Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i Walking New Zealand

Walk talk Chocolate Gannets, with four Beachfront Luxury Villas on the Great Ocean Road in Apollo Bay, has a new koala track which provides plenty of opportunities for guests to spot wild koalas that live in the gum trees just a few steps behind the accommodation. Exclusive to Chocolate Gannets guests, the Koala Track meanders through gum trees (established and new) and native Australian plants. The track is part of a broader project of habitat rehabilitation and regenerative land management. Chocolate Gannets has planted more than 3,000 Australian native plants which provides the momentum for a flora and fauna resurgence in an area that had been overrun by invasive species. In less than a year, there has been an increase in bird activity and a stabilisation of koalas that consistently…

Walk talk The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) in the USA, has launched 52 new road cycling routes that wind their way through the state's landscapes. The new programme, Bike Tennessee, at BikeTN.com allows cyclists to experience the routes using the app Ride with GPS. ‘From our music to our makers, Tennessee is a state full of storytellers,’ says commissioner Mark Ezell, TDTD. ‘As travellers increasingly seek sustainable and authentic experiences, we invite them to explore our scenic routes and discover the charm of our small towns.’ Each Bike Tennessee route was carefully mapped, ensuring cyclists have access to detailed navigation and route information. Ride descriptions provide information about the terrain, waypoints and lesser known locations along the way, as well as modifications to tailor each ride to the…

Peddars Way is a 50-odd mile walk across Norfolk, in the east of England. From a small nature reserve called Knettishall Heath the path runs north-east to the coast (officially, to Holme Next the Sea). It may be the youngest long distance path in England, but much of it runs over, alongside, or near to an old Roman road. Of course before the Romans arrived in England there are thousands of years of other layers of history. At one time connected by land to Europe, Norfolk was likely the gateway for the earliest humans to enter what became The British Isles. Norfolk is known for being ‘big sky’ country. Skies of drama and revelation, subject to sudden change as weather systems arrive and leave. I enjoyed mostly sunny early August…

New Product For hikers and walkers, TORQ Explore Adventure Foods offer the perfect nutrition. Explore Supercharged meals provide over 500 calories of high-quality, functional food designed to sustain your energy on the trail. TORQ's Performance Nutrition heritage sets them apart, focusing on functionality to enhance your performance. Whether you're tackling a rugged trail or a multiday epic, each meal is crafted to optimize energy and stamina without weighing you down. Choose from options, including breakfast, pasta meals, and desserts to suit your needs. In addition to their adventure meals, don't forget to try TORQ's always popular, delicious flapjacks, perfect for a quick energy boost during your hike. TORQ has an exclusive offer: buy any three meals and get a free CamelBak camper mug. This durable mug is ideal for your…

The Coromandel Peninsula extends 85 km north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty, forming a natural barrier protecting the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames in the west from the Pacific Ocean to the east. It is 40 km wide at its broadest point. The peninsula comprises the eroded remnants of the Coromandel Volcanic Zone, which was highly active during the Miocene and Pliocene periods. Geothermal activity is still present, with hot springs in several places, notably at Hot Water Beach. The Māori name for the peninsula is Te Tara-o-te-Ika-a-Māui, meaning “the barb of Māui's fish”. This comes from the legend in which the demigod uses his hook to catch a great fish (Te Ikaa-Māui or the North Island) from the depths of the Pacific Ocean.…

Walk Japan has launched he Kyoto: Mountains to the Sea tour, exploring Kyoto Prefecture, a rural region where the contrast with Kyoto's urban landscape is stark. The fully-guided, eight-day tour ventures through Kyoto's backcountry, where the pace of life is still measured by seasons and a multitude of colourful festivals throughout the year. Here visitors, Japanese and from overseas, are Walking Kyoto's countryside few and far between. The tour follows ancient trails, once vital for commerce and communication, that weave through valleys and over high passes until culminating on the Sea of Japan coast at Amanohashidate, considered one of Japan's three classic vistas. En route, it passes through littleknown villages, historic temples and shrines. Accommodation each night is in Japanese inns. www.walkjapan.com…

