21 minute read
New Zealand Great Walk: Great Walks myth busting
Great Walks myth busting
By Department of Conservation
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e’ve been blown away by
Wthe interest New Zealander’s have shown over the last couple of years in undertaking a Great Walk.
Last year, defying all expectations with borders closed, on the first day of bookings opening for each walk, numbers were up an average of 40% compared to the previous year. This year, they were up another 70%! But that doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance get out on a Great Walk this year as you’ll see below.
The flip side of all this interest has meant there’s been a wee bit of misinformation going around about booking onto our Great Walks and even the odd conspiracy theory. From people seeking to know if we had given all the best spots to tourism businesses even before bookings opened, to claims that bulk bookings were being made by bots or, heaven forbid, Australians (seriously people), we’ve seen it all this year. So we’ve written this blog to tackle the most common misconceptions and provide advice on how best to bag your spot.
Myth #1: The Great Walks are all booked out
No they aren’t – not even close! Across the network of 10 Great Walks, there’s about 45% of hut space available and 95% of campsites available.
The Milford Track is the only Great Walk that has sold out so far and even that will have cancellations across the year.
You may not be able to book a party of 25 into huts on the Routeburn over New Year, but there are still PLENTY of opportunities to get out there.
Top tip: Great Walks with the most hut capacity currently include the Whanganui River Journey, Tongariro Northern Circuit, Lake Waikaremoana, Heaphy, Rakiua and Abel Tasman Coast tracks (see graph opposite page.
Myth #2: It’s just the Milford right?
We have ten Great Walks and they are all epic. While everyone who has done it during a reasonable weather window would probably agree, the Milford is pretty special, there are nine other mind-blowingly beautiful Great Walks out there offering walking (plus biking and paddling) opportunities throughout the year.
Top tip: If it’s diversity of scenery, incredible nature (including takahē) and lush rainforest you’re after, try the Heaphy. Left: Takahē on the Heaphy Track.
Myth #3: You can’t camp on a Great Walk
Milford and Paparoa tracks are the only Great Walks where campsites aren’t provided. You can book camp sites on all the other walks. We know carrying a tent, sleeping bag and mat, and all the cooking equipment you’ll need, really isn’t for everyone. But for those who are keen and able, this is a cheaper option. Camping offers heaps of capacity for groups and night-time quiet and privacy for those who want it. Great Walk campsites range in price from $5 to $32 a night, with New Zealand adults paying no more than $21 a night even in peak season.
Top tip: For people new to combining camping with tramping, with a warmer climate and multiple entry and exit points allowing you to do shorter trips, the Abel Tasman Coast Track would be a good place to start.
Myth #4: Half the places are already taken before bookings even open
No they really aren’t! No one gets early access to the booking system. (for example I’ve worked for DOC for 13 years and I have to book onto the Great Walks the same way everyone else does).
Agents (such as i-SITES who make bookings for customers over the counter or on the phone) and concessionaires (the majority of which are walking or kayaking guides) book Great Walks in the same way Above: The mighty Milford. Below: Routeburn Flats.. Photo Lizzy Sutcliffe
Great Walks mythbusting
the public does (i.e. online when bookings open on a first come, first served basis, including the details of each client).
Top tip: While no one gets an advantage, it does pay to be prepared in advance of bookings opening: • Check our website in May to see when bookings open for each Great Walk and set a reminder in advance of bookings opening for your preferred walk. • Make sure you have created your customer account in advance of bookings opening. • We recommend using the latest versions of either Chrome or Firefox web browsers. Also, having a strong internet connection will help, as losing connectivity part way thorough your booking will often lead to the loss of that booking. • If you open the booking screen prior to the specified opening time you will need to refresh your screen when bookings open in order to see where there are spaces and to make your booking. • Have a few dates in mind, and consider choosing quieter times (i.e. not New Year, long weekends, Easter etc) or quieter walks. • Have the details of everyone in your group to hand so you can quickly enter these into the system. • Try again for dates, as multiple group members may make duplicate booking and then drop them particularly during the first 25 minutes of bookings opening. Also try again over the coming months as people cancel. • Finally - be prepared (like booking concert tickets for Lorde) that for peak dates and popular walks, there’s a good chance no matter how organised you are, you may not get your preferred spot. It’s really quite likely unfortunately.
Above: Lake Waikaremoana at Sunset.
