281 AUGUST 2021

RECREATION WALKING and CYCLING TRAILS

AUGUST 2021 ISSUE NO 281

New Zealand Walk:

New Zealand Walk:

Hooker Valley Track

offers awe inspiring landscapes

Historic trails across KaimaiMamaku Park New Zealand Walk:

Bannockburn Sluicings NZ”s own ‘wild west’

Australian Walks:New Zealand Walk:

Footing it in Tassie New Zealand Walks:

Cable Bay Walkway

for coastal views

NZ $8.50 inc GST

New Zealand Walk/Bike

Walking and biking around Napier www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

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2 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

CONTENTS

Issue 281 - 2021

2 Queen Charlotte Track - Wilderness Guides 3 Contents 6 New Zealand Walk: Bannockburn Sluicings NZ’s

own ‘wild west’ 8 New Zealand Walk: Cable Bay Walkway for coastal views 11 New Zealand Walk/Bike: Walking and biking

around Napier 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walk: Hooker Valley Track offers awe

inspiring landscapes 23 Need2Know: Asking politely will protect outdoor

acccess for others 24 Subscription page 25 Need2Know: Locked gates over unformed legal roads 25 Need 2Know: Walking as a sport in 1878 26 My Favourite Walk: Taking time on the Tongariro 28 Te Araroa : Q&A withTe Araroa walker and Wel-

lington trustee John Craig 29 Banks Track 30 New Zealand Walk: Ghosts of the past: Historic

trails across the Kaimai-Mamaku Park 33 Shared Pathway: Unique boardway opened in

Waitara 37 My Favourite Walk: Three tramps in the Ruahine

Forest Park 40 Australian Walks: Footing it in Tassie 42 Index of previous 14 issues 43 Coming Events: New Zealand 47 Coming Events: Australia 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 Pak A Roo Jackets 52 Taupo events

WALKING New Zealand

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20

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Published Monthly

PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Frank Goldingham: Phone 06-358-6863 CONTRIBUTORS: Bob Hodgson, Judy Eva, Stephen Day, Barb Lowther, Phillip Donnell, Yvonne van Eerden, and Dorothy Johnstone ADVERTISING MANAGER: Frank Goldingham 0800 walking (925-546) 027-274-0726 Email: walkingnz@xtra.co.nz COMING EVENTS ADVERTISING: Frank Goldingham 0800-walking (925-546) Email walkingnz@xtra.co.nz SUBSCRIPTIONS: Phone 0800-925-546 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: New Zealand Residents; 24 issues $159.00 posted, 12 issues $84.50 posted, 6 issues $51.00 posted DIGITAL $29.00, 12 issues Australia: 12 issues: $122.00 Rest of World: $138.00 NEWSAGENT DISTRIBUTION: Ovato Ltd WALKING NEW ZEALAND LTD, P O Box 1922, Palmerston North Telephone 06-358-6863 - Fax 06-358-6864 E-Mail: walkingnz@xtra.co.nz

Website: www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

The information and views expressed by contributors are not necessarily agreed to by the editor or publisher, and while every effort will be made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility will be taken by the editor or publisher for inaccurate information.

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

8 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

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Rottnest Island hiking tours

The Hike Collective, a Perth-based tour company in Australia offering locals and visitors guided tours of some of Perth’s best hiking trails, has just launched a new Samphire Rottnest Trail Retreat.

The three-day, two-night experience offers guests the opportunity to encounter the attractions that make Rottnest Island such an iconic WA destination.

The retreat includes two nights, twin-share accommodation at the new Samphire Rottnest, along with gourmet lunches, bespoke dining experiences, an evening cocktail masterclass, and a long table banquet at the resort’s signature restaurant, Lontara. The new tour will form part of the Hike Collective’s Signature Trail Retreat Collection. The three-day all-inclusive retreat starts from $1,195, departing on June 27, 2021.

New Zealanders recognise the benefits of getting active

More New Zealanders see walking and cycling as a great way of getting around our cities, with 71% of urban New Zealanders using a bike or walking at least once a week according to the latest Waka Kotahi ‘Understanding attitudes and perceptions of cycling and walking’ survey.

The survey is conducted annually with people from six cities. It provides a good overview on whether New Zealand is moving towards a more active way of moving around our towns and cities.

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South Auckland shared path gets the thumbs up

Those looking to bike, walk or scooter between Takanini and Papakura in southern Auckland can now take in picturesque views of the Manukau Harbour as they travel along a new shared path.

The Southern Path which connects communities along the Southern Motorway was officially opened earlier this month.

To celebrate the new path, social enterprise group, Got to Get Out on behalf of Auckland Transport, organised its biggest ride to date, with 55 riders taking to the path to try it out.

Event organiser and founder of Got to Get Out, Robert Bruce, said: “I was amazed when over 50 people rsvp’d to attend. Clearly Aucklanders were excited to ride the path after watching it be built.

“Feedback on the day was that the path is beautifully made and easy to ride, with awesome features such as the spiral bridge.”

Nature-loving Robert also enjoyed the native planting along the path, that brings a softer edge to the path.

NZ Transport Agency National Manager Infrastructure Delivery Andy Thackwray said: “This path provides a missing link across the harbour and connects in with a city-wide cycling and walking network being developed, which encourages communities to use more active modes when travelling shorter distances.”

Up until now walking and cycling in the area has been limited, with few facilities and safety challenges including a lack of safe motorway crossing points.

The new path provides more reliable and safe transport options and is expected to be a popular recreational choice for locals, getting them out and about for exercise with their friends and whānau.

Above: Cyclists on opening day try out the new pathway.

Photo byChristopher Chase photography

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walk talk Colourful new cycle connection opens in Christchurch

Active and POP website goes life

By Anja Morris Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition, affecting about one in two women. Fit, active women too!

Mothers, sisters, wives, partners, our daughters. It affects our family, work and social life. And yet, due it’s location in the body, an intimate area, it is not talked about!

Over the last 12 months, I’ve been in contact with a range of pelvic physio specialists, as well as active women around New Zealand who have experienced a prolapse.

The response was overwhelming; women told their stories, shared their experiences, and offered advice on something they thought would never happen to them.

The result of our collaboration is the Active and POP website: activeandpop.org.nz Together, we talk about POP to raise awareness and remove the stigma. We provide links to helpful resources. Most importantly, we want women to know that they are not alone and that they can live an active life again! Happy tramping!

Take care on winter walks

Winter has arrived. It’s chilly out there and the evenings are getting darker. As always, it’s important to prepare for freezing weather, even if it’s sunny days on the forecast.

Make a checklist and ensure you have packed all the right tramping gear to stay safe, dry and warm. Bring plenty of food and water, and don’t forget those extra layers and a first-aid kit. Take extra precautions around water at this time of year, particularly when crossing rivers. If in doubt, find an alternative route or wait for the water level to drop. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

A colourful cycle link on Ferry Road is making it easier and safer for people to get into the city centre by bike.

The trial cycle link has been funded through Waka Kotahi’s Innovating Streets for People pilot programme and provides a connection between the Heathcote Expressway major cycle route and the separated cycleway on St Asaph Street.

It was officially opened today by Transport Minister Michael Wood and Christchurch City Council Urban Development and Transport Committee Chair Councillor Mike Davidson.

Minister Wood says the new Ferry Road cycle connection is vibrant and a great example of the work that Waka Kotahi is doing with councils around the country to quickly make streets more liveable.

“We’re giving Councils the resources to trial new ways of making our streets safer for kids and commuters to get around. Already there are 27 Innovating Streets projects under way and a further 46 on the way across the country.

“Trialling these projects gives communities the opportunity to experience the benefits sooner and allows them to give practical feedback on any potential permanent changes,’’ Minister Wood says.

The Ferry Road cycle link will be trialled for about a year, after which the Council will look at constructing a permanent cycle link.

Feedback gathered during the trial will help to inform the design for the permanent project.

Cr Davidson says the trial is a great way to demonstrate how the cycleway will work for people working or studying in the city or people commuting through.

“We’re using paint, planters and temporary separators to trial the new road layout. We expect to improve the final design based on the feedback we receive while this trial is in place,'' Cr Davidson says.

You can now view and enjoy the latest issue of

Walking New Zealand

magazine online for $2.50 at

http://www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

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NewZealand ZealandWalk Walk New

Bannockburn Sluicings NZ’s own Above and opposite page above: The barren landscape on the uphill track at the Bannockburn Sliuicings. Historic Reserve.The landscape devoid of any vegatation.

6 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

T

he Bannockburn Sluicings Historic Reserve, just a few kilometres south-west of Cromwell can’t be experienced from a distance. You have to walk it to understand it.

What looks desolate from the entrance turns into a rough, raw and rewarding walk through a valley of caves, tunnels and rock tailings left untouched since abandoned by the last of the mining men.

This vanished landscape is New Zealand’s own wild west: The Bannockburn Sluicings are the scarred landscapes of a short-lived gold mining era.

This is a desert made by water, large scale water blasting left a landscape transformed by human kind s pursuit of possibility.

As an iconic heritage site, the www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

New New Zealand Zealand Walk Walk

Visit the remains of the dams, water races, rock tailings and caves left untouched since the last of the gold miners. This spectacular man-made landscape can be explored on foot or bike via various tracks.

History and culture As you drive towards the Bannockburn Sluicings, set the tone with some sombre western tunes because what you’re about to see ain’t pretty.

It’s tragically beautiful.

This desert made by water is not a natural site, but the 150-year-old aftermath of gold miners’ dreams, and a technique known as ‘hydraulic sluicing’ where water was blasted at the hills to release the gold,

to get to Bannockburn. This site can be accessed from Felton Road.

For those with little time, there are vantage points that can be reached by car, and walks that take just 10 minutes.

If you’ve got more time to spare, trace the water source back up to the Menzies Dam in Stewart Town.

There are remains of a stone cottage, an early 19th century orchard, and great views across Cromwell and Baileys Gully.

Know before you go This is a very dry area with no water on the tracks - take water with you.

There are no designated campsites or huts in this area - do not camp on private land.

Remember that all rocks, historic Fact file artefacts (including earth and stone Bannockburn Loop Track works), native plants and animals Length: 3.5 km are protected on public land - tread Track class: Easy walking track carefully and take only photos.

Time: Allow one hour 30 minutes., Dogs allowed on a leash only Above left and right: The infornation Getting there Travel 6 km south-west through kiosk and signs at the start of the Cromwell, and cross Lake Dunstan track.

.

‘wild west’ shock of the old will take you to the edge of understanding, and give you a chance to reflect that it was people who made this place. Life today is still about prospecting and searching for the unknown. Venture into the Bannockburn Sluicings and pursue the possibilities.

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

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My Favourite Walk

Cable Bay Walkway for coastal views

By Yvonne van Eerden

T

he Cable Bay Walkway is 21 km north of Nelson and can also be started at Glenduan which is about 10 km north of Nelson. It is about a three hour one way tramp.

We were visiting Nelson and started at the Cable Bay end.

The weather was rather dull but no rain. There just seemed to be low cloud and fog hanging around but this did not deter us.

We headed up the steep hill and just took our time. We had glimpses of the scenery. It would have been spectacular if the sun was shining, but it was an incredible experience in the low cloud and fog. We could still get beautiful photos, this was

8 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

Above: Looking back at Cable Bay. Below left: Walking through a pine forest. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

My Favourite Walks

just a different tramp.

