Walking New Zealand October 2025

In a recent court case, the Supreme Court has confirmed that iwi and hapū can be granted customary marine title over navigable riverbeds where they form part of the marine and coastal area. In the case of Whakatōhea Kotahitanga Waka (Edwards) and Others v Ngāti Ira o Waioweka and Others, the Court found that the Coal Mines Acts of 1979 and 1903 did not extinguish Māori customary rights to the beds of navigable rivers. The court concluded that “the beds of navigable rivers form part of the common marine and coastal area as defined in the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011, and [customary marine title] recognition orders may extend to them”. It is important to note that none of this changes people's public access rights to the…

Visitors can now book the iconic Waihohonu and Mangatepopo huts and experience a summer taster of the Tongariro Northern Circuit while Oturere Hut is rebuilt. Both huts have mattresses, water supply, toilets, heating, and cooking facilities, and Waihohonu Hut will have full-time wardens through the summer. DOC Tongariro Senior Ranger Heritage and Visitors Jenny Hayward says it's a great opportunity for families to have overnight adventures in one of New Zealand's most famous natural environments. “These are both quite accessible locations to get outside and connect with nature,” she says. “A young family might tackle the easy 20-minute walk to Mangatepopo for their first hut stay. “Alternatively, it's little more than 15 kilometres from Whakapapa Village to Waihohonu Hut, a nice manageable challenge on a well-formed track.” Both Waihohonu and…

Bream Bay locals have held a ceremony recently to turn the first sod for the long-anticipated shared path connecting Marsden Cove to the Ruakākā retail district. Local residents, business owners, and trail builders gathered to commence the project. The shared path will provide a safe, scenic, and enjoyable route for pedestrians and cyclists between their homes and local businesses. The project is part of the wider Northland Regional Walking and Cycling Project, where the Outdoor Access Commission (Herenga a Nuku) is a leading partner. Anderson has been supporting the project with advice about public access. Now that construction has begun, he looks forward to seeing the path built and local people walking and biking on it.…

A new self-guided cycle from Australian Cycle Tours traverses the southern coast and up to one of Australia's best known natural landmarks, The Twelve Apostles. Launching this September, The Great Ocean Road Cycle itinerary offers a new way to experience Victoria's coastal route. Designed for confident riders, the seven day journey offers the freedom of selfguided travel with details taken care of, including accommodation, daily luggage transfers, and a navigation app. The trip begins inland on the volcanic plains of Camperdown, linking the Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail and the Twelve Apostles Trail, a newly developed path through native bush and farmland. The route then descends toward the coast, joining the Great Ocean Road. Bookings are now open for September 2025 through to December 2026. australiancycletours.com.au…

Intrepid Travel has a new premium walking and trekking trip range for travellers seeking a higher end adventure traversing some of the world's best hiking trails. Led by Intrepid's most experienced local leaders, Intrepid's Premium spans five continents and ranges from three to nine days. The 10 new Premium trips feature unforgettable hikes through Italy, Madeira, Vietnam, Nepal, Morocco, Peru, Jordan and the United States. Since its 2022 launch, Premium has become Intrepid's fastest growing travel style, while sales of its walking and trekking range have surged nearly ninefold. The new range blends day hikes with elevated experiences to meet this growing demand. Erica Kritikides, general manager of experiences at Intrepid Travel, says the range is designed for travellers who are eager to take on the challenge of some of…

One of my favourite places to walk or cycle is the Otago Central Rail Trail and autumn is the most colourful time to experience it. In mid May, I walked the section Galloway to Chatto Creek near Alexandra, a distance of 10 kms. This section takes you through rural farmland and a typical Central Otago schist rock and wild thyme landscape offering scenic views of the Manuherikia Valley. It is a gentle climb all the way to Chatto Creek although the climb is barely noticeable. My support vehicle dropped me off on Galloway Road adjacent to the cute blue Galloway station building, once the ladies waiting room at the former railway station, its wooden picket gate entry flanked by two slabs of schist. These slabs were once used as fence…