Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i Walking New Zealand

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is trialing a car parking fee at the White Horse Hill car park in Aoraki/ Mount Cook National Park, and Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) is urging DOC to ensure the proposed system does not unfairly penalise backcountry users. White Horse Hill is a key departure point for both day visitors and multi-day trampers. While FMC acknowledges the need to manage growing congestion, particularly from day use, it stresses that backcountry users—who make up only a small fraction of the total visitors—must not bear the brunt of a problem they are not causing. FMC has provided feedback to DOC and looks forward to reviewing the proposed pricing model once it becomes available. Successful implementation of this trial will depend on a clear and cost-effective plan. There…

The Wairarapa is a geographical region located in the southeastern corner of the North Island, east of metropolitan Wellington and south-west of the Hawke's Bay Region. The region is referred to as The Wairarapa, particularly when used after a preposition (e.g., locals will say they live “in the Wairarapa”, and travel “to” and “from the Wairarapa”) It is named after its larg est lake, Lake Wairarapa. The name Wairarapa means “glistening waters” in the Māori language. According to some oral histories, the Polynesian explorer Kupe named the wetlands after touching down in the area several times. According to other oral histories, explorer Haunui named the wetlands after the way the lake appeared to glisten from the Remutaka Ranges to the west. The Wairarapa is shaped like a rectangle, about 130km…

UTracks has opened bookings for its 2026 Coast to Coast walking tours, including a new 10 day Best of the Coast to Coast in Comfort & Guided itinerary. This comes as walkers prepare to experience the trail's recent upgrades for the first time, following its National Trail designation. The new guided option offers highlights of the classic 309km route, from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay, across three national parks, with enhanced accommodation, expert guidance and extras like a castle stay and Victorian steamboat cruise on Lake Ullswater. The Comfort & Guided version will suit travellers who want to experience the most impressive stretches of the walk without committing to the full 309 kilometres. The 10-day guided itinerary includes carefully selected sections of the trail, boutique accommodation with ensuite rooms…

It is remarkable that one gem of a lake, the largest on the West Coast at 40 sq km, could be missed over all of our road trips to remote corners of the South Island to seek out the best walks. But because the Transalpine Railway through Arthur's Pass and the Otira Tunnel stops at Moana on its way to Greymouth every day, it makes for easy, comfortable and scenic access from Christchurch. That's how we happened to spend a few days there, enjoying clear skies and developing a strong urge to explore the local short walks. The three walks we did all begin at the western end of town where the main street through the town crosses the railway on a bridge and loops back along the lakeshore. The…

Walking access to one of Coromandel's most picturesque bays is set to be restored, with DOC confirming it will repair the track to Waimata Gemstone Bay. Tracks to Gemstone and Stingray bays were damaged in the same February 2023 extreme weather events which resulted in the extended closure of walking access to Mautohe Cathedral Cove. DOC's Coromandel Operations Manager Nick Kelly says DOC has worked hard to assess the tracks and was pleased to find a good solution for Gemstone. “A repair project will see a reroute of the existing track and a new 40 metre section constructed in time for the summer visitor season, all going to plan. “We've explored a couple of options to reinstate access to Waimata Gemstone Bay and we've chosen what we consider to be…

Only a short drive off the Pacific Highway from Coffs Harbour, the Forest Sky Pier at Niigi Niigi - Sealy Lookout sits within a flora reserve in Orara East State Forest, part of the amazing State Forests of the Coffs Coast, on Gumbayggirr country. A 10-minute drive from Coffs Harbour up through banana plantations reaches the lookout, it's open to vehicles during daylight hours, and your visit is free. Here, the Forest Sky Pier offers magnificent coastal views over the city of Coffs Harbour and up and down the coastline. There are walking tracks through the rainforest, ranging from one to three hours, and picnic tables and toilets are provided. A covered picnic shelter is available for those with mobility issues, and the Forest Sky Pier is accessible (no steps)…

Almost 670,000 bednights were booked at DOC huts, campsites and Great walks between December 2024 and February 2025, bringing in more than $13 million according to DOC's latest visitor insights. “It's fabulous to see so many people getting out into nature and making the most of conservation areas and facilities like campsites, huts and tracks,” says DOC Heritage and Visitors Director Catherine Wilson. “Huts and campsite fees ensure people make a fair contribution when they stay in these places and help keep facilities available into the future.” DOC today released its summer visitor insights report looking at the busiest months to identify visitor needs and any issues. DOC's visitor insights reports inform staff about who's getting out in nature, where they are going and how they rate their experiences. This…

