Walking New Zealand March 2024

Walk talk Plans for the Masterton Eastside Link Cycleway have been scrapped after the Government’s announcement it is withdrawing funding for the project. NZTA Waka Kotahi previously put hundreds of millions of dollars of funding for projects on hold while waiting for “a clear direction from the incoming government on its transport investment priorities”, and that direction has now been given. The cycleway project in Masterton would have been funded from the $305 million set aside for the Transport Choices Programme from the Climate Emergency Response Fund [CERF], which had a balance of $3.6 billion in early 2023. The Eastside Link Cycleway had been approved to start at the Kuripuni shops and finish at the netball courts on Colombo Road. It would’ve run past the back entrance of Chanel College,…

Active Adventures has launched its Italian & Swiss Alps Hiking Adventure, a fully-guided, small group tour of the Monte Rosa massif. Active Adventures’ new trip features hiking from one mountain village to the next, taking in views such as the iconic Matterhorn and stunning Monte Rosa. Guests take cable car rides at mountains such as Testa Grigia and over the Teodul Glacier. Additionally, the itinerary includes trekking parts of the Europaweg Trail, e-biking through woodlands and medieval towns, and on the last day, kayaking on Lake Orta. European operations manager for Active Adventures, Adam Beecham says the all-inclusive nine-day itinerary suits walkers seeking a more off-the-beaten track experience than the Tour du Mont Blanc.…

The Hike Collective is offering easy short trail adventures at various locations across Perth in WA Australia, all less than an hours’ drive from the CBD. Hike Collective’s Summer Blend series includes halfday adventures such as Trail + Art and Trail + Paint – with the journey beginning with a hike through Perth’s Kings Park and Botanic Garden (Kaarta Koomba), followed by a botanical clay-making workshop (art) or a watercolour painting workshop (paint). The Trail + Breath option gives guests an invigorating breathwork session, sitting atop a hill along the Bibbulmun Track in Mundaring. www.hikecollective.com.au…

Walk talk The West Australian Government has invested in a new aerial adventure ropes course in Pemberton, which recently opened at Gloucester National Park and is already bringing tourism to the region. The attraction was created with $100,000 from the Community Small Grants Fund (CSGF). The aerial ropes course offers a multi-level treetop experience, including a 100m flying fox, while the WA Government’s investment is also enabling the construction of a welcome area and café, set to open later this year. Visitors to Gloucester National Park can enter free of charge for the next six months, making Aerial Adventure Pemberton more accessible for local, intrastate and international tourists.…

Choosing to move around on foot, by bike, scooter, or skateboard in Wānaka became a whole lot easier with the completion of a new shared pathway along Anderson Road, in late December. Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board Chair, Simon Telfer said the pathway was a crucial link in Wānaka’s active transport network, providing another safe and easy alternative for people to get around town. “The pathway down Anderson Road provides a wonderful opportunity for more people to move around the area by bike or on foot, and I’d encourage everyone to give this new connection a try when heading to or from town this summer,” said Mr Telfer. At its northern end, the shared pathway connects with the recently sealed connection down Aubrey Road from Albert Town past Northlake, running through…

Melville and Julie Symes have legalised a popular walking track from Jimmy Armers Beach that crosses their property. Most of the existing track was on an unformed legal road, but there were significant deviations onto the Symes’ property. The Symes wanted to ensure the community and tourists would continue to have access along the track into the future if their land were to change hands. The popular walking track links the best swimming beach in Kaikoura, where there is a well-frequented seafood cart, and houses at the top of the hill. This walk is popular with locals and tourists alike, providing a steady climb with great views from the top. The track has historic interest, as it is the same route that fishers took a century ago to reach the…