As this was a three hour tramp one way we thought we would walk for two hours and have lunch and then head back. (We had done a lot of tramping the previous days).

As we started climbing two of our group said they would go back as it Above left Going through farm gates.

Above right: Hiking in a fog patch.

Below left: The view from the top of the bluffs.

was a little slippery and would be ant walking. We even managed to see that we were walking rather difficult if we had along the bluffs as the sea to return the same way appeared at one stage. so they would go back The pastures were so green to Glenduan and walk and the cattle and sheep towards us, then the rest seemed to be fine with us of us could do the entire walking through as they did tramp. not even move away from us.

We carried on and kept We came to the 4WD track looking around to see as and entered the native forest much as we could as the which was so lush and green fog moved, there was no with huge ferns everywhere. wind at all and very pleas-

.

BE SET FREE

Great walking on the Pakihi and other tracks.

www.motutrails.co.nz

Facebook/Instagram: Motu Trails Cycleway email jim@motutrails.co.nz to have a brochure mailed to you free (NZ only) www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

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My Favourite Walk

Cable Bay Walkway for coastal views

As we progressed we realised we were in the pine forest and then we came up to a lookout where we meet the others in our group.

They had come in quite far as well and thought the lookout with the seating would be a great place for lunch, as they had also walked in for quite a distance considering they had a lot of uphill as well from the Glenduan side.

We had lunch together and then continued down to Glenduan. This was a very enjoyable walk and quite different with the low cloud and fog.

Above left: In a thick pine forest with ferns.

Above right: A flat section of the track.

Right: A fallen tree over the track.

Fact file

Cable Bay Walkway is 7.9km long.

Time: Allow four hours one way.

Physical difficulty: Moderate Getting there: The Walkway access is 15 minutes drive from Nelson at the southern end of the walkway that starts at the end of Airlie St, Glenduan. The drive between the start and the other end is 14 kilometers.

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www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

New Zealand Walk/Bike

By Barbz Lowther

Walking and biking around Napier

N

apier is a lovely place to Cape Kidnappers There are also trails following visit for a walking/biking the Tutaekuri, Tukituki and holiday. A shared Ngaruroro rivers. All are path runs from Bayview in well marked and maps are the north, to Clifton in the available from the Visitor south. It is equally good to Information Centre in town. walk or bike.

The river trails are perThere is also a wetlands haps not so interesting to loop with opportunities to walk with long stretches see lots of bird life – pied of flat, straight stop banks, stilts, spoon bills, herons, with unchanging scenery, apples or and godwits can be spotted.

From Clifton, you can organise a grapes.

Between the rivers and the track tractor ride to visit the Gannets at

.

is usually an area of trees and scrub, so there are not many river views.

It’s really cruisy to bike along, but a little bit monotonous when walking.

Using the Holiday Park at Bayview as a base, we spent four days exploring the area.

On our first day we biked through wetlands by the Ahuriri Estuary, and on to the coast, stopping at Perfume Point Reserve to see the enormous ‘Beach Chairs’.

Above: Dereck on a track along the stop banks.

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to subscribe to Walking New Zealand magazine Only $84.50 for 12 months

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

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New Zealand Walk/Bike

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New Zealand Walk/Bike

From there we biked into town ings, and in reserves, all the way to and along Ocean Beach enjoying the Waitangi Reserve. murals on the beach front, on buildThere, we explored Atea a Rangi, Opposite page - Above: Biking the celestial star compass, which from Awatoto to Clifton past ‘Atea a symbolises the navigational skills Rangi’ the celestrial compass which of early settlers.

At Awatoto we turned inland symbolises the navigation skills of and followed the Tutaekuri River early settlers. to Green Meadows. This was a very Middle: A wetlands area.

Below: Beautiful Autumn colours easy ride along stop banks, past on the winding coastal shared apple orchards and several bridges pathway between Napier and Clive. painted with interesting murals on

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Above left: Biking at Bayview north of Napier.

Above right: Looking towards Cape Kidnapper s.from the coastal pathway.

Below left: A sculpture along the ocean beach in Napier.

Below right: The pathway goes under a bridge. each support.

Reaching Taradale early afternoon, we stopped for a coffee and

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

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14 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

New Zealand Walk/Bike

Walking and biking around Napier

Above left: Barbz and Dereck on top of Te Mata Peak.

Above right: Brightly painted murals on a shelter along the pathway.

Below right: Walking up Te Mata Peak surrounded by “folded hills”. were shown a lovely winding trail connecting Taradale to Mission Estate Winery.

The trees were showing their best autumn colours, and a little creek ran under arched brick bridges. It was well used by both bikers and walkers and became our favourite section, to cut through.

At Mission Estate we stopped for a ‘Taste’ and had a really interesting hour or so, hearing the history of the mission from French beginnings to

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Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

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New Zealand Walk/Bike

present day achievements.

We continued north through the wetlands, and more bridges with beautiful murals, on the way back to Bayview.

Day 2 we drove down to Hastings and Havelock North and walked Te Mata Peak. What stunning countryside!

It was a beautiful sunny day and the views were magnificent with rolling hills forever. The park has lots of walking tracks and mountain bike trails, and a lovely cafe, with awesome views of the area from the deck.

We then drove back to Awatoto and finished the coastal section through Clive, Haumoana and Te Awanga, down to Clifton – the ‘Landscapes Ride’.

The next day was a wander in the wetlands in Ahuriri, followed by an easy bike along local paths, and onto the Puketapu Loop beside the Tutaekuri River. After a beer, we returned to Bayview.

On our last day we drove south to Roys Hill Reserve, where we began the wineries cycle trail. This was an interesting ride through Gimblett Gravels,and Bridge Pa, passing grapes, apples and several cellar doors open for tastings.

Before returning along the Ngaruroro River we biked through a 150

Walking and biking around Napier Above left: Looking down on a large apple orchard.

Below left: The pathway from Taradale to Mission Estate.

16 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

New Zealand Walk/Bike

Below left: A tree in Autumn colours near Taradale.

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

year old Oak Grove which was quite stunning. The trees were huge.

Next day we headed home. On the way we stopped at Opepe Bush Walk, on the Napier/Taupo Highway.

It’s only a half hour walk and has some magnificent rimu, matai, miro, totara and kaikatea.

The trail leads to a memorial for nine soldiers killed in an ambush

by Te kooti and his men. This little reserve is well worth a look.

After four days of walking, biking, coffees, wine and brilliant weather, we drove on home already planning our next adventure.

Above left: A pretty arched bridge.

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Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

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Photo Contest

We are looking for the best digital photos each month depicting walking Now the time to get your digital camera out or look through your digital images and enter the

Walking New Zealand Digital Photo Contest

The image could be a scenic scene, a walk on the beach with the dog, a bush walk, a street walk or anything walking that takes your fancy.

The rules are simply: there must be a person or persons walking in the picture either front, side or back on, and can be in the distance. We require an emailed image in high resolution mode, in jpeg format as an attachment, and NOT embedded in Word or in the email, and NOT a link to a website to be downloaded.

The subject line must have the words “Walking New Zealand Photo Contest” and the email must include the NAME, POSTAL ADDRESS and phone number of the person who took the photo and a small caption.

In this contest ONLY ONE emailed photo accepted per month. Entry in the contest automatically allows us to print the image. The person who has their photo published will receive a six month subscription or a renewal to Walking New Zealand magazine of six months. If a picture is chosen for the cover page the person will receive a 12 month subscription or renewal.

PHOTO CONTEST

Email your entries to: walkingnz@xtra.co.nz with s u b j e c t l i n e “ Wa l k i n g N e w Z e a l a n d P h o t o C o n t e s t ” Only EMAILED entries will be accepted.

Above: The stunning Hump Ridge Track. Photo by Jan Towers, Katikati.

Opposite page Above left: Topping up the water bottle on the Old Ghost Road. Photo by Sue Dinsdale, Mt Maunganui.

Above right: While visiting family in Tauranga we went for a delightful native bush walk at Hammonel Street Reserve. Photo taken by Heather Winter, Lumsden.

2005. Snow covered Ngauruhoe (2287m) is in the background The picture was taken by a German Tourist staying at the Mangatepopo Hut. Photo

by Mike Giri, Auckland.

Below right: The high road or the low road? On the Te Iringa track before we had to turn back due to massive slips finally making our progress impossible. Photo by Gail Francis, Ohauiti, Tauranga.

18 Walking NewZealand, Zealand, issue - 2021 Walking New issue no no 281281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Photo Contest

PHOTO CONTEST

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Walking Walking New New Zealand, Zealand, issue issue no no 281 281 -- 2021 2021

19

New Zealand Walk

Hooker Valley Track offers awe inspiring landscapes

A

very popular walk with both kiwis and overseas folk is the Hooker Valley Track, located in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in the Canterbury region.

Once there one can enjoy the aweinspiring landscapes of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana on one of New Zealands’s best day hikes - wind up the Hooker Valley past alpine streams and glaciers in the shadow of Aoraki/Mount Cook.

There are views of Mueller Glacier, Hooker Lake and Aoraki/Mount Cook, as well as the Mount Cook buttercup, the world’s biggest but-

20 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

tercup.

The track leads through the sacred Tōpuni area of the Hooker Valley, which has special significance and values to Ngāi Tahu iwi, towards Aoraki/Mount Cook.

From the first of three swing bridges along the way, enjoy the views over the Mueller Lake and listen for the rumbling of avalanches from the distant Mount Sefton. You may be able to spot them before they crash into the Mueller Glacier below.

After crossing the Hooker River, the track goes between old moraine ridges and humps.

From the second swing bridge, www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

New Zealand Walk

■

the vegetation changes to more open tussock and a wider valley floor.

The second swingbridge may close in high winds The second swing bridge may be closed during winds in excess of 80 k/hr and in significant flood events.

The second swing bridge in the

Above: Looking back at the Hooker Valley carpark. Right: Mt Cook.

Below right: The well formed track.

Opposite page left: A couple walk through an arch on the track.

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including including P&P P&P

ACR ResQLink PLB 375 ACR- ResQLink PLB - 375

Includes Free gifts with purchase including FREE 167 pice 1st aid$449 kit, LED torch, Only P&P SPECIAL HD Pouch ACR ResQLink PLB - 375and more!

Includes Free giftsawith Have Safepurchase and Happy Summer

COVER ALL YOUR BASES

$15 - 1 day

$15 - 1 day Now available in 41 outlets 3 days $40 -7 Available for sale/hire $30 $30 3 -days $15 $40- -17day days $30 Farm Safe and OSH are now pushing for for every week after $40 7 COVER ALL YOUR BASES $30 3 days days $30 for-- every week after all farmers who work on their own to $30 for every week after Now in 41inoutlets your first week of hire haveavailable one of these their safety kit COVER ALL YOUR BASES AvailableNow foravailable sale/hire in 41 outlets Ph (03) 226 6341 Farm Safe andAvailable OSH are nowfor pushing for sale/hire or (027) 412 2925 all farmers who work their to pushing for Farm Safeon and OSH own are now all farmers who work on have one of these in their safety kittheir own towww.locatorbeacons.co.nz have one of these in their safety kit

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

21

New Zealand Walk

Hooker Valley Track offers awe inspiring landscapes

Above: During the holiday season the track can be busy.