Myth #5: Tourism businesses are taking up all the spots
No, they absolutely aren’t. Our bookings data shows that public/ independant bookings make up 93% of total bednights booked, concessionaires (e.g. guides and agents) make up just 4% of bookings and 3% are school or community groups. Concessionaires must enter into the booking system the names and details of each person booked before the start of their booking.
Across all ten Great Walks we have over 280,000 hut bed nights for sale. On the first days of bookings opening 4,300 were sold via concessionaires, that equates to just 1.5% of all available hut spaces.
Top tip: Not everyone has the skills, physical abilities or confidence to set out on a multi-day tramp independently. If you’d like more support, or just want a comfy bed and hot shower at the end of the day, guided walking options might be for you.
Myth #6: Great Walks are mainly for international visitors
While these walks are world-famous and well loved by our international guests, they have always been well-used by Kiwis. The introduction of differential pricing for international visitors (now on 7 Great Walks) has led to a rise in New Zealanders accessing these walks and, of course, the current border restrictions have seen the numbers of Kiwis on these walks go through the roof. This year about 92% of bookings are from New Zealanders.
Top tip: Kiwi kids (17 years and under) are free on the Great Walks. You can take your tamariki for an overnight option on most of the walks. Our recommendation would be hiking into Routeburn Flats Hut or taking a water taxi in to overnight on the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Myth #7: “DOC should just put more huts in!”
While we have already established that there’s heaps of capacity across the 10 Great Walks, we get asked all the time why we don’t just expand huts and bunk spaces – on the Paparoa and Milford tracks in particular. The Great Walks have a limited number of bed spaces (camping space and bunks in huts), to keep numbers at an appropriate level – this ensures the natural and cultural heritage surrounding these walks is protected and that people have a high-quality experience on them.
Top tip: Most Great walks can be done in either direction so if your huts are booked out going one way on a walk, try seeing if there might be availability across your preferred dates doing the walk in the opposite direction.
Myth #8: We can only do the Great Walks in the summer
and packing, six Great Walks can be undertaken all year round: Lake Waikaremoana, the Whanganui River Journey, Abel Tasman, Heaphy, Paparoa and Rakiura.
Due to greatly increased risks for walkers over the colder months, there is a Great Walks Season (October to April) for the southern Great Walks (Milford, Routeburn and Kepler) and Tongariro Northern Circuit. Outside the Great Walks Season these walks should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well-equipped people as facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional hazards such as ice underfoot, river crossings and avalanches.
Top tip: Winter is generally a great time to get onto the Heaphy and Abel Tasman tracks.
In summary, we do acknowledge the disappointment that many are feeling at not getting their spot on their preferred walk this year (or previous years). Alongside DOC’s delight at seeing more New Zealanders than ever take up the opportunity to get onto their world-famous walks (this is what our heritage and visitor rangers and teams come to work for), we also acknowledge that if 3,240 people bagged their spot on the Milford within the first hour of bookings opening, then it’s likely another 3,240 people missed out. That sucks for them. We wish we could enable all New Zealanders (even those who wouldn’t do a Great Walk if you paid them) could get out and enjoy a Great Walk (no seriously non-Great Walk people, we think you’d love it – go on).
The Great Walks are diverse and delivered locally to suit the nature of each walk and align with National Park Management Plans etc., so the rules and systems do vary.
You do need to do some organising in advance. Besides booking onto the walks, you need to do your homework regarding how to ensure you are properly prepared for your adventure and there are wider logistics to sort including transport to and from the start and finish of each walk.
Our Great Walks are the popstars of the walking world. The pressure on peak dates for popular walks or walks where bed spaces are (out of necessity) limited, can certainly make the booking process competitive. We do however ensure that the system has significant bandwidth to deal with the high demand and as a result the Milford does sell out rapidly.
We understand why customers might be surprised by how quickly space are filled, but it is a case of demand exceeding supply.
This also means that some will try to get around the system by making speculative bookings or trying to onsell their spots. Our investigations show this hasn’t been a significant issue to date, but we are onto this and have checks and balances in place to prevent it from happening. We also monitor bookings and have a team that can respond where needed.
At the heart of our Great Walks booking system is a team of dedicated people ensuring we provide a fair and transparent service that delivers the best possible opportunity for everyone to get into nature.
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New walks on Warkworth Walks this year
Warkworth Walks turns lucky 13 from Friday 12 November to Sunday 14 November 2021.
Brand new to the 2021 programme is the Takatu Rock Hop taking walkers along the southern coastline of Takatu Peninsula, visiting the beaches and