PRINT MODULESection One
New Zealand has a stunning array of well-kept walkways and tracks.They provide access to unique wilderness areas and virgin rainforests. The energetic walker can discover glacier-carved valleys and traverse mountain passes, while the more sedate day-walker can explore golden beaches, bush walks and other sites of scenic interest.
About one third of New Zealand's sparsely populated land has been set aside in conservation areas for the benefit and enjoyment of the public and increasing numbers of eco-tourists.
- New Zealand offers clients a diversity of landscapes and walking environments not found anywhere else.
- When New Zealand separated from Gondwanaland, plants and animals existed and evolved for millions of years without outside intervention, leaving a legacy of unique flora and fauna for the visitor to discover today. This includes the world’s only flightless parrot, the Kakapo and the only alpine parrot, the Kea.
- Situated on two colliding tectonic plates, New Zealand has a rich volcanic history and an alpine landscape exceeding 2000 metres on many walks. New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt Cook stands at 3754 metres/12,308 feet and the Southern Alps contains more than 40 peaks exceeding 3000 metres.
- There are a variety of walks available for all experience and fitness levels, from 15 minute loop walks to five day mountain pass tracks.
- Tracks are well maintained and do not require permits for day visits in most cases.
- Most extended walks require up to five hours walking per day to reach a hut or campsite.
Guided walking vs. Independent walking
Guided walking
Guided Walking offers clients the opportunity and security of experiencing a track with a trained guide who has intimate knowledge of the walking track, region, history and wildlife. International travellers do not have to bring specialist equipment with them as this is usually supplied by the guiding company.
Many companies only require the client carry a day pack with sufficient water and snacks, while luggage is transported for them.
Guided walk operators provide all meals and comfortable lodge facilites, a highlight being civilised bathrooms and showers. The lodges are usually separate from independent walkers’ huts, which have more basic, communal living.
Walkers on a guided experience can walk at their own pace - there is absolutely no pressure to walk as a group.
There are many guided walk operators, some of which are listed below:
www.walknewzealand.com
www.guidedwalks.co.nz
www.ultimatehikes.co.nz
or search for listings on the product listings section of this website
Independent walking
Independent walking is for clients who prefer a lower cost, no frills walking experience.
Independent walkers will utilise Department of Conservation (DOC) accommodation facilities or campgrounds. Some walks will require pre-booking and all will require pre-purchase of hut and campsite passes.
The Department of Conservation website www.doc.govt.nz should be recommended to your clients choosing to walk independently in New Zealand.
It has comprehensive information on many extended walks and gives information regarding whether a track should be pre-booked. If pre-booking a track is required, this means a hut bunk is allocated. For tracks that do not have a pre-booking system, bunks are on a first-in-first-served basis.
Types of Walks
There are hundreds of walking opportunities throughout New Zealand to suit all ages and abilities. In this module we have broken the walks into the Great Walks, Major Tracks and one day walks. There are guided options on most of these walks, or your clients can walk independently.
Great Walks
Great Walks are DOC’s premier walking tracks. The huts and tracks on the Great Walks are of a higher standard than other walking tracks, and many of the Great Walks have booking systems to manage visitor flows.
The Great Walks are the Milford Track, Routeburn Track, Kepler Track, Rakuira Track, Heaphy Track, Abel Tasman Coastal Track, Tongaririo Northern Circuit and Lake Waikaremoana Track.
The Whanganui River Journey (3-5 days) is also classified as a Great Walk.
Visitors walking independently should be directed to the DOC website www.doc.govt.nz for details on pre-booking a Great Walk.
A Great Walks pass is required to stay in the huts on these tracks if walking independently, but no permits are required for day walking access.
Major Tracks
These represent some of the most popular walks in New Zealand. Tracks and huts are maintained by DOC however not to Great Walks standards.
Farm Parks & Private Walks
These are private farms and properties that have created walkways in otherwise inaccessible areas such as the Banks Peninsula and the Kaikoura Coastal Walk. Fees to access walkways apply and usually include accommodation.
Other types of walks around the country include KiwiWalks (usually less than 1 hour in duration), forest and regional walks and heritage trails.
www.heritagetrails.org.nz
Walking tours
Visit www.newzealand.com for a comprehensive listing of guided walk operators. Some operators have walking tours which include short or day walks in National Parks and Forest Parks around New Zealand along with other activities and attractions.
