Walking New Zealand July 2025

A new outback experience along the Coral Coast in Western Australia is provided by Proudback’s enhanced Adventurer and Explorer tours; now including the Kennedy Range National Park loop track. The 11-night Adventurer tour takes travellers from Perth / Boorloo to the Ningaloo Reef, while the Explorer tour is a 12-night expedition from Perth to the Coral Coast, visiting Shark Bay and Dirk Hartog Island. Both tours offer the chance to traverse the plateau of the Kennedy Range, located a full day’s drive northeast of Perth. Proudback leads adventureseekers on immersive four-wheel-drive journeys, with training provided before departure. Each tour includes full catering and comfortable swags, with nights sleeping beneath the stars.…

Ongoing concerns among landowners about liability for injuries on their land during recreational activities have been addressed by the High Court’s decision in the case of Whakaari Management Ltd v WorkSafe. The court confirmed that landowners are not responsible for risks associated with recreational activities. This ruling comes after a troubling trend of landowners blocking public access because they misunderstood the Health and Safety at Work Act. The Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust (ACAT) played a pivotal role, intervening in the appeal and representing the voice of outdoor recreationists. The court decision underscores the importance of accessible outdoor spaces while acknowledging the tragic events on Whakaari/White Island.…

The Outdoor Access Commission Northland field advisor attended a karakia this week to bless the start of a boardwalk construction for Ngā Papa Pa Orooro, a Ngāti Hine-led walking and cycling project in Kawakawa. This boardwalk is the final phase of a larger wetland restoration project led by Ngāti Hine that has been going on for more than two years with the support of Jobs for Nature and DOC. The Outdoor Access Commission has been involved for over a year, supporting the boardwalk team with access issues. The boardwalk traverses DOC land, unformed legal roads, and Kiwi Rail lands. It also intersects the Heritage Railway and the Twin Coast Cycleway. Successfully restoring the native wetlands has been a source of pride for the young people involved, and The Outdoor Access…

The opening of New Western Sydney International Airport late next year is expected to be a boon for the Blue Mountains region. Louise Clifton, general manager of Blue Mountains Tourism, says the journey by train will be about one and a half hours with the trip by car being slightly quicker. ‘It means that people can come straight to the Blue Mountains and chill out,’ she adds. She says a recent addition which has quickly grown in popularity is the Grand Cliff Walk, an 18 kilometre excursion that goes through a number of villages. ‘You could do it a day but most people take two and stay a night somewhere like Leura, Katoomba or Wentworth Falls.’ Clifton points out that a number of companies – including Blue Mountains Adventure Company…

Walking is a fun way to improve physical and mental health, and there are scientific studies regularly being published to back this up. In terms of physical health, one study found that people who were experiencing back pain who walked at least three times a week had a lower risk of the pain recurring. Another study looked at the benefits of Nordic walking, a style of walking where you use poles to engage the upper body. The study found that for people with coronary artery disease, after doing Nordic walking for 12 weeks increased their heart function the most compared to others who did different forms of exercise. And while there are many recommendations about the distance you need to walk to see health impacts, a recent analysis of multiple…

Acrisp, sunny autumn day is the perfect invitation to explore the Tawa Loop Walk in the Manawatū Gorge, just a short drive from Palmerston North. Our experience on this track was a blend of natural beauty, local history, and community spirit-an ideal escape for anyone seeking a taste of the region’s wild heart. The Tawa Loop Track starts at the Ashhurst end of Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge, about 12 km (20 minutes) east of Palmerston North. Parking is available on Napier Road, Aokautere, with the carpark open from early morning until evening, depending on the season. The walk branches off the main Manawatū Gorge Track about 500 meters from the carpark, leading you into the lush embrace of native bush. The Tawa Loop is well-maintained and clearly signposted, making…