Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2024 i Walking New Zealand

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,…

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.…

In beautiful Spring weather we set off for a wander in the Waitawheta Valley, in the lower Kaimai Forest Park, near Waihi. We chose Dalys Hut as our destination – a nice easy three hour loop. Parking at the end of Franklin Road, we walked along a well drained gravel road, and across farmland for the first half hour. A large orange triangle and Information boards indicated the start of the Waitawheta Tramway Track. We followed this track for 15 minutes, beside the Waitawheta River, to reach the junction with Dalys Track. Turning right, we walked steadily uphill, with lots of little wooden steps. After 25 minutes the trail descended to a stream, and five minutes later we reached the clearing and Dalys Hut. The hut sleeps 16. A bunk…

Walk, run or bike on the Sulphur Flats, Rotorua, a once active geothermal area where threatened bird populations make their home. Just off the beaten track in Rotorua but not as popular as the Sulphur Point Wildlife Sanctuary is the Sulphur Flats geological area. Sulphur Flats is at the south end of Lake Rotorua, by the outlet of the Puarenga Stream, which flows through Whakarewarewa geothermal area. Sulphur Flats is also a zone of thermal activity. Although it is close to built-up areas, it remains largely in its natural state. The adjoining Sulphur Point Wildlife Sanctuary is an important water bird habitat, and the offshore islands were once Māori stone-working sites. Part of the Te Ara Ahi Cycle Trail passes through this area. This area is designated as an area…

Overseas Walk Autumn in New England begins in late September and ends in late December. In a Cinderella-type move, this region sees September 1st as its cue to start its annual transformation to a xanthic carpet. Travellers flock to see the colours, a practice known as “leaf peeping.” The combination of natural rugged landscape and rural, small town villages have made several areas in New England iconic locations for fall colour photography. Hiking and walking is especially popular in this period. Yet, despite draping itself across its six states, autumn in New England is more than just blazing leaves. It is rooted deep in the American soul – so much so that parts of it feel like they were made to order by the minds of Robert Frost, Nora Ephron,…

Australian Walk An estimated 50,000 people climb the mountain each year and it’s easy to see why This Grade 4 walking track is suitable for fit walkers only. There are steep, rocky sections and the summit is 208m above sea level. Loose gravel surfaces and exposed naturally-occurring lookouts. Supervise children closely. Mt Coollum is one of the Sunshine Coast’s ancient volcanic domes that was created about 26 million years ago. Mount Coolum is a laccolith, formed when a dome-shaped bulge of magma cooled below the Earth’s surface. The walking track includes some of nature’s own rock steps. Formed during the volcanic period, large hexagonal cooling columns lie almost horizontally in the track’s path. The walk begins in open forest and as the elevation increases and soils change, the forest becomes…

New Zealand Walk And yes, sea faring voyagers from Hawaiki peopled these islands long before Abel was a boy. Anyway, we honour Abel with a sea and an adjoining park. Project Janszoon is well worth a look into for park history. Having some work to do in Motueka (or Mot, as I heard the locals refer to it) I decided to bookend a weekend with a couple of days annual leave, grab a fine weather window, and set out from Mārahau on a sunny Friday morning in May 2023. You can get from Motueka to the trail head at Mārahau by a reasonably priced taxi service. I employed the Nelson family taxi service, gratefully. My idea was to walk in two days, and walk out two days - thus avoiding…

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.…

New Zealand Walk The Ngatoro Loop Track 1.4km walk is the continuation of the Ngatoro Track featured in Walking New Zealand magazine April 2023 page 17. It is situated at the North Egmont Visitors Centre parking area and can be done separately from it’s more arduous and challenging other half which starts or ends at the Mangaoraka Picnic Area on Egmont Road (in the National Park area). Depending on which way you chose to challenge it, uphill from there or downhill from the Visitor Centre. This sister loop track is situated among other loop tracks starting from the Egmont Visitor Centre, where they are all well signposted. It takes you through a damp mossy lowland forest rata, rimu, tree ferns, totara, kamahi, kaikawaka (mountain cedar) and many other species of…

The Harry Ell Track, located on the Christchurch Port Hills is a great walk to explore the native and exotic woodland, with your whole family, including your furry friends, but your furry friends must be on a leash! Start this fun walk from the Sign of the Takahe where you join the well formed path above the left side of the road. The walkway is named after a Canterbury legend, Harry Ell who played a significant role in stopping the closure of the Port Hills tracks and who passed the scenery preservation bill in 1903 which now days allows us to explore these stunning nature reserves. Along the way you you’ll find plenty of spots to rest and where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, ranging from open areas that…

Nordic Walking In hip osteoarthritis, Nordic Walking has been found to be superior to strength training and homebased exercises for improving function. Approximately 25% of the population will develop symptoms of hip osteoarthritis, which is characterised by pain during physical activity. Reducing physical activity leads to muscle weakness, limited ability to carry out activities of daily living, reduced quality of life and increased morbidity. People with hip osteoarthritis report problems with walking and rising from a chair. Of note is that six months after hip replacement, patients reported even lower ability to perform chair-stand movements. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but non-pharmacological recommendations advocate mixed exercise programmes including strength training, aerobic and flexibility exercises. In a study, conducted in 2016, a total of 152 participants (60+ years old) were…

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…

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…

Mt Favourite Walk Te Waikoropupū Springs contain some of the clearest water ever measured, coming second only to Lake Rotomairewhenua (Blue Lake) in the Nelson Lakes National Park. What’s more, as the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, and the largest coldwater springs in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s easy to see why people travel from near and far to witness the unrivalled beauty of Te Waikoropupū. The visual clarity of the springs is estimated at approximately 76m, statistically close to that of optically pure water. Discharging approximately 14,000 litres of water per second (enough to fill 40 bathtubs), the current of bubbles that emerge from the springs has earnt it the nickname ‘dancing sands’. An easy, flat 20-minute walk under the canopy of mānuka and kanuka takes you across boardwalks…

The Ōtaki River Track is a shared pathway on the northern side along the picturesque Ōtaki River from Otaki Beach to the main highway at the Otaki road bridge. The journey begins at Otaki Beach, a picturesque coastal stretch where the soothing sounds of waves crashing against the shore set the tone for the expedition. As walkers traverse the sandy shores, they are greeted by stunning views of the Tasman Sea, creating a serene atmosphere that allows for reflection and relaxation. It’s an easy mostly flat just under 4km trail used for walking, running, biking, and horse riding There is parking at either end, down Kapiti Lane, or off State highway 1 on the town side of the bridge. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. Along the…

Photo Contest…

New Zealand Walk Anybody with any knowledge of walking in New Zealand is aware of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. It’s a Great Walk. Rumours are it is the most walked track in New Zealand; each year approximately 200,000 people stride out on this well maintained, gently undulating and curvaceous walk in the park. The Abel Tasman National Park, located at the top east of the South Island - or Te Wai Pounamu. The Abel Tasman Coast Track: quality camping sites and bookable huts courtesy the Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai. Recovering coastal bush, kaka, swing bridges over gushing crystal-clear streams, and any number of coastal headlands, golden sand beaches and photo worthy views. For full and current details I recommend the Doc website. ‘Walking the Abel Tasman…

The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk, which had been closed since February 2023 due to the impacts of flooding and severe weather damage sustained during Cyclone Gabrielle, reopened on 10th January 2024. An intensive repair and maintenance programme to reopen the track led by Tūhoe was supported by DOC, external contractors, local and recreational communities and volunteers. As part of a Backcountry Trust crew, members of the FMC board and whānau have also contributed to the reopening of the track with renovation work on Panekire Hut a few weeks ago.…