As Italy celebrates the 550th anniversary of the birth of artist Michelangelo in Tuscany, a short film showcasing the allure of a walking holiday in the region has been released by European selfguided hiking tour operator, On Foot Holidays. On Foot Holidays’ seven night walk through Tuscany's hills, medieval hamlets, vineyards and avenues of cypress trees is one of its most popular routes. This inspired the UK operator to make a 4.5 minute video about it. The inn-to-inn walk begins in the southern Tuscan city of Siena and ends in the hilltop town of Montepulciano. Highlights include local cuisine, Tuscan wines, visits to the abbeys of Monte Oliveto and Sant’ Antimo and the ancient thermal baths of Bagno Vignoni. Walkers also visit the town of Pienza, a World-Heritage site famous…

The Wairarapa Walking Festival returns for its fifth year from 14–23 November. Participants are invited to discover the region's varied landscapes and rich heritage through a curated programme of guided walks. From coastal panoramas and regenerating forests to working farmland and historic townships, participants will have the opportunity to encounter native flora and fauna, explore active farms, learn from local experts, and enjoy experiences that celebrate the region's food, wine, and rich stories. The festival is grounded in the principles of ako, hōpara, and hono-learning, exploring, and connecting. Each walk is designed to reflect these values, developing a deeper appreciation of local ecosystems, cultural and historical narratives, and community connections. With more than 25 walks on offer, the programme caters to a wide range of interests and abilities. Thanks to…

A favourite walk is along the Walk/cycle way in Karangahake Gorge, that follows the old railway line beside the Ohinemuri River between Waihi and Paeroa. This well maintained trail is a combination of natural beauty, and gold mining and railway history. One of the most interesting and scenic sections of this path, is between Waikino Railway Station and the ruins of Woodstock battery in the middle of the gorge. Mostly flat, you don't need to be super fit to enjoy this walk. We started at Waikino Railway Station, which is an interesting building, full of information about this area at its peak of production. Walking through a tunnel under SH2, and over a footbridge across the Ohinemuri River, we soon reached the’ Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway’, which is also a…

Camp Saddle Walk is located in the Craigieburn Forrest Park, some 110km northwest of Christchurch, which shares parts of its border with its more famous neighbours of Castle Hill and Arthur's Pass. The Valley to Valley walk entrance is located in the northeast section of Craigieburn Forest Park, just 15 minutes north of Castle Hill village and around 90 minutes from Christchurch. After turning off State Highway 73 onto the Mistletoe Flat campsite / Broken River Ski Field access road, the parking is 100 metres off the main road along with a shelter, camping area, information board and nearby toilets. Although the surrounding Craigieburn Ranges are steep and rugged, this circular walk of 14km takes you from Broken River via the high point of Camp Saddle, back down into Craigieburn…

On 20th July 2025, 93 people (members, retired members and guests) of the Auckland Natural History Walking Club met at a Kumeu venue to celebrate 100 years of walking and friendship. They were there to share memories of the many wonderful walks the group has enjoyed, experiencing the forests, lakes, rivers and coastlines and the trees, plants and birdlife of the greater Auckland area, and further afield. Marguerite Crooke's niece, Ruth Lyons travelled from the South Island to speak at the 100-year gathering, sharing her memories of her aunt and the Crookes family. Members of the club, one of whom has been a member for 49 years, also shared their experiences and adventures while walking with the club. In 1925, Marguerite Winifred Crookes (1899–1991), a botanist at Auckland University, founded…

There is plenty of picturesque, changing scenery to feast your eyes on when walking on the new shared pathway between Wood-ville to Ashhurst beside the Manawatu Tararua Highway You certainly do not get the chance to see it all when driving on the motorway. Bearing in mind my age (almost 86 years), plus my short legs, it took me an hour to reach the first lookout point. However, I made plenty of stops enroute to capture on camera the many interesting scenes, whilst also pausing to speak to the numerous walkers, runners and cyclists coming from the Ashhurst end. Some parents were pushing pushchairs with their wee ones lapping it all up. Multiple pools and plantings awaiting the arrival of birdsong and other sounds of nature (eg frogs/ insects) in…