Below middle: Trees form an arch over the track.

Below: One of the three bridges on the walk.

Hooker Valley was severely damaged during a storm in March 2019.

There is erosion on both sides of the bridge which affects its structural integrity during high winds. Engineers have determined the bridge is completely safe when not affected by strong winds and flood events.

A third swing bridge then leads to the East Hooker and the source of the Hooker River.

The track ends with an amazing view over the iceberg-speckled Hooker Lake and up to majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.

The track at dawn gives you a view of the first rays of the sun creeping over the Southern Alps, including over New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Fact file

Getting there: The nearest towns are Aoraki Mt Cook village (2 km), Tekapo (96 km) and Twizel (56 km).

The track starts at the White Horse Hill Campground and car park at the end of Hooker Valley Road, 2km from the Hermitage.

Track length: 10 km return via same track Fitness required: Low Gradient: Flat Time: Allow Three hours return Track grade Easy: Walking track Dog access: No dogs allowed.

22 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

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Looking for Walking NZ magazine?

Below are a few of the stores that stock Walking New Zealand Magazine. If it is not there, ask the assistant as the store may have sold out and may be able to get the latest copy for you.

Asking politely will protect outdoor access for others

R

ic Cullinane says treat- says Cullinane.

“They may have conditions to proing farmers and landholders with respect is the best way tect their land, their animals or their family. Find out and abide by those to gain access to private land.

Cullinane is the chief execu- conditions. For instance, it’s not a tive | tumuaki of the Walking big deal to leave your dog at home, refrain from lighting fires or Access Commission staying on the track.”

Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa. He In some cases, it may be says that many farmers and sensible and polite to let the other landowners share adjacent landowner know their land with hunters or check in with them even and anglers. Most people if legal public access routes protect and grow this access that go through a farm. Many by treating farmers politefarms have unformed lely – asking for permission and respecting conditionsBy Stephen Day gal roads that the farmer may not be aware of. They of access.

But Cullinane says some farm- may have a more suitable track ers are fed up with a small minor- that does not follow the unformed ity of hunters shooting close to road that they’re happy for people buildings. Landowners are also to use. A quick conversation beforeannoyed with campervans getting hand will solve most problems, says stuck, people walking across private Cullinane.

The Commission publishes an land without asking, and people beOutdoor Access Code. The code exing rude or discourteous.

“Good behaviour promotes and plains people’s rights and responsiprotects access to the outdoors for all bilities when outdoors. It has specific advice for people with 4WDs, dogs of us.”

“Farmers who regularly face po- and guns.

Access to privately owned land is lite people walking across their land will continue to allow access next a privilege, not a right. Sometimes it summer and the summer after,” says is hard to find the right person to ask for permission. So, the Commission Cullinane.

New Zealanders have a lot of also offers free signs for landowners. public access to the outdoors that These signs mark access routes for they do not need to ask permission people to use when crossing landto use. This can include unformed holders’ properties. By showing an legal roads, easements and espla- approved route across a property, nade strips that cross farms. Where the signs can help reduce conflict these exist, they can give hunters, over public access to private land. anglers and others access to rivers, The signs also make it easy for landholders to provide their contact bush and lakes.

But where legal public access does details and list any conditions of not exist, people should always ask access. They show the willingness first. Many landholders will say ‘yes’ of landholders to make their land if people ask in advance and politely, available to the public. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

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24 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Need 2 Know

Locked gates over unformed legal roads

“The law is clear that landowners cannot put lock gates over unformed legal roads”, says Walking Access Commission chief executive Ric Cullinane. Landowners cannot put gates, locked or unlocked, on unformed legal roads without the permission of councils and if they do, the gate has to have a sign letting people know it continues to be public access.

The New Zealand Walking Access Commission Ara Hikoi Aotearoa is the Crown agent responsible for outdoor access issues.

Cullinane says the gate at the centre of the Mahia public access dispute is a shame.

“The council is doing a good job representing the law to the landowners. Locals and tourists have the right to walk freely on unformed legal roads.

Cullinane says the landowners are best to negotiate with locals and the council to find a solution that affirms that legal right but addresses some of the concerns the landowner might have.

“We have a lot of experience with these sorts of problems. There are often many other ways to address the concerns landowners have without removing people’s outdoor public access - these might involve fences, signs or restrictions on some dangerous activities.”

“We’d advise the landowner to give us a call so we can find a sustainable long-term solution that works better for everyone and gets the community and the landowner working together, rather than angry.”

Price

Walking as a sport has been found in the Oxford Folk Ashmolean Museum, in the United Kingdom.

Englishman Charles Rowell was a walker, not a runner, but his ultra credentials were impeccable.

In 1882 he set world records for 100 miles (13:26), 24 Hours (150 miles) and 48 hours (258 miles/415 km), and 300 miles in 58:17:06.

His feats long predated the founding of @cieleathletics but we can easily imagine their designers producing a short-brimmed “Rowell” cap in robin’s egg blue and burgundy. 😁 As the old saying goes, “If you can’t BE good, you may as well LOOK good.” Rowell was both. Happy Friday, everyone!

Charles Rowell became known as a champion pedestrian, because he could walk and run without stopping for a very long time.

At this time, the sport of pedestrianism was very popular and races were watched by thousands. Charles would have been a celebrity, with his picture in the newspaper and his face on advertisements.

His skill in long distance races was spotted by Sir John Astley a member of parliament know as the ‘Sporting Baron’.

Astely set up a series of six day races in 1878 known as the Astley Belt Races where contestant who goes furthest in six days, wins. The winner was given a silver belt and won 500 Pounds plus a percentage of the gate takings.

Charles first won the belt in America in 1879 running 500 miles.

He earned around two million dollars for his races in total, but didn’t remain rich. His belt was later found in a pawn shop in Cambridge.

$40

Available at some Northland and North Shore Bookshops or contact Jean at: goldschmidt@farmside.co.nz www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking as a sport in 1878

Walking Walking New New Zealand, Zealand, issue issue no no 281 281 -- 2021 2021

25 25

My Favourite Walk

Taking time on the Tongariro

By Dorothy Johnstone

F

or those who are not confident in choosing to attempt the challenging Tongariro Aline Crossing, an alternative is to take your time and enjoy part of what is on offer, which can be equally stimulating and rewarding.

Therefore, on 5 January 2021, while my fit, long legged son-in-law strided out the full track (yet again for the fifth time) accompanied by his two brothers and sister-in-law (the first time for them), my daughter and I navigated the commencement of the track at a much more leisurely pace.

To be sure, my light-weight walking stick, which unfolds into a chair, ideally serves the purpose well to sit upon while resting. In fact it drew plenty of attention and was envied by numerous young people as they passed me by while trudging it out.

Sadly, I noted (for whatever reason) many by-passed the short Above lef t: Walking buddies daughter and mother with Mt Ngauruhoe in the background.

Below left: Possibly the prettiest toilet in New Zealand..

Below middle: Colourful rocks along the way.

Below right: Flowers along the way add colour.

26 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

My Favourite Walk My Favourite Walk

detour off the track to Soda Springs in order to reach this landmark before continuing on their trek.

My goal, however, was to endeavour to reach Soda Springs and view the pretty waterfall above the springs. Bearing in mind the stops along the way, the time taken for us was approximately one and a half hours.).

By contrast, we returned to base in one hour where we stopped at the purpose built shelter to have our picnic lunch, accompanied by two pretty, unusual birds.

Besides viewing numerous moun-

.

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Above left: We made it. At the purpose built shelter.

Above right: Resting at Soda Springs with the waterfall in the b ackground. tain flowers, coloured stones, lichen, and vegetation, a surprising feature on route was the welcome sight of what must surely be the prettiest outdoor toilet in New Zealand. The structure is encased with paintings of flora-and-fauna.

To the doubting Thomas’s who

fear being unable to experience stepping foot on this intriguing mountain, I encourage you to check the weather forecast and allow plenty of time to simply just meander along part of the track and take in the glorious scenery as mentioned previously.

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

27

High Achiever

Te Araroa Trail

Q&A with Te Araroa walker and Wellington

trustee John Craig

T

here are many ways to experience the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand, but none quite so liberating as the experience you get while walking it.

Mark Weatheralll CEO Te Araroa Trust caught up with John Craig from Te Araroa Wellington Trust to hear about his experiences walking the trail and why he and others are so passionate about improving some of the trail’s tracks in the lower North Island.

How long have you been involved with Te Araroa?

I have been a trustee of Te Araroa Wellington Trust since 2011. I had just finished walking the 4,300 km Pacific Crest Trail in the USA and a good friend of mine, who was already a trustee, suggested I may wish to help.

What do you do for work and what is it about Te Araroa that convinced you to give up your spare time to improve the trail experience for others?

I retired in 2003 and a few weeks later left for the USA to walk the Appalachian Trail (3,500 km). I wanted to ‘give something back’ to the longdistance hiking community and Te Araroa was the obvious choice.

What is the primary role of the Te Araroa Wellington Trust?

The Wellington Trust meets monthly to discuss issues to do with the trail in our region, which extends from Levin south to Island Bay in Wellington. We keep a check

on the trail which uses a mixture of tracks provided by the Department of Conservation (DOC), Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council and Kapiti Coast District Council.

We are endeavouring to eliminate all road walking and have a couple of projects that we are currently working on. Liaison with all the councils and DOC is an important function.

How many volunteers support your efforts in the Wellington region?

There are currently seven trustees in the Wellington Trust. We can call on others when we walk over and check the Wellington trails twice a year. We make sure that the trail is in good order – especially over the Tararuas – that Te Araroa signage is in place, and that the trail notes are correct.

How important is the work done by volunteers supporting Te Araroa regional trusts around NZ? In Wellington we are ‘the feet on the ground’ for Te Araroa Trust.

Some trustees act as ‘Trail Angels’, helping through-hikers when they

arrive here. Others spend time talking to and making presentations to the councils. Still others complete funding applications as required.

Do you need more volunteers or supporters? How can others get involved?

We are always interested in talking with people who would like to help with work along the track or as future trustees.

What do you think makes the Wellington stretch of Te Araroa special?

Our special section is the 10 km Escarpment Track between Pāekakariki and Pukerua Bay. This was built on land leased from KiwiRail and completed in 2016. It is a challenging section but is very popular, with nearly 30,000 hikers walking over it last year. Because of the terrain and weather, there are many slips along the track which require ongoing clearance work.

What are you most proud of, in terms of the Te Araroa Wellington Trust’s achievements?

The Escarpment Track, of course.

But we have also fundraised for and installed metal plaques in the footpath through the Wellington CBD; four drinking fountains around Wellington harbour; and a special Te Araroa sculpture in the Botanic Gardens. These are all on the trail through the city.

What are the Trust’s plans or focus areas for the coming year?

We are in talks with local iwi to move the 7km road walk from the Reikorangi trail head up and over iwi land to connect with DOC tracks down into Waikanae. This will make it safer. Other smaller changes are being considered.

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28 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Banks Track Akaroa

bankstrack.co.nz

A multi day walk over the volcanic hills of Banks Peninsula.

Cliff tops, secluded ocean bays, lush forest, tree ferns, waterfalls and birdsong. Penguins and NZ fur seals.

