Walking New Zealand April 2024

Walk talk Visitors to Arizona can discover secluded areas within Petrified Forest National Park with eight new Off the Beaten Path guides. These direct hikers away from busier areas to explore the park’s more hidden trails. Adventures include following old roadbeds, trekking into the wild badlands of the Painted Desert and hiking a path made by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The trails are open all year round and range from four to eight miles. The new guides are available at the park’s visitor centre.…

Wula Gura Nyinda has added to its collection of experiences with the World Heritage Walking Tour, a three-day walking expedition between two national parks in the World Heritage listed Shark Bay region in WA, Australia. This is the only walking tour in the area. Walkers explore the coastline and hear ancient stories of Francois Peron National Park (Wilybidi) and Dirk Hartog Island (Wirruwanna), an eight-hour drive north of Perth/Boorloo. Walkers also learn about the local Aboriginal Australian culture, spot Aussie wildlife, view sunsets over the Indian Ocean, explore natural landscapes, and sit under the stars listening to the ancient sounds of the didgeridoo. The World Heritage Walking Tour includes meals, boat transfers, marine safari, the Didgeridoo Dreaming Night Tour and one night’s accommodation at Dirk Hartog Eco Lodge.…

Walk talk The Kauri Cascade walk in Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges, has reopened in January after six years of closure due to flash flooding and the spread of kauri dieback disease. The track, located in the Waitākere Ranges, was closed in 2017 but has undergone a six-year restoration process, including the installation of new boardwalks and preventative measures to protect against kauri dieback2 This reopening is a significant milestone in the conservation efforts to save the kauri trees, which are a vital part of New Zealand’s native flora The reopening of the track is a cause for celebration for the public, but it also comes with a sense of caution as efforts continue to protect these precious trees from the devastating effects of kauri dieback.…

The Pike29 Memorial Track dedicated to the 29 men killed in the Pike Mine disaster and is named in their honour was officially opened on 17 February 2024. The 11.6 km dual mountain biking and walking track connects the Paparoa Track Great Walk to the Pike River Valley. The new track was created in partnership between DOC, Ngāti Waewae and the families of the 29 men who died as a result of the Pike River mine disaster in November 2010. “The opening of the Pike29 Memorial Track is another step towards the Pike River Families’ dual goal of creating an enduring memory for their family members lost in the Pike River Mine disaster and creating long term sustainable economic benefits for those West Coast Communities impacted by the Pike River…

New Zealand Walks The Hemi Matenga Scenic Reserve is located near Waikanae and offers sweeping views of Kapiti Island, This 330-hectare reserve with a large remnant of native kohekohe forest, forms part of an ecosystem network that links Kapiti Island with the Tararua Ranges. This reserve offers sweeping views of Kapiti Island and Waikanae Estuary. The reserve features three beautiful bush walks with both gentle and demanding tracks, including a walk to the summit. The reserve is accessed from Tui Crescent on the hillside of Waikanae. It is a popular destination for nature lovers and hikers, offering a range of walking options through stunning bushland. The best time to visit the Hemi Matenga Scenic Reserve is during the warmer months of the year, that are from October to April. During…

With its underground geothermal action bubbling close to the surface, it’s hard to avoid the unique aroma of Rotorua. But those sulphur fumes oozing through the thermal landscape are quickly forgotten while eyeballing entertaining belching mud pools and ambling through apocalyptic landscapes. Of course, the adventure city also offers plenty of adrenaline thrills and spills, but if the family needs an outing that won’t jangle the nerves, here are five nature walks to explore. Te Auheke Track / Cascades Track | Lake Ōkataina Offering some of the best forest bathing in Rotorua year-round, this 10m-high waterfall becomes even more swoon-worthy after a heavy downpour when cascading waterfalls drench the moss-covered cliff, creating shallow pools beneath lush native ferns. Linger after dusk to watch the unassuming cliff face five minutes along…