Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2024 i Walking New Zealand

Walk talk Taranaki Crossing seeks to develop a high-quality visitor experience on Taranaki Maunga in Egmont National Park. The Taranaki Crossing refers to the main track network enabling visitors to travel by foot from Dawson Falls along the slopes of the maunga, across the Ahukawakawa wetland and over the Pouakai Ranges to the end of Mangorei Road. The journey can be experienced as a series of day walks, or a multi-day tramp. Additional funding has been contributed by local councils and DOC. The crossing project will see 25 km of tracks improved, creating a mix of short walks and longer tramps. It will also minimise the impact of visitors on the maunga environment. When completed, the Taranaki Crossing will showcase a safer and world-class visitor experience that truly represents Taranaki…

Australian Walk The incredible new 27km Tomaree Coastal Walk, on Worimi Country, NSW, Australia, was opened late last year, ready for visitors to experience walking the spectacular coastline in Tomaree National Park. The Tomaree Coastal Walk is the latest NSW Great Walk developed and opened by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and offers an incredible multi-day walking adventure in the heart of Port Stephens was opened last September. Located on the traditional lands of the Worimi people, the Tomaree Coastal Walk traverses an ancient volcanic landscape rich in culture and nature, starting at Tomaree Head at Shoal Bay and finishing at Birubi Point Aboriginal Place at Anna Bay. The track weaves along the stunning coastline of the national park guiding walkers over lush coastal headlands, across rock…

New Zealand Walk The Ashhurst to Raukawa Road pathway, nestled in the picturesque landscapes near Palmerston North, offers a serene and invigorating experience for walkers and cyclists alike. This 3.2km shared pathway, part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, provides a delightful journey from the Ashhurst Bridge to Raukawa Road, with plans to extend it further to Maxwells Line, creating a 21-kilometer route that showcases the natural beauty of the region The pathway, constructed with a three-meter-wide compacted limestone surface, ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for pedestrians and cyclists. It is a vehicle-free zone, except for service vehicles, making it safe and tranquil for all users. The pathway is wheelchair, pushchair, walker, scooter, and bicycle-friendly, catering to a wide range of visitors. Moreover, with designated car parks at both…

Because the weather is so unpredictable in Spring, we almost cancelled our plan last year to walk to Okioki, the newest hut in the Kaimais near Matamata. This hut can be accessed from either side of the ranges. The Ngamarama Track at the end of Whakamarama Road in the east, is slightly longer than Te Tuhi Track, off Old Te Aroha Road,on the western side. We chose the shorter track and we were so glad we risked the weather, because although the track was soggy on the way in, it had drained off remarkably over night, giving us lovely conditions to walk back out. Leaving the car at the end of Te Tuhi Road, we set off following orange markers for 30-40 minutes, up over farmland to the bush line.…

The Cathedral Cove Track to the famous beach renowned for its natural rock arch feature – was severely damaged by extreme weather events in January and February 2023. The Department of Conservation (DOC) staff determined the track was an unacceptable risk to public walking access. DOC has now announced its work programme to determine how the walking access can be reinstated in a safe and resilient way, especially given climate change, rockfall and land movement challenges at the site. “Ideally, we want safe walking access to the beach reinstated and our ambition is to have it ready for visitors next summer,” says Tama Potaka. “Cathedral Cove/Te Whanganui-a-Hei is a crucial part of Coromandel’s tourism economy and reinstating walking access to it will help get the district back on track. “I…

The Department of Conservation has restored the 100-year-old gold miner’s cottage Divis lived in and it is now open to visitors to Waiuta, a Tohu Whenua site. Czech émigré Divis (1885-1967) was a keen amateur photographer who documented gold mining life during the heyday of the town, about 35 km from Reefton. This often included posing in his own photos using a self-timer which has led to him being described as pioneering the ‘selfie’ Greymouth District Operations Manager Chris Hickford says the team focussed on doing the restoration in a way that retains as much of the historic original building fabric as possible. “It was a complex job but offered a unique opportunity to upskill rangers who work on heritage structures.…

Walking the Glory Track, near Invercargill in Southland, is a moderate challenge that offers scenic beauty and diverse landscapes that takes about an hour. The 2km loop track weaves through dense bush before reaching the top the Bluff Hill (Motupohue) and back down the other side. Check out historic gunneries at the hilltop where you are also rewarded with vistas extending out to sea and across the surrounding countryside The track can be started at either Stirling Point or at the Gunpit Road access. The Glory Track can be walked as a return track, or it can form a loop walk by joining with the Foveaux Walkway. The Foveaux Walkway section takes approximately 20 minutes to walk, forming a 50-minute round trip starting and ending at Stirling Point. Note: Dog…