Gaze into our magnificent night skies.

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

29

New Zealand Walks

Ghosts of the Past: Historic trails across the Kaimai-Mamaku Park

T

he Kaimāī Mamaku Conservation Park covers an area of approximately 37,000ha and features over 350 km of walking and tramping tracks. Kaimai means “to eat mussels.”

Ancient Maori knew that once they crossed this range towards the coast, seafood would probably be on the menu!

The net result was a series of three east-west trails that traverse the range (Te Tuhi, Wairere and Tuahu), later joined by a pakeha-instigated addition (Thompsons). Each can be completed in either direction in five to six hours. These crossings have considerable historical significance.

Many famous feet have preceded you.

The Te Tuhi Track is an old Maori route across the range. According to Maori tradition, it was named after Above: Wairere Stream - Mini falls before the Wairere Falls.

Te Tuhi (1823-1910), a prominent Maori chief of the Ngati Mahuta tribe of Waikato, a supporter of the Maori King movement in the 1850s.

The track was probably developed after the defeat of the Kingite forces in the Waikato in 1864, as a short cut between the Piriakau at Whakamarama and their Ngati Haua friends and family at Okauia. The track was used more often in the late 19th century when hostilities between inland and coastal tribes, and the Hauhau uprisings, made travelling the Wairere Track more hazardous.

After the establishment of a sawmill at Whakamarama by the Sharplin family in 1912, the Te Tuhi Track was used frequently by the Okauia people who were working at the mill. Many employees came to work via the Track.

Sawn timber was shipped from Omokoroa to Auckland. It was

30 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

while carrying timber from here that the scow Moa was captured by the escaped German prisoner of war, Count von Luckner, during World War I. The mill closed in 1931, but Leyland and O’Brien took it over in 1933, continuing operations until 1946. In 1942, during the Second World War, the Army held jungle training exercises along the Te Tuhi Track.

Trenches and fox holes made then, should not be mistaken for Maori fortifications.

The area was re-logged by Ngahere Sawmills of Greerton from 1962, ceasing in 1975, when it became part of the park.

The Wairere Track was a traditional route for Maori, linking Matamata with the Bay of Plenty. It was used occasionally by war parties and extensively for trading (mainly flax and pigs) between the tribes on each side of the range, and later with European traders at Tauranga.

.

By Phillip Donnell

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

New Zealand Walks

Above: Tuahu Kauri.

Te Waharoa, Potaua Tangitu and Te Mete Raukawa are some notable earlier users.

Missionaries, including Alfred Brown, William Williams and Thomas Chapman, and explorers and scientists such as Ferdinand Hochstetter (geologist), John Bidwill and William Colenso (botanists), also used the track. Lady Martin was carried on a litter and Celia Brown rode her pony over from Tauranga.

Wairere Falls lies at the spectacular western entrance to this trail.

The Falls drop 153 metres over the Okauia Fault in two stages and are most majestic after heavy rain. From the top there are magnificent views over the Waikato and Hauraki Plains.

It was here that 12-year-old Tarore was murdered in 1836. The copy of St Luke’s gospel stolen from her had a profound influence on those who read it, assisting Christianity to spread as far south as Kapiti.

The legend of Ngahue says that he came to New Zealand on the back of a fish and walked over the Wairere Track from the other side. After travelling overland he brought back some greenstone and killed a moa at the foot of the falls before going back to his home in Rarotonga.

Thompson’s Track is an old formed county road which was once the main thoroughfare linking the Katikati area with the Waikato. It was developed as a road access across the ranges in 1885, to take local stock www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

over the Kaimai Range to coastal sale yards before the Waihou sale yards were developed.

It is thought to have been named after Te Waharoa’s son, William Thompson (Wiremu Tamihana) the kingmaker and Christian chief of the Ngati Haua.

The road fell into disuse after the Kaimai Highway and Athenree Gorge roads were upgraded. According to stories, the track was upgraded to a reasonable road standard during the Second World War as an alternative escape route should Tauranga be invaded. The Manawaru Home Guard dug trenches at the top, ready to fight the Japanese had they invaded.

In later years it was used as a stock route and by local contractors to walk their bulldozers to Katikati to carry out land clearing work.

While Thompsons has been used by motorbikes for many decades, it has only been used by 4WD vehicles since they became popular in the 1980s and 90s, having a major impact on its condition. Today it is a muddy, unmetalled 13km eyesore, with frequent ruts, slips and washouts.

On a weekend it is not unusual to see a dozen or more 4WDs and motor bikes on the track at any one time.

The track is also used by trampers, mountain bikers, hunters and horse riders.

The Tuahu Track (11.9km,5hour) is the northernmost traverse of the range. Like the Wairere and Te Tuhi Tracks, it has a long history, being used by Maori, missionaries and miners before being converted to a bridle and bullock track (linking Katikati and Te Aroha) in the 1890s. The area around it was seriously logged from the late 1800s through to about 1970, and the often rugged terrain meant a combination of extraction methods, including tramways.

These historic access ways are now being used as tramping tracks.

In 2007 the track was permanently closed to logging.

Beginning from the car park at the end of Hot Springs Road, a graded track winds through attractive native forest dotted with young kauri and rimu trees. After roughly 20

Above: Wairere Falls. minutes, a side track leads to a platform surrounding one of the biggest kauri trees in the Bay of Plenty that somehow escaped the logger’s axe.

Beyond this point, the track becomes more difficult, with some narrowing

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Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

31

Historic trails across the Kaimai-Mamaku Park

Above: Waikato farmland from top of Wairere Falls.

Below left: The Brink, Wairere Falls. as you continue up to the crest.

It is said that this country lacks a sense of history. These walks will cultivate yours. You cannot help but reflect on the many who have trod these paths before and be inspired by their courage, skill, prowess and achievements.

Footsteps Walking Club of Aotearoa New Zealand includes Wairere in its Waikato itinerary for next summer, just one of 20 regions where they offer the very best day-walks available.

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Fact file

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32 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

How to get there: Ten minutes drive from Matamata , Wairere Falls Track is on Goodwin Road off Te Aroha-Okauia road, south of Te Aroha.

Length of walk 5km Time: Four to five hours Track: Easy and an advanced tramping track. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Shared Pathway

Unique boardwalk opened in Waitara

T

he historic town of Waitara (Department of Conservation) mannorth of New Plymouth, aged wetlands. now has a distinctive Europlank sustainable rewalkway of its own connectcycled plastic product chosen ing between settlement and as an alternative to timber for shoreline. its suitability in marine enviThe walkway is made up of ronment and low maintenance the use of man-made materirequirements made it ideal for als in a natural environment the two metre wide boardwalk

By Judy Eva for both the surface and the surface and foundations. foundations of the boardwalk, They also worked closely with the that would be established in DOC New Plymouth District Council and

Frame Group. Given the location of the boardwalk the team wanted to interweave function with New Zealand’s history and also the ecological wetlands to create a significant community.

I had heard many people commenting on this boardwalk and had never really taken the effort to check Above: Information boards beside the walkway.

Walking New Zealand magazine is available at all

Freephone 0800 walking stores throughout New Zealand www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

to subscribe to Walking New Zealand magazine Only $84.50 for 12 months

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

33

Shared Pathway

Unique boardwalk opened in Waitara

You can now view and enjoy the latest issue of Walking New Zealand magazine online for USD.99c at http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx

34 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

it out, but on doing so was blown away with the sight that greeted me when I did.

Starting at the corner of West Quay and Mclean Street (the main street) Waitara by the road bridge that crosses the river, enter into the small park like area where there are seats, a garden, rock sculpture and a wooden boardwalk beside the river with dark blue painted railings.

With the river on your right stay on this path which will then become a grass verge with a concrete path.

There are great views of the river for the length of the walk.

The source of this river lies in the steep hill country to east of Mt Taranaki. It flows in a north westerly direction to the Tasman Sea meetAbove: Start of the walk from the town.

Below left: A rock wall on the way to the boardwalk. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Shared Pathway

ing at the coastal town of Waitara seeping into the wetlands at high tide.

The path follows in a straight line passing the huge old Borthwicks Freezing Works buildings on your left that were established in 1867 but closed 20 years ago. It was the backbone of Waitara with the loss of many jobs and was the economic backbone of this town for 75 years.

I felt a sort of chill while passing this massive vast ghostly structure and felt haunted by what must have been the mournful voices of the thousand of animals slaughtered there. There seemed to be a sadness surrounding it.

The buildings are now owned by

.

Above right: Passing the old freezing works.

Middle right: The working bee that started the project for the boardwalk.

Below: The curving shape of the native eel.

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Anzco Holdings and produce meat patties and salami for McDonalds restaurants. The earliest known transaction of Maori and European trade in the area was in 1823 when the barge William Stoveld under Captain Davidson anchored off the river mouth to trade goods for flax.

Following along the path takes you out onto Queen Street with houses on your left. Keep on the path straight ahead along the rock wall and at the end of the street you will enter into a walkway with information boards explaining the history

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

35

Shared Pathway

Unique boardwalk opened in Waitara in the area.

As you turn the corner you will be met with the most stunning sight of this beautiful boardwalk which weaves its way across the wetlands.

It is absolutely stunning.

The wetlands consists of mudflats which support salt marsh vegetation, wading birds, raupo, flax, cabbage trees and many other water specimens including migrating birds.

This estuary is located 500 metres upstream from the river mouth. The lagoon covers 1.2 hectacres, where Above lef t: A bridge for a l l t y p e s of transport.

VeryFitPro 130c Colour Fitness Tracker, and Heart Monitor

200 native plants were planted by Shell N.Z. staff to prevent erosion.

The wetland has formed within a low coastal fore dune system with an activity stoney beach.

On the reaching the end of the boardwalk and if you wish to continue veer right, past the Waitara Yacht Club across the large parking area and enjoy the sea view at the West Beach, Marine Park.

The 2.4 k walk takes approximately an hour return unless you dither and take in some of the attractions along the beach.

If you wish to do just the boardwalk park at the end of Queen Street you will miss the beauty of the complete river walk.

The complete walk is shared with bikes and pedestrians and is suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters walking frames, pushchairs and dogs.

Waitara is off SH 3. 15kms north east of New Plymouth.

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www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

36 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Mt Favourite Walk

Three tramps in the Ruahine Forest Park

E

ighteen members of the Wednesday group Manawatu Tramping & Ski Club Club were met with the overcast, low cloud and intermittent drizzle that was destined to last all day at their arrival at the Rangiwhahia Car Park in the Ruahine For- By Bob Hodgson est Park, northern Manawatu.

To complete the description, the clouds were so low on the tops that any anticipated views of the landscape were eliminated.

Trip leader for the day, Marion, organised three groups; one of five to tramp to the Rangiwhahia Hut, one of nine to tramp Deadmans, and one of four aiming to tramp Deadmans then up through the tussock to the Left: Some of “The Deadmans 9” at the first high tarn.

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

37

Mt Favourite Walk

Looking for Walking NZ magazine?

Below are a few of the stores that stock Walking New Zealand Magazine. If it is not there, ask the assistant as the store may have sold out and may be able to get the latest copy for you.

