Walking New Zealand June 2025

World Journeys has savings of up to 20% on select departures of two of its most popular Croatia packages. The eight-day Bike & Cruise Croatia package from Split, returning to Split, combines cruising between islands, with daily cycling routes to experience the destination up-close – savings are available in June or August 2025. The eight-day Deluxe Croatia Cruise explores Croatia’s islands aboard a deluxe superior ship from Split to Dubrovnik and back to Split, with guided walking tours and sightseeing en route – savings are available from 26 April to 27 August 2025. Savings apply on select dates only, vary per departure, and are subject to availability.…

The Salt Path is the profound true story of husband and wife, Raynor and Moth Winn’s 630-mile trek along the beautiful but rugged Cornish, Devon and Dorset coast line. After be in g forcibly removed from their home, they make the desperate decision to walk in the hope that, in nature, they will find solace and a sense of acceptance. With depleted resources, only a tent and some essentials between them, every step along the path is a testament to their growing strength and determination. The Salt Path is a journey that is exhilarating, challenging, and liberating in equal measure. A portrayal of home, how it can be lost and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways. The best selling book by Raynor Winn. is now in a film showing in…

A six-person hut in near Maruia on the South Island’s West Coast has received a major makeover, with a refurbished roof, new piles and a smart paint job. The work was planned and led by ranger Matt Ainge, with team members Ben Pigott, Mike Detlaff, David Deck, Darrell Haworth (all DOC staffers from a range of teams) and John Edwards (volunteer). Matt says, “the entire objective of this work was to protect this hut for generations to come, while leaving the hut in the original condition as we had found it.” The hut was built in the 1960’s. Over the years it has received minimal maintenance, so a major spruce up was required. The job required the team to entirely re-pile the hut and replace almost all the bearers as…

Set within a 28-acre heritage estate in Blackheath, Parklands Blue Mountain’s new premium Lakeside Canopy tents offer a secluded hideaway in the gardens of the estate, positioned alongside the property’s private lake. This is positioned as elevated glamping with the trimmings of a hotel stay, including Parkland’s luxury day spa. Each Lakeside Canopy has indoor/ outdoor floorplans across 53sqm with ensuite bathrooms, beds, reversecycle air-conditioning and built-in kitchenettes. Guests can spend time on the Canopy’s sun deck, and enjoy evenings beneath the stars by the Canopy’s outdoor firepit. An overnight stay in Parklands’ Lakeside Canopies includes either breakfast inroom or in the main homestead. Guests Glamping in Blue Mountains also have full use of the property’s facilities and the guest lounge located in the main lodge surrounded by the estate’s…

What is happening with access to public conservation land in your region? Despite encouraging news about recent changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act and the launch of a new access case map by the New Zealand Access Commission, access challenges continue across the country. The Federated Mountain Clubs has long been involved in access issues nationwide, and they rely on your support to stay well-informed. If you come across any barriers to accessing public conservation land in your region, please get in touch and let us know. Please send your observations, concerns or closure reports to eo@fmc.org.nz…

This year at the Waiheke Walking Festival, we chose two walks displaying the amazing strides the community have made, towards a pest free island. For years, many groups have been working hard at pest control, setting traps and educating the public on the harm that domestic cats and dogs can do to our native birds. In 2018 all these groups were amalgamated under one umbrella – Te Korowai o Waiheke. The main goal of this group is to totally eliminate stoats, the worst pest, and make Waiheke the world’s first predator free urban island. This requires the whole community working together, with a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, who meet regularly with technical advisor experts. By the beginning of 2025, 200,000 stoat traps have been set and serviced high…