Mangaone Walkway follows an old historic bush tramway in low hill country east of Waikanae. It was historically known as Reikorangi Track. This gentle, shady bush well formed walk winds between Mangaone North Road (Te Horo) and Mangaone South Road (Reikorangi). The bush walk winds through lush native forest and wide open fields. The track is relatively flat and suitable for all ages and fitness types. It takes walkers through both farmland and sections of the Kaitawa Scenic Reserve along the Waikanae River. There are small trails leading down to the river where there are great swimming holes in the Waikanae River. The total time to complete this track is approximately three hours to complete the track one way N.B. The north end is currently closed so walk to the…

Day One we headed to Queenstown Hill Walking Track (also known as Queenstown Hill Time Walk) which can be accessed from Belfast Terrace close to where it intersects with Kerry Drive. For those with enough stamina the walk can be commenced from the township by following signposted linked pathways up to the start. There is a small car park and plenty of road parking. This walk winds its way steadily upward initially through a darkened path surrounded by wilding pines (self-seeded trees growing where they aren't wanted) and dotted with gorgeous red speckled mushrooms. Information plates refer to different time periods in Queenstown's history. Once we reached the steel sculpture called ‘Basket of Dreams’ said to inspire dreaming (a very lovely thought) we stopped for a much-needed breather, photos and…

New Zealand Walk In Okere Falls Scenic Reserve, near Rotorua, the Kaituna River cascades between narrow, steep ravines before it enters the tranquil waters of the Trout Pool and then continues its journey to the coast at Maketu. Okere River an 11km section of the Kaituna River, has significant and spiritual value for Maori. Ngati Pikiako are the traditional guardians of the river, though for centuries battles were fought to gain access to the river's rich resources. Today Ngati Pikao continue their Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the river through the Lake Rotoiti Scenic Reserve Board and manage Okere Falls Scenic Reserve along with DOC (Department of Conservation). While the Okere River has been highly valued by the people of the area for centuries, more recently it has gained in popularity for…

New Zealand Walks We had a week in Picton and as usual we walked everyday and of course as usual the weather was just fabulous. There are so many places to explore, it does not matter where you go. The Snout The first walk we did was The Snout in Picton. The Snout is a great walk along the Marlborough Sounds and through the bush in Picton. The walk can start from Picton town (four hours) or if you do not want to make it such a big day you can park your car in the Victoria Domain and start from the beginning of the Snout Track (approximately three hours). There are many bike tracks as well as shared tracks. As you walk along the track you get views of…

In April a walk into Discovery Mine at Waihi Beach was postponed a couple of weeks, due to weather conditions. It was well worth the wait. Meeting at the reservoir, we started off beside Waihi Stream, led by Gary and Jim; who have a wealth of knowledge about this area. In a short time we scrambled up the bank to explore the remains of the Discovery Mine. This operated as a gold exploration from 1905-08 and was completely flooded in 1909, so has a short history. Back to the stream, we wandered up, criss-crossing, climbing up banks, past mossy boulders, under fallen trunks, and across river gravel. It was a really pretty walk through re-generating bush, with lots of nikaus, pungas, kawakawa, and ferns, under huge puriris. We stopped to…

Located on the traditional lands of the Worimi people, the 27km Tomaree Coastal Walk in New South Wales, Australia 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 Tomaree walk has been open for about 12 months and provides new motivation to visit the area during winter. “The walk is ideal year round and it suits our message that Port Stephens is not just a summer destination”, says Mel Turner, manager industry engagement with Destination Port Stephens. The track weaves along the stunning coastline of Tomaree National Park guiding walkers over lush coastal headlands, across rock ledges and through angophora forests, before arriving at the southern hemisphere's largest mobile sand dunes…

New Zealand Walk A ways from the crowds of Lake Tekapo, Lake Alexandrina and Lake Mcgregor are two beautiful lakes located just a short 15 minute drive from Lake Tekapo. As you leave Lake Tekapo heading towards Mount Cook, it's just a few minutes down the road, to the turnoff off onto Godley Peaks Road and it's a further 10 km on a sealed road to the next turnoff onto the Lake Alexandrina Road and then a final 1.5Kms on a gravel road to car park which is under the shade of the willow trees by lake. The best time to visit here is autumn (late March / April) when you can enjoy the beautiful colours of the trees that surround both the lakes’ which creates this green and yellow…