Northland: Paper Plus Kaitaia, Kamo Book Shop, Countdown Whgarei, Kensington Stationer Postshop, Corner Cardz ‘N’ Magz, Paper Plus Whangarei, Russell Bookshop, Take Note Paihia, Dargaville Postshop & Lotto, New World Kaikohe,Whitcoulls Wei Auckland North: Whitcoulls Gallaria, Magascene, Haywards Paper Power, Sweet Lotto Centre, Paper Plus Takapuna, Milford Paper Power, Malcolm’s Take Note, Whitcoulls Browns Bay, Paper Plus Browns Bay, Browns Bay Paper Power, Chivalry Foodmarket, Whitcoulls Glf, Paper Plus Glenfield, Birkenhead Stationers, Chelsea Paper Power, Gulf Harbour Marina Superette, Whitcoulls Wpa, Manly Paper Plus & Toyworld, New World Orewa, Paper Plus Orewa, Take Note Wellsford, Paper Plus Warkworth, Hibiscus Dairy, Take Note Warkworth,New World Birkenhead, New World Warkworth, Whitcoulls WAB, Pak N Save Albany, Take Note Helensville, Whitcoulls Albany, Mangawhai Books & Gifts Auckland West Magazine City Henderson, Lincoln North Post Shop, Countdown Henderson, Sylvan Superette, Paper Plus Kelston, Gull Whenupai, Paper Plus Westgate, Pondorosa Superette, Whitcoulls Henderson, Greenbay Bookshop Auckland Central Whitcoulls Cor, Whitcoulls Dta Shop 9, 1 Stop Shop, Shopping Plus, Dymocks Newmarket, Midtown Superette, Whitcoulls KRd, Britomart Magazine Shop, Mag Nation Queen St, Victoria St Lotto & Newsagency, Countdown Lynfield, Lynfield Postshop & Stationers, Pak N Save Mt Albert, Khyber Pass Newsagency, Paper Plus Onehunga, Mainly Mags, Paper Plus Meadowbank, Cardz Magz N Lotto, Paper Power & Post Shop Greenw, Whitcoulls Royal Oak, Paper Plus Royal Oak, Rawhiti Bookshop, Mt Eden Post & Stationery, Eden Foods Mt Eden, The Book Nook, Paper Plus Eastridge, New World Panmure, Mag Nation Sylvia Park, Take Note St Heliers, Pt Chevalier Lotto-Plus, Chev Mini-Mart, Ponsonby Paper Plus, Ponsonby Superette, Mag Nation Ponsonby, The Magazine Marketing Co Ltd, Richmond Rd Superette, Lucky Land Lotto Shop, Dorchester Superette, Sita Ram Dairy, GAS Ostend Motors 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Three tramps in the Ruahine Forest Park hut and complete the loop back to the carpark.

The goal set as all out by 3.30pm, radios were allocated and then it was hi ho off to tramp we all did go!

The “Hut 5” had a steady, incident free tramp up in damp conditions. There were no landscape views, only blank white cloud, however this did provide a backdrop that made black spear grass flower stems visible that would normally have not been noticed.

A small flock of about five kereru was also encountered.

The hut was clean and dry but colder on the inside than the outside.

38 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

Above: Spot the leaders?

The “Energetic 4” completed the full 12.3km loop, well before trip leader Marion’s deadline and without incident.

The “Deadmans 9” enjoyed a social tramp with plenty of chatter. The tramp that was enhanced by the damp conditions that made

Fact file

Getting there: The start of the Rangiwhahia Track is 81 kms from Palmerston North Driving time 1 hour 14 minutes, or 27km from Mangawheka 32 minutes from State Highway 1.

Length of track: Time: Two to two and a half hours to nut.Track grade Easy to moderate. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Mt Favourite Walk

the bush colours particularly vivid with a surprising variety of coloured mushrooms and fungus to be observed including some a lime green.

The track section that goes through the height range that allows mixture of mature,

mountain cypress and leatherwood was particularly beautiful, a beauty subtly enhanced by a faint and sweet aroma attributed to native orchids though none were found by the author.

Although conditions were best described as damp and claggy, it was not an especially a cold tramp.

We emerged in high spirits and joined with the others as we travelled to the Kimbolton Cafe where we were made welcome for coffee and cakes.

Below right: The profile for the tramp of the “Deadmans Nine”.

Below: Green Beauties.

.

Above right: Some of “ The Deadmans 9” enjoy lunch in the leatherwood..

Above left: Three of the Energetic 4 Loopers enjoy a high point Photo byWilliam

Left: More Beauty in the bush.

Below right: GPS plot showing in red the track to the Rangiwahia Hut,the red splodge (!) and, below in muddy brown, the route of the “Deadmans Nine.

Below left: The Deadmans Rangi Hut Loop.

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

39

Australian Walks

Footing it in

Tassie

A chance to venture overseas for the first time in ages!

By Phillip Donnell

R

eferred to locally as “Tassie”, Tasmania is Australia’s smallest state and the one that is most like our own country’s landscape. Tassie has impressive environmental credentials.

It is nature’s verdant holiday house, a place of enormously diverse inland and coastal wilderness areas that range from the wildest of ocean dunes and satellite islets to near-impenetrable rainforest, rugged mountain ranges, soaring sea cliffs and serenely fragile alpine moorlands. Accordingly, It has become world-renowned for its spectacular scenery.

Tasmania is also a fascinating human habitat. The main cities of Hobart and Launceston engage in a cosmopolitan face-off across the length of the island, but smaller settlements are getting in on the act, continually adding to their urban inventories with a mixture of historic heritage sites, sit-back-and-relax cafes, artsy shops and markets, festive occasions ad restaurants that feature splendid local food and wines.

Flora and fauna are an added attraction. Many of the state’s plants are unlike those found in the rest of Australia and have ties with species that grew millions of years ago.

Perhaps the best known is the

Huon pine, heading a family which includes celery-top and pencil varieties. Myrtle beech dominates the wetter forests. Leatherwood, swamp gum, blue gum, buttongrass, cushion plant and horizontal scrub are common. Kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, platypuses, echidnas, possums, wombats, southern right whales and a host of unique birds accompany the famous Tasmanian Devils.  Tasmania’s diversity and relatively compact size make it a great holiday destination. You can see and do a lot in a short space of time

40 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

Above: Walkers on a boardwalk beside a rocky mountain.

One of the best ways to see most of what this state has to offer is on foot. Only on foot can you begin to appreciate the grand scale of the physical drama before you and its exquisitely-wrought detailing.

Such an opportunity is now available through Footsteps Walking Club of Aotearoa New Zealand. Their first overseas excursion since the pandemic abated is a Tasmania DayWalks Tour, 17 March-10 April 2022, for which registrations are now open.

This is a comprehensive 25-day tour which visits every part of the state in what is roughly an anticlockwise loop. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Australian Walks

bling waterfalls.

Tasmania certainly caters for experienced and determined adventurers, but mere mortals can choose from hundreds of less-demanding walks.

This tour has chosen some of the absolute best. Fit walkers with limited experience can undertake all of the walks, as they follow marked tracks or well-used routes.

A few may test an uber-fit hiker’s fortitude and fondness for hills, but there are no epic bush-bashes, pack-carrying trudges, or off-track expeditions.

All the walks are routes to fitness that leave gym work-outs for dead. How could anyone prefer airconditioning to an alpine or coastal breeze? Or pumping techno music to the rattle of pandani curls as you brush past, or the squawk of yellowtailed black cockatoos, or water tumbling over a cascade?

Your heart will be stolen by Tasmania’s unique and outlandishly beautiful scenery. But beyond that, studies have shown that exercising outdoors raises levels of serotonin, melatonin and endorphins, which in turn reduces stress.

So if you need an excuse to go walking in Tasmania, you can always say you are improving your physical and mental health! Footsteps welcomes your enquiry.

Contact them on 021 172 3244, 07 544 9509 or footstepsanz@gmail.com.

Beginning in Hobart, it darts to the southernmost point in Australia before swinging east to the Tasman Peninsula (Port Arthur) and north up the east coast to St Helens.

Heading west, it crosses the central highlands via Launceston and Deloraine, then diverts to far-flung Stanley. The southwestern region is traversed via Derwent Bridge and Maydena.

The focus is the 19 wildlife-saturated national parks, which comprise one quarter of Tassie’s total area, with most of that awarded the status of World Heritage Area.

A few are described here to whet your appetite. Hartz Mountains shields fantastic alpine heath, rainwww.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

forest and glacial lakes, and allows unforgettable views of the southwest wilderness. Tasman features the highest sea-cliffs in Oz. The striking coastal scenery of Freycinet is guarded by the enormous granite Hazards at its entrance.

Ben Lomond is arranged around a glacial plateau filled with wondrous alpine flora. The appealing bushland, rugged quartzite headlands, and exceptional bays of Rocky Cape are tailor-made for solitude.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair is a sublime area dotted with moorland, mountain peaks, and the deepest lake. Mount Field has flora ranging from towering swamp gums to huge tree ferns, alpine tundra and tum-

FOOTSTEPS

TASMANIA DAY-WALKS TOUR 17 March – 10 April 2022

We welcome your enquiry:

footstepsanz@gmail.com or phone 021 172 3244

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

41

CONTENTS for previous 15 issues JULY 280 2021

2 Queen Charlotte Track - Wilderness Guides 3 Contents 6 New Zealand Walk: Comarderie on the Whareama Coastal Walk 12 Event: Walkers see the new Manawatu Tararua Highway taking shape 14 New Zealand Walk: Rotokawa Scenic Reserve - now a predator free area 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walk: Fantail Falls an easy West Coast walk 22 Subscription page 24 Virtual field trip for school children showcases Te Araroa 24 My Favourite Walk: Linderman Loop - in the historic Kaimais 28 Around the Clubs: Clubs find advantage in sharing great walks 30 New Zealand Cycle Tour: Best Dam cycling trip in the world Busting the 315km trail from Mt Cook to Oamaru 38 Australian Walks: Alice Springs for gorges, water holes and red desert landscapes 42 Index of previous 14 issues 43 Coming Events: New Zealand 47 Coming Events: Australia 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 Pak A Roo Jackets 52 Taupo event

JUNE 279 2021

2 Queen Charlotte Track - Wilderness Guides 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Ship Cove walks in old swamp forests 8 New Zealand Walk: Muruwai Walk in Coromandel 10 New Zealand Walks: Somes Island - The MIQ experience 149 years ago11 New Zealand Walk: Somes Island Track 12 My Favourite Walk: Banks Peninsula Track - an unique scenic 3 day trip 14 Need2Know: Egmont National Park tracks upgraded 16 High Achiever: Havelock man’s marathon dream of link to Picton 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Australian Walks: Ten best walks and hikes in Tasmania 24 New Zealand Walk: Gabriels Gully interpretation walk 26 Te Araroa Trail: Walking the Te Araroa Trail as a photgrapher and film maker 30 New Zealand Walk: Mt Taranaki summit climb -not for the faint hearted 35 New Zealand Walk : Palliser Vineyard Walk 36 Directory of New Zealand Walking Groups 40 Subscription page 41 Index of previous 14 issues 42 Coming Events: New Zealand 47 Coming Events: Australia 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 ECHO Walking Festival 52 Taupo Marathon

MAY 278 2021

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Franz Josef - a must do 9 Need2Know: Health and Safety when crossing private farms 10 New Zealand Walks: Kaikoura - a popular spot for walkers 14 My Favourite Walk: Motorimu Shelter walk in the Tararuas 15 Event: Christchurch Walking Festival has many avenues for walking 16 New Zealand Walk: Tackling the Tirohanga 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Australian Walk: Umpherston Sinkhole 22 My Favourite Walk: Western Loop Walkway for bush, river and

open farmland 26 My Favourite Walk: A walk around Mangatawhiri Reservoir 30 My Favourite Walk: Counter clockwise on the Tongariro Circuit 36 Directory of New Zealand Walking Groups 40 Subscription page 41 Index of previous 14 issues 42 Coming Events: New Zealand 47 Coming Events: Australia 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 ECHO Walking Festival 52 Taupo Marathon

APRIL 277 2021

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Omarama’s Clay Cliff spectacular landscape 8 New Zealand Walk: On a clear day you can see f o re ve r O t a w a to Otane-Wainuku Ridgeline 10 New Zealand Walk: Huatoki Domain - for a delightful walk 12 New Zealand Walk: Three coastal walks at the bottom of the South Island 14 Shared Pathway: Hikers and bikers share the Timber Trail 16 High Achievers: Te Araroa legends Ceorge Mills and Rob Firmin 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Shared Pathway: Little River Trail Hike it, bike it like it!

