Walking and trekkingPhotographing Mount Ngauruhoe, Tongariro National Park, North IslandNew Zealand offers some of the most enjoyablewalking in the world. With characteristicunderstatement, New Zealanders call it‘tramping’, and it is possibly the nation’s favouritepastime and with such a wealth of naturalsplendour it is hardly surprising. It is perfectlyfeasible to take yourself off into the wildernesson a day walk, but it is the longer multi-daytramps that really get to the heart of the country.Selected routes offer the option of beingaccompanied by a local guide who will helpunlock the secrets of the endemic flora andfauna you encounter. On such organised treks,accommodation is in simple yet comfortablelodges, often in bunk-style rooms, and heartymeals are provided at the end of every day. Inmost instances your luggage is transported foryou so all you have to carry is drinking waterand your camera. Track options cater for allages and fitness levels, and the only prerequisiteis a trusted pair of walking boots.Trails are graded by the Department ofConservation (DOC) and you are free to decidewhether to set off solo or join a guided group.The DOC is the central government organisationcharged with conserving the natural and historicheritage of New Zealand. They look after andmaintain the tramping trails, ensuring they arekept in good condition.Great WalksNew Zealand has several dedicated ‘GreatWalks’ as well as numerous other walking trails.Here we have outlined some of ourpersonal favourites:1 Tongariro Northern CircuitSnow-capped volcanoes and craters, alpinelakes, pristine rainforests, sparkling rivers,dramatic waterfalls and astonishing wildlife;Tongariro National Park has it all. This 41kilometre track, graded as medium, is widelythought to be the best of the North Island’s fineselection of routes. Beginning and ending atWhakapapa village, the trail is well marked andeasy to follow as it winds its way around thebase of Mount Ngauruhoe. For those withlimited time, the one-day Tongariro Crossingencompasses many of the highlights and can becompleted in seven to eight hours. It is widelyregarded as one of the most rewarding daywalks in the world. Please see page 25 forfurther details about the Tongariro region.Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough SoundsTree fern, Abel Tasman Coastal Track2 Abel Tasman Coastal TrackThe vast native forests of the Abel TasmanNational Park are ringed by iconic golden-sandbeaches and crystal clear seas, and enjoy one ofthe sunniest, warmest climates in New Zealand.This three to five day 51 kilometre tramp takesyou along the winding coastline past gloriousbays with plenty of opportunities for swimming.This is the easiest of our favourite tramps,suitable for all levels of experience. With a goodnetwork of local water taxis operating along theroute, it is very simple to choose sections asday walks, returning to your accommodationeach evening.64
3 Queen Charlotte TrackAt the northern tip of the South Island, thisstunning walking trail through the MarlboroughSounds is renowned for its panoramic coastalviews, native bush forest and historic landmarks.Sixty seven kilometres in length and graded asmedium, the track can be completed in fourdays, taking you into secluded inlets and alongridges between the Queen Charlotte andKenepuru Sounds. There are no huts along thisroute; accommodation is in lodges or hostelswhich also serve perfectly as bases from whichto access sections of the track for day walks, andyou can return to your start point via water taxiat the end of the day. This ridge-top walkwayaffords incredible panoramic views over the baysand forests, with side tracks plunging back downto sparkling coves.4 Milford TrackThis impressive five-day adventure tramp fromTe Anau to Milford Sound is renowned for itsglacially carved valleys, waterfalls, primevalforests and alpine flowers. It is always wise toexpect rain when in Fiordland, but you shouldn’tbe disappointed when it comes: the result isspectacular. Small streams become ragingtorrents in a matter of minutes before the sunreappears to a glistening, revitalised world.A total of 53 kilometres, and generally easywith one demanding climb on the third day,the Milford Track is a popular guided option orcan be explored independently. Our specialistswould be happy to provide further details.5 Hollyford TrackOften thought of as one of the very bestmountain-to-sea walks, the 56 kilometreHollyford Track is graded as easy to medium andtakes four to five days. Starting in the ancientbeech forests of the Southern Alps, the trackfollows the stunning Hollyford River throughdense rainforest down to the Tasman Sea.The diversity of the scenery is staggering,with glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, sand dunes,snow-capped mountains and surf all in oneunforgettable walk. We highly recommendexperiencing this track as a guided trip,incorporating jet boating, a scenic flight and acruise on Milford Sound at the end of the walk.‘Tramping’ through dense rainforest6 Kaikoura Wilderness WalkTaking you deep into the privately owned PuhiPeaks Nature Reserve, this exclusive small groupguided walk combines a wilderness experiencewith the comforts of lodge accommodation in anoutstanding alpine environment. The reserve is aprotected haven for a diverse array of rare andendangered native species, in particular Hutton’sshearwater sea bird. With a maximum group sizeof just 12 and highly knowledgeable guides whocan really help you to appreciate this pristinewilderness, the two or three day treks here arehighly rewarding.Abel Tasman Coastal TrackFiordlandNationalPark4Tasman SeaMount CookNationalPark5Queenstown7Lake WakatipuTe AnauS o u t h er n A lMountCook7 Routeburn TrackThe popular Routeburn Track traverses 32kilometres of wild and scenic mountain countrybetween the Hollyford and Dart valleys at thebase of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Thismedium trail passes through two national parks,Fiordland and Mount Aspiring, and takes youinto a world of alpine basins, tumbling waterfalls,deep forests and to the shores of shimmeringlakes. The trek takes three days to complete andtransport options are available from Te Anau orQueenstown if required, although sections canbe accessed as day-walks from Glenorchy.Routeburn Track, near QueenstownChristchurchAuckland2 TasmanAbel Tasman BayNational ParkNelson 3Blenheimp sCanterburyBight6KaikouraCook StraitTongariroNationalPark1RotoruaWELLINGTONPACIFIC OCEANTaupoLake TaupoBay of PlentyNapierHawke’sBayHollyford Track, Fiordland National ParkFoveaux Strait0 80 miles0 145 kilometres Milford Track, FiordlandNational Parkwww.audleytravel.com/newzealand l 01993 838 820 l Walking & Trekking 65
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