New Zealand Walks The warm and sheltered waters of the Hauraki Gulf have been home to humans for up to a thousand years, providing a fertile fishing ground for early Māori and today forming the backdrop to New Zealand’s biggest city. While Hauraki itself means “the north wind”, which used to bring raiding parties from that direction – the gulf now has another official Māori name: Tīkapa Moana o Hauraki, a sea protected by a sacred rock or mauri placed by the navigator Tametekapua of the Arawa canoe on an islet at the entrance to the gulf. The gulf contains more than 50 islands, from rocky islets barely above the high-tide mark to suburban Waiheke and the massive Great Barrier, lurking on the horizon. Most are largely uninhabited; several are…

Auckland Walk Kauri Glen in Northcote, Auckland, has been a reserve since 1907. Although the forest has been milled for kauri, some large trees of 200 to 300 years in age remain. The main entrance is through Kauri Glen Road, beside the Northcote College gymnasium. The track begins as a wide carriageway amongst tall kanuka. This opens out to a bluff overlooking the dense growth in the valley floor surrounded by tall kauri. The main loop track crosses the Waiurutoa Stream and follows the northern ridge. On descending to the valley floor at the eastern end of the reserve the track passes through taraire forest before following the southern ridge back to the main entrance. A short secondary track with steps descends down to the valley below and crosses a…

It’s the last few days of summer here in Christchurch and the cool, calm, sunny morning has arrived here in the “Garden City” which makes it a great day for a walk. This morning’s planned walk will be the northern loop section of the Bexley Wetlands, which is in the east of Christchurch and borders the three suburbs of Bexley, New Brighton and South New Brighton. Today I will start my walk at South New Brighton at the Bridge Street entrance heading up to the Pages Road bridge and returning on the opposite side taking approx one and a half hours on an easy flat multi-use loop pathway. There are multiple starting point options but by far the most popular one is starting at the Bridge Street entrance. After a…

New Zealand Trails As a nature enthusiast and avid hiker, my recent journey took me to the enchanting Point Elizabeth Walkway near Greymouth on the stunning West Coast. This coastal gem offers not only breathtaking views but also a peaceful retreat into the heart of nature, where the sounds of crashing waves and rustling leaves create a symphony that resonates with the soul. The Point Elizabeth Walkway is a relatively short yet incredibly rewarding trail that starts at Rapahoe Beach, just a short drive south of Greymouth and follows an old water race built by 19th century gold miners. My anticipation soared as I began my adventure, equipped with sturdy hiking boots, a camera to capture the scenic beauty, and a heart open to the wonders that awaited me. The…

New Zealand Walk The Omotumotu Loop walk on the West Coast is a pleasant experience offering a quick dose of forest within the urban area that allows you to explore the only substantial forest area remaining within the urban vicinity of Greymouth. You can enjoy the serene surroundings of mixed podocarp forest, native birds like fantails, bellbirds, and New Zealand pigeons, and possibly spot rarer species like weka and fernbirds. Additionally, the area offers glimpses of mining history and recreational opportunities such as camping, swimming, bird watching, and picnicking There is a lookout over the forest to enjoy along the way. Overall, this walk provides a moderate level of difficulty with a rewarding natural setting and historical significance for visitors to enjoy. The loop walk takes approximately 25 to 45…

Te Araroa would not exist if it wasn’t for the vision, passion, and effort of founder Geoff Chapple who, worked (and walked!) tirelessly to map out the route, negotiate access and mobilise hundreds of volunteers. Geoff turned 80 years of age in March. Geoff revitalised the idea of a continuous trail spanning the length of the country in the early 1990s and founded Te Araroa Trust in 1994 to raise funds and oversee the trail’s development. What followed was a 17 year labour of love to turn Te Araroa into reality, with the trail officially opening in 2011. As CEO of the Trust throughout that time, Geoff was assisted greatly by his wife, Miriam Beatson, who efficiently managed the Trust’s secretarial and administrative tasks and communication with walkers. Geoff’s leadership,…

New Zealand Walk On the southwest share of Lake Taupo there is an easy short walk of 1.4kms that begins at the end of Kaiuru Avenue in Pukawa Village and ends at the Omori boat ramp. The track wanders through the bush along the edge of Lake Taupo on an easy gradient. Bellbird and tūī are often seen in the trees above, and from time to time glimpses of nearby Lake Taupo. The track emerges at Omori Reserve on the edge of the lake where there is a picnic area, toilet and shingle beach. The reserve is notable for the kōwhai trees which create a splash of bright yellow when flowering. Aluminium bands have been placed around some kohuhu trees to prevent possums from climbing up to eat the palatable…