25 Shared Pathway: New off road shared path gathering use 22 New Zealand Walks: Tongariro National Park short walks to suit all fitness types 32 Te Araroa Trail: New Invercargill to Bluff section, cyclists off road 32 New Zealand Walk: Rob Roy Track reopens 34My Favourite Walk: Day walks in West Coast’s Oparara Basin 34 NZ Cycling Trail: The diverse Kaikoura Trail 35 Shared Pathway: Shared Kaikoura pathway connect loop 36 Directory of New Zealand Walking Groups 41 Index of previous 14 issues 42 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 52 Great Forest Events

MARCH 276 2021

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Tauranga to Okere Falls on a shared trail 10 New Zealand Walk: Branch Road Walkway - once an ancient Maori route 14 New Zealand Walk: Blue Pools Walk - Mt Aspitring National Park 16 Cycling Trails: New section of Alps2Ocean Cycle Trail opens 17 New Zealand Walk: Hollyford Track reopens 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Need2Know: Motu: Magnificent isolation 24 New Zealand Walk: Alexandra to Clyde River Track - attracts both walkers and cyclists 27 New Zealand Walk:The Terrace Walk, Franz Josef 28 Auckland Walks: Take a hike on these great Auckland walks this summer 30 New Zealand Walk: Gebbies Pass to Packhorse Hut 32 New Zealand Walk: Kahikatea Country - the Pehitawa section of the Te Araroa Trail 34 NZ Cycling Trail: The diverse Kaikoura Trail 35 Shared Pathway: Shared Kaikoura pathway connect loop 36 Event: Back to the future for ASB Christchurch events 38 New Zealand Walks: Mangatoi Walkers tackle the Coromandel walks 38 Subscription page 41 Index of previous 14 issues 42 Coming Events: New Zealand

48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 Wilderness Guides 52 Manawatu Walking Festival

FEBRUARY 275 2021

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: A wander around Waioronga- mai Valley 11 Te Araroa Trail: New partnerships keep track of walkers on trail 12 New Zealand Walk: Hidden treasures in Wai-O- Tapu Forest 15 Need to Know: Advantages of replacing fizzy drinks with water 16 New Zealnd Farm Walks: Hill farm walks in the Rangitikei 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 High Achievers: Volunteers add value to Mt Somers experience 22 New Zealand Walk: Seven walks on Mt Somers 24 New Zealand Walk:Locals proud of Kawatiri Coastal Trail 26 New Zealand Walks: Plan your next adventure with New Zealand Walks 29 High Achiever: Award to Mangawhai builder of walking tracks 30 New Zealand Walk: Happy holiday humping 37 Book: Enhanced access grant supports bikepack- ing Aotearoa book 38 Need2Know: Enjoying the outdoors responsibility 41 Index of previous 14 issues 42 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 Wilderness Guides 52 Event: Manawatu Walking Festivall

JANUARY 274 2021

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Round the rugged rocks - Roaring Meg Pack Track 9 New Zealand Walks: Top 20 Welly Walks in the Capital 13 High Achievers: All walks of life celebrate 20 years of community talks 14 NZ Walking Access Commission: Walking the dog 16 Event: New Zealand’s larget annual multi-sport event welcomes walkers 17 New Zealand Walk: Walking along the banks of the Ohura River 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walk: Rimutaka Rail Trail for tunnels and waterfalls 21 New Zealand Walk:Rimutaka Rail Trail popular with both walkers and cyclists 23 News: Survey highlights motivations for time in nature 24 Overseas Walk: Singapore Orchid Gardens for a walk among flora 34 Need2Know: Exercise helps to reduce back pain 36 Australian Walks: Australia’s best one day walks 39 Event: Ashhurst to Esplanade Walk 40 Subscription Page 41 Index of previous 14 issues 44 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 Wilderness Guides 52 Event:Manawatu Walking Festival

DECEMBER 273 2020

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Punakaiki Gateway to dramatic limstone country 13 Walking Access: Walking from town to town 14 New Zealand Walk: Audrey Gale Reserve beautiful in all seasons 16 New Zealand Walk: Snow Daze

42 Walking New Zealand, issue noissue 281 - no 2021 42 Walking New Zealand, 281 - 2021

Golden Crown Ridge Ruahine Forest Park 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walk: Mangatangi Track walk with great view points 22 New Zealand Walk: Doug Walker Memorial Walkway popular 24 New Zealand Walk: Four P’s in a pod! Paku, Pauanui, Parakiwai, Puketui 26 Te Araroa Trail: Paekakariki Escarpment Trail for magnificent views 30 Overseas Walk: A walk every day with the Norwegian Coastal Express 34 Overseas Walks: Lamma Island paved wilderness walkways 39 New Zealand Walks: 100km Coast to Coast Walk 42 Subscription Page 43 Index of previous 14 issues 44 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 Wilderness Guides 52 Event: Manawatu Walking Festival

NOVEMBER 272 2020

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: An amble by Lake Hakanoa 9 New Zealand Walk: A trail that reconnects us to the Waikato River 10 New Zealand Walk: Tongariro Alpine Crossing: best one day walk in NZ 16 New Zealand Walk: Time to explore Nydia Bay 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Australian Walk: Five of the top walks in Melbourne 22 Te Araroa Trail: Te Araroa Auckland Trust plan to enhance walking experience 24 New Zealand Walk: “Views to die for” on Waipu Cove Walkway 27 New Zealand Walks: Seven day walks around Queenstown 30 Overseas Walk : Whitburn to South Shields in the north east of England 34 New Zealand Walk: Hahei Beach to Cathedral Cove full of history 38 New Zealand Walks: Track work making strides in Auckland regional parks 38 New Zealand Walks: Walk New Zealand before you walk the world 40 New Zealand Walk: Rotorao Island an unique island sanctuary 42 Subscription page 43 Index of previous 14 issues 44 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 Wilderness Guides 52 Event:Manawatu Walking Festival

OCTOBER 271 2020

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Ducks, Gnomes and Dinosaurs: Just a normal day in the Whirinaki Conservation Park 8 New Zealand Walk: Castle Hill: a walk through huge boulders 13 New Zealand Walk: Much loved Spraggs Bush Track reopens 14 New Zealand Walk: The Tinui ANZAC Walkway: a memorable walk 16 News: Te Araroa partners with NZ Walking Access Commission 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Experience: Our Routeburn experience: Water, floods and everything else that could go wrong 24 Lockdown Activities: Nature is good for us 26 New Zealand Walk: An Architectural Walk 28 My Favourite Walk: Along the walkway at Macan- drew Bay 30 Cycling Tours: Trip through the tulips 34 New Zealand Walk: Nydia Track something for everyone 38 New Zealand Walks: Exploring the scenery of the Far North 42 Te Araroa Trail: Te Araroa Northland

Trust revitalised 43 Index of previous 14 issues 44 Subscription page 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 Event:Manawatu Walking Festival 52 Wilderness Guides

SEPTEMBER 270 2020

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Palmers Track Great Barrier Island 12 John Fensham Memoral Sanctuary - a lowland forest walk 15 New Zealand Walk: Invigorating winter tramp on the Mania Track 15 Kawerau Accomodation: Firmin Lodge 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Short walks to get you off the couch 23 Lockdown Activities: A morepork and the Milky Way 24 Northland Experiences: Two wheels and Shank’s Pony 28 New Zealand Walks: A week of walks on Chatham Islands 36 Event: Bay of Islands Walking Weekend - A real mix - hiking, biking trains and walks for non walkers 40 Event: Delightful dozen walks at Warkworth Weekend 2020 43 Index of previous 14 issues 44 Subscription page 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 51 Event: A great view from one of the Warkworth’s Walks 52 Wilderness Guides

AUGUST 269 2020

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Cook’s Cove Walkway to an historic monument 10 Queen Charlotte Track: Testing our limits on the Queen Charlotte 16 Lockdown Activities: Helping walkers along the way. Waitangi Regional Park.

18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Rotorua Walks: Short walks around Rotorua 22 Rotorua Walks: Ten great Rotorua walks and trails 23 Rotorua Walks: Tarawera Trail a great nature walk 24 Rotorua Walks: Firmin Lodge 26 Bay of Islands Walking Weekend: Mana, missionaries and mayhem 28 Need2Know: Pop goes my pelvis 30 New Zealand Walk Birdlife and song highlight of Bushy Park 31 New Zealand Walk: Bushy Park sanctuary a top restoration project 32 New Zealand Walk: Curio Bay experiences 34 New Zealand Walk: Ballroom Overhang Track - Fox River West Coast 36 Need2Know: Baldwin Street steepest street again 37 Walking Access Commission: Trust saves public access to beach 38 Northland Experience: Monica cycles the Cook to Kupe Tour for a real Norhland experience 40 Need2Know: Tactical Unbanism gives cheap solutions for Auckland pedestrians and cyclists 43 High Achiever: Pre-schoolers delight at compe- tion win 44 New Zealand Walk: Big plans for walking and cycle paths along Avon River corridor 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Walking Tours 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 52 Walkers on the Tuki Tuki River Trail

Chooks Tour of Northland 17 News: A billion-dollar opportunity for walkers 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walks: Bookable huts - a Summer success 23 Need2Know: Walking on private land 24 Auckland Walk: Mt Hobson Walk for panoramic city views 27 Covid-129: Travel faces a reinvention 28 New Zealand Walk: Lindsay Scenic Reserve Walk 30 My Favoutite Walk: Cardiff Centennial Walk through natural bush and farmland 34 New Zealand Walk: Beat the heat - do the Donald Drift 37 Australian Walk: Burleigh Heads National Park walks 40 Auckland Walk: A ramble on Anzac Day - Point England Walkway 44 Books: God’s Cocaine - the addiction of the Camino 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 New Zealand Country Breaks 52 Northland Experiences

