conservation. Most walks are free. Registration is essential to secure your place. All walks will have a knowledgeable leader and a firstaider. Tracey Higgins, Co-convenor of the 2023 Festival says “Walking benefits mind and body for all ages and abilities. Walking encourages connections with people and places.” Ceia Wade-Brown, Co-convenor and Founder, says “Wairarapa offers a host of wonderful walking experiences – from the majestic Tararua Ranges to rural towns and the wild coast.” The 2023 programme repeats the popular Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae hīkoi that visits local reserves and an urupā,…