APRIL 267 2020

2 Pak - A - Roo Walking Jacket 3 Contents 4 Walk Talk 6 Great Walks: The Back Story of “The Routeburn Saga” 9 Great Walks: “The Routeburn Saga” 11 New Zealand Walk: Track a memorial to Truby King 12 New Zealand Walks: Paritutu Rock a challenge in New Plymouth 15 Book: Relentless - how a mother and daughter defired the odds 16 New Zealand Walk: Always different - The Art Deco Walk 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 New Zealand Walk : Waiheke Island revisited - Retracing past footsteps 26 New Zealand Walk: Te Pare Reserve rich in history 30 New Zealand Walk: Tongariro Alpine Crossing one of the best one day walks in the world 36 New Zealand Walk: Wide country views from Mt William Walk 39 New Zealand Walk: Haast Pass/ Tioripatea Highway short walks 40 Australian Walk: Unique track is popular tourist attraction 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 48 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 60 Great Forest Events

MARCH 266 2020

4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walks: Cable Bay’s family farmland walk 8 New Zealand Walk: Eastwoodhill - the national arboretum of New Zealand 12 New Zealand Walk: Eastwoodhill offers six walks to suit all levels and abilities 14 New Zealand Walks: Four walks at Hanmer Springs in one week 18 Walking New Zealand Monthly Photo Contest 20 Overseas Walks: Norfolk Island - a magical slice of paradise 23 New Zealand Walk: Milford to Takapuna Walk 26 New Zealand Walk: Herekawa Stream and Clifftop Walk 30 Overseas Walks: Experience Australia’s newest walking challenge - Ranges to River 34 New Zealand Walk: Carter Scenic Reserve walk 36 New Zealand Walk: Walk to the stars near Napier 38 New Zealand Walk: Otari - Wilton’s Bush - with 14kms of walking tracks 42 Overseas Walks and Tours 44 Index of previous 14 issues MAY-JULY 268 2020 45 Coming Events: New Zealand 3 Contents 48 Coming Events: Overseas 52 Directory of Walking Groups 4 Walk Talk 6 New Zealand Walk: Queen Charlotte 56 New Zealand Country Breaks 60 Manawatu Walking Festival Track - Here we come!

10 New Zealand Walk: Walking the Track 11 New Zealand Walk: The Queen Charlotte Track - why walk it when you can ride?

13 Lockdown Activities: Walking and biking around Papamoa - Training up Mt Wash-ington.

14 Northland Experiences: The Old

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Coming Events

Coming Events

NEW ZEALAND JULY 2021

3 Forest Run Fest: Frost Edition, Bottle Lake Forest, Christchurch 4 XTERRA Auckland: Waiuku Forest, Auckand 10 Captain Cook’s Landing Trail Run, Ships Cove Marlborough Sounds 10 Cougar Trail Run, Tokaroa 17 WUU-2K Marathon & Ultramarathon, Wellinghton

18 Cape Egmont Half Marathon, Okato, Taranaki 24 Mackenzie Half Marathon, Fairlie, South Canterbury 24 Halcombe Relay, Halcombe, Manawatu 25 Ōrewa Half Marathon, Orewa 30 Christchurch 10km Series: Beach/ Night, New Brighton 31 Taupo Marathon, Taupo 31 Lakeside Relays, Harewood, Christchurch

The new VeryFitPro ID205L Intelligent Activity Tracker The new VeryFitPro ID205L is an intelligent smart looking Sports Watch and activity tracker that ticks all the boxes.

* Strong and durable 3cm clear glass touch screen display * Skin friendly soft and comfortable wristband strap * Nine exercise modes walking, running, hiking, cycling, treadmill, fitness, mountain climbing, spinning bike and yoga * Many functions: step monitoring function, heart rate monitoring, sleep monitoring, calorie monitoring, call reminder, message reminder, sedentary reminder, alarm reminder, stopwatch, timer, music control, looking at mobile phone, breathing training, time and date display, multi-sport mode (step, calories, speed, distance, active time), daily goal * Raise your hand and the screen will light up. * Customize the face of your Smart Watch to fit your needs. * IP68 Deep Waterproof * Magnetic charging with USB charging cable takes about 2.5 hours for around 10 days usage. * Uses VeryFitPro app Compatible with smart phones that use IOS 8.0/ Android OS 4.4 or later, and Bluetooth 4.0 or later * Colors available: Black and Dark Green

Only

$99

plus $7.00 P&P

Available now from:

Walking New Zealand Shop P O Box 1922, Palmerston North - Phone 0800-925-546 Fax 06-358-6864 or email walkingnz@xtra.co.nz. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Please note that because of the Covid-19 lockdown some events advertised in New Zealand may be rescheduled, postponed or cancelled.

AUGUST 2021

1 South Island Half Marathon, Lake Hood, Ashburton 1 Summit Forests Kaitaia Run/Walk, Kaitaia 5-6 Secondary School Tough Guy and Gal Challenge: Auckland, Helensville, Auckland 7 Meridian Hydro Half Marathon, Te Anau 7 Hamilton City Hawks Sweeny Cup Handicap Race, Horsham Downs, Hamilton 7 Tough Gal Team Challenge: Auckland, Helensville, Auckland 7 Mitre 10 Te Anau 10km, Te Anau 7 Whangamata Adventure Race, Whangamata 8 Onehunga Half Marathon, Onehunga 8 We Run the Forest, The Redwoods, Rotorua 8 Hawke’s Bay Trail Run Series: Sacred Hill, Dartmoor, Hawkes Bay 15 Mukamuka Munter, Catchpool Visitor Centre, Rimutaka Forest Park 15 Woodbourne Half Marathon, Woodburne, Blenheim 15 Gizzy Trail Run Series: Sponge Bay Farm, Gisborne 18-19 Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge: Rotorua 19 Bridge to Bridge Ultra Marathon, Waimakariri 19 The Possum Night Run, Wairakei Resort, Taupo

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Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

43

Coming Events

NORDIC WALKING

4 4 4 4 4 4

Upper body workout while walking Burn 40% more calories Less impact on joints Release tension in neck and shoulders Improve posture and breathing Fun to do, easy to learn, for all ages

Classes in Greater Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Whakatane, Hawkes Bay, New Plymouth, Wellington, Kapiti and Christchurch

21 Mount Maunganui Half Marathon, Mt Maunganui 21 Tough Gal Team Challenge: Rotorua 21 Tough Guy and Gal Challenge: Rotorua 22 Craters Trail Run, Taupo 22 Seddon School Tussock Run, Seddon 26-28 The Great Naseby Water Race Ultramarathon, Naseby 28 Fullers Greatsights Bay of Islands BEAST, Haruru, near Paihia 28 The Dun Run, Maitai Dam to OK Corral, Nelson 28 Canterbury Adventure Race, near Christchurch 28 Clyde to Alexandra Road Races, Clyder 29 Heart and Sole Women’s Run Series #3, Papamoa

SEPTEMBER 2021

5 North Shore Marathon, Milford, Auckland 5 Gizzy Trail Run Series: Pouawa Farm, Gisborne 5 XTERRA Auckland: Riverhead Forest, Auckland 11 Foundation Clinic Mauao Half Marathon, Mt Maunganui 11 Peak to Peak, Queenstown 11 Iron Maori Half Marathon, Napier 11 Kaikōura Whale Run, Kaikoura 11 Kinloch Off Road Challenge, Kinloch, Taupo 11 Marton to Wanganui Relay or Solo Ultramarathon, Marton 11 Race Tekapo, Tekapo

44 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

12 Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon, Dunedin 12 Tāmaki River Half Marathon, Farm Cove, Auckland 12 Whangarei Run/Walk Festival, Whangarei 12 Hutt Marathon, Petone 12 Wild Auckland: Tawharanui, Tawharanui Regional Park, Auckland 12 Sri Chinmoy Cherry Blossom Marathon, Christchurch 18 Governors Bay to Lyttelton Scenic Road Race, Governors Bay, Canterbury 18 Queen Charlotte Relay, Picton to Havelock 19 4 Paws Marathon, Bottle Lake Forest, Christchurch 19 Cambridge Half Marathon, Cambridge 19 Hatuma Half Marathon & 10K Fun Run, WWaipukurau, Central Hawkes Bay 19 Shoe Science Tauranga Marathon, Tauranga 19 Wild Auckland: Tawharanui, Auckland 19 Run Auckland: Millwater Estuary, Silverdale, Auckland 25 Blue Lake 24 Hour Challenge, Blue Lake, Rotorua 25 The Mudder, Marton 26 4 Paws Marathon, Bottle Lake Forest, Canterbury 25 Sandy Point Classic, Invercargill e Lake Forest, Christchurch

OCTOBER 2021

1 Spring Challenge: South Island, Greymouth 2 Aoraki Mt Cook Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, Aoraki Mt Cook Village 2 Sprig & Fern 10K: Motueka 2 Rakiura Challenge Trail Run, Oban Stewart Island 3 Great Barrier Island Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Great Barrier Island 3 Harcourts Cooper & Co Devonport Half Marathon, Auckland 9 Abel Tasman Coastal Classic Trail Run, Kaiteriteri 9 Marina 2 Marina, Picton 9 Motu Challenge, Opotiki 10 3 Lakes Trail Run, Kai-iwi Lakes, Northland www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Coming Events

RUNTAUPO.CO.NZ

­

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ENTER THE SERIES OR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS AT RUNTAUPO.CO.NZ! www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

45

Coming Events

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

The fingertip Pulse/Oximeter can be used to measure oxygen saturation and heart pulse rate through the finger. Monitor respiratory conditions, pre and post exercise, and pre and post operative conditions.

Only

$89.00 plus $7.00 P&P

Available now from:

Walking New Zealand Shop P O Box 1922, Palmerston North Phone 0800-925-546 Order online:

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz You can now view back issues of Walking New Zealand magazine,

two issues back from the latest, FREE at : http://issuu.com/walkingnewzealand.

10 Wairarapa Country Marathon, Masterton 10 Southland Festival of Running, Invercargill 15 Spring Challenge: North Island, Napier 15-17, Bay of Islands Walking Weekend, Russell, Northland 15-24 South Island Masters Games 2021, Marlborough 16 Jackson Holmes Salmon Run, Rakaia, Canterbury 16 Sprig & Fern 10K: Mapua 16 Taupō Ultramarathon, Whakaipo Bay, Taupo 17 Run Orewa, Orewa 23 Kaikoura Mountains to the Sea, South Bay, Kaikoura 23 Pirongia Trail Run, Mt Pirongia 24 Cromwell Half Marathon, Cromwell 24 Wild Auckland: Tāpapakanga, Tāpapakanga National Park, Auckland 28 Waikato Breast Cancer Research Trust Pink Walk & Button Run, Hamilton 30 Kawerau King of the Mountain, Because of the Covid-19 lockdown some events adver tised in New Zealand may be rescheduled, postponed or cancelled.

Kawerau 30 Shepherds Shemozzle, Hunterville 30 Mission Mt Somers, Staveley 30 Pūtauaki Prince & Princess of the Mountain, Kawerau 31 Auckland Marathon, Devonport, Auckland 31 Omokoroa Coastal Challenge, Omokoroa, near Tauranga 31 Gizzy Trail Run Series: Eastwood Hill Arboretum, Gisborne 31 Mangonui Lions Fun Run and Walk, Mongonui 31 Turning the Tide Fundraising Walk Turning the Tide Fundraising Walk, Muriwai Beach

NOVEMBER 2021

5-21 Waiheke Walking Festival, Waiheke Island 12-14 Warkworth Walking Weekend, Warkworth 13 Pohangina Downhill Walk, 14km, Pohangina, Manawatu 14 Tois Challenge 10km & 6km Fun Walk, Whakatane 24 Cromwell Half Marathon, Cromwell 30 Bell Hill Challenge, Baldoon Farm, Canterbury 30 Kawerau King of the Mountain, Kawerau 30 Mission Mt Somers, Staveley, Can-

Pohangina Downhill walk Pohangina - 14kms from Ashhurst - Manawatu

All ages and capabilities.

Saturday13th November 2021 Downhill Walk: 8.00am -12 noon

Take a shuttle bus ride to the top of Ridge Road for an easy walk through 6 kms of farmland and native bush back to the township to County Fayre for a light lunch.

Early bird special: Adults $30.00 Children $20.00, under 5’s free.

Buses every 45 minutes.

Book on website: https://countyfayre.wordpress.com/upcoming-events/

46 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Coming Events

terbury 31 Australian Outback Marathon, 29 Sunday Mail Bridge to Brisbane 31 Auckland Marathon, Devonport, , Brisbane, Qld Yulara, NT Auckland 29 The Bloody Long Walk: Brisbane, AUGUST 2021 Sandgate, Qld 1 Broome International Airport Mara-

AUSTRALIA

JULY 2021

3-4 Gold Coast Marathon 2021, Southport, Qld 11 Cairns Marathon, Cairns, Qld 11-25 Weipa Running Festival. 42km, 21km, 10km, 5km, Weipa, Qld 12 Fig Tree Half Marathon, Cairns, Qld 13 16km Lake Morris Race, Cairns, Qld 18 Goldfields Pipeline Marathon, Kalgoorlie, WA 18 The Bloody Long Walk: Sydney North, Palm Beach to Manly, Sydney, NSW 18 Winery Running Festival, Hunter Valley, NSW 25 ASRWC Alice Springs Half Marathon, Ross, NT 25 WestlinkM7 Blacktown Running Festival, Blacktown, NSW 27 Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon, Sydney, NSW

SEPTEMBER 2021 thon, Broome, WA 11 Harvest Run, Yarra Valley, SA 1 Perth Half Marathon, Perth, WA 1 Tamworth Running Festival, Tam- 12 Coffs Run Festival, Coffs Harbour, NSW worth NSW 19 Christmas Island Marathon, Christ7 Scottsdale Half Marathon, Scottsmas Island dale, Tas 8 Coburg Harriers Half Marathon, NOVEMBER 2021 Coburg, Melbourne, Vic 7 The Canberra Times Fun Run, Can8 Moggill Marathon & Road 2 Rural berra, ACT Fun Run, Moggill, Brisbance, Qld 8 The Sun Herald City2Surf, Sydney, NSW Kiwi on the Camino 14 Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon, by Vivianne Flintoff Wagga Wagga, NSW along an 15 Sunshine Coast Marathon and 900kms ancient pilgrimage Community Run Festival, Moolo- trail in Northern olaba, Qld Spain 22 PREPD Adelaide Marathon Festi- Available from independent book sellers or val, Adelaide, SA directly from author 29 Lake Macquarie Running Festival, E-mail : vivianneflintoffbooks@gmail.com Lake Macquarie, NSW 29 Mansfield Marathon, Mansfiels, Vic Web: http://www.vivianneflintoffbooks.com/

8AM SUNDAY, 14 NOVEMBER Stunning bush, beach and clifftop trail around Whakatāne and Ōhope.

ENTER ONLINE www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

www.wahc.co.nz/tois-challenge Whakatāne Athletic and Harrier Club

whakatane.com

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

47

PULSE OXIMETERS

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

The fingertip Pulse/Oximeter can be used to measure oxygen saturation and heart pulse rate through the finger. Monitor respiratory conditions, pre and post exercise, and pre and post operative conditions.

GREAT COUNTRY BREAKS

NORTHLAND

HIKES THROUGHOUT NZ

Only

$89.00 plus $7.00 P&P

Available now from:

Walking New Zealand Shop P O Box 1922, Palmerston North Phone 0800-925-546

ROTORUA

Order online:

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz You can now view back issues of Walking New Zealand magazine,

two issues back from the latest, FREE at : http://issuu.com/walkingnewzealand.

ROTORUA

ROTORUA

PORTABLE LOCATOR BEACONS

THINK SAFETY THIS SUMMER OnlyOnly $449 SPECIAL SPECIAL $479

including including P&P P&P

ACR ResQLink PLB 375 ACR- ResQLink PLB - 375

Includes Free gifts with purchase including FREE 167 pice 1st aid$449 kit, LED torch, Only P&P SPECIAL HD Pouch and more!

ACR ResQLink PLB - 375 Includes Free giftsawith Have Safepurchase and Happy Summer

COVER ALL YOUR BASES

$15 - 1 day

$15 - 1 day Now available in 41 outlets 3 days $40 -- 7 Available for sale/hire $30 $30 3 -days days $15 $40- -17day days Farm Safe and OSH are now pushing$30 for for every week after $40 7 COVER ALL YOUR BASES $30 3 days $30 for- every week after all farmers who work on their own to $30 for every week after Now in 41inoutlets your first week of hire haveavailable one of these their safety kit COVER ALL YOUR BASES AvailableNow foravailable sale/hire in 41 outlets Ph (03) 226 6341 Farm Safe andAvailable OSH are nowfor pushing for sale/hire or (027) 412 2925 all farmers who work their to pushing for Farm Safeon and OSH own are now all farmers who work on have one of these in their safety kittheir own towww.locatorbeacons.co.nz have one of these in their safety kit

You can now view back issues of Walking New Zealand magazine,

two issues back from the latest, FREE at : http://issuu.com/walkingnewzealand.

48 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 -no 2021 48 Walking New Zealand, issue 281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

GISBORNE

TARANAKI

Dave & Carol Digby Ph: 06-765-7482

GREAT COUNTRY BREAKS NELSON

Fully licensed owner/operators (since 2001)

TRAMPING - CYCLING - TRANSPORT

HIKES THROUGHOUT NZ

* Heaphy Track * Abel Tasman * Cobb Valley * Old Ghost Road

‘Carry less, enjoy more’ Come explore with us! www.kahurangiwalks.co.nz

Phone 03 391 4120 CANTERBURY

NATIONAL PARK

WAIRARAPA

Whakapapa Holiday Park Unique walking experience over private farmland and Wairarapa Coastline, with two or three day options. Awesone scenery, rustic accommodation and delicious meals. For further information visit www.oruiwalk.co.nz

Whareama Coastal Walk offee Onsite C trailer and Food

Fully serviced campground nestled in the heart of Tongariro National Park, surrounded by beautiful native trees and rivers. Plenty of bird life. We have powered sites, cabins, tent sites, backpacker rooms and a lodge that sleeps 32.

Whakapapa Village, Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park 3951 PH 07 892 3897 - info@whakapapa.net.nz

Fully catered 2 Day Walking Adventure over private farmland with isolated Wairarapa coastline views.

Phone (06) 372 3722

www.whareamawalk.co.nz

Please tell our advertisers you saw it advertised in Walking New Zealand magazine.

WAIRARAPA

MARLBOROUGH

KAIKOURA COAST TRACK Awesome 2 days getaway to go home refreshed

Discover new landscapes Farm accommodation Bags transferred daily Hike into nature

03 319 2715 www.kaikouratrack.co.nz

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

Walking New Zealand, issue281 no 281 - 202149 49 Walking New Zealand, issue no - 2021

AKAROA

MT VERNON LODGE

GREAT COUNTRY BREAKS

SOUTHLAND

MACKENZIE/South Canterbury

Set on 6 hectares in the heart of Akaroa, Mt Vernon Lodge offers a variety of accommodation, from economy rooms to cottages and cabins/chalet with full facilities.

A unique four days walk or mountain bike ride in idyllic South Canterbury

Phone 03-685-4848 Email: info@walkfourpeaks.co.nz

STEWART ISLAND

* Freedom $245 * Prime $545 * Guided $1695

STEWART ISLAND

Manicured lawns and mature trees coupled with amazing views and great facilities make Mt Vernon Lodge your only choice for your stay in Akaroa.

Contact David & Amanda Kinnaird 33 Purple Peak Road, Akaroa

03 304 7180 info@mtvernon.co.nz www.mtvernon.co.nz

Please tell our advertisers you saw it advertised in Walking New Zealand magazine.

Please tell our advertisers you saw it in Walking New Zealand magazine.

NORTH CANTERBURY

NORTH CANTERBURY

Please tell our advertisers you saw it in Walking New Zealand magazine.

THINK SAFETY THIS SUMMER OnlyOnly $449 SPECIAL SPECIAL $479

including including P&P P&P

Self guided private walking track * Choose between 3 or 2 day options. * Lodge style accommodation with fully serviced kitchens, BBQ, hot showers, comfortable bunk-beds and pillows. * Dogs welcome, kennels available at lodgings. * Pack transport each day makes for a stress free adventure.

Check our availability calendar online www.islandhillsstation.com New Zealand, issue no 281 -no 2021 50 Walking 50 Walking New Zealand, issue 281 - 2021

ACR ResQLink PLB 375 ACR- ResQLink PLB - 375

Includes Free gifts with purchase including FREE 167 pice 1st aid$449 kit, LED torch, Only P&P SPECIAL HD Pouch ACR ResQLink PLB - 375and more!

Includes Free giftsawith Have Safepurchase and Happy Summer

COVER ALL YOUR BASES

$15 - 1 day

$15 - 1 day Now available in 41 outlets 3 days $40 -7 Available for sale/hire $30 $30 3 -days $15 $40- -17day days Farm Safe and OSH are now pushing$30 for for every week after $40 7 COVER ALL YOUR BASES $30 3 days days $30 for-- every week after all farmers who work on their own to $30 for every week after Now in 41inoutlets your first week of hire haveavailable one of these their safety kit COVER ALL YOUR BASES AvailableNow foravailable sale/hire in 41 outlets Ph (03) 226 6341 Farm Safe andAvailable OSH are nowfor pushing for sale/hire or (027) 412 2925 all farmers who work their to pushing for Farm Safeon and OSH own are now all farmers who work on have one of these in their safety kittheir own towww.locatorbeacons.co.nz have one of these in their safety kit

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

PAK - A - ROO

Walking Hiking Jacket Wicking Lining

Only

$129.00 plus $7.00 P&P

To order:

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz Freephone 0800 925-546- walking THE

WALKING NEW ZEALAND MAIL ORDER

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz

SHOP

WALKING NEW ZEALAND Ltd, P O Box 1922, Palmerston North, 4440 Phone 06-358-6863: fax 06-358-6864 or freephone 0800-925-546

Colours: Red, Navy, Dark Olive, Brown Sizes XS - S - M - L - XL - XXL Weight approximately 800gms

Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

51

GRAB YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND GET READY FOR TAUPO AT ITS VERY BEST!

SATURDAY 31 JULY

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

MARATHON, HALF MARATHON 10KM, 5KM & KIDS DASH

BRING THE WHOLE WHANAU! ENTER TODAY AT TAUPOMARATHON.CO.NZ 52 Walking New Zealand, issue no 281 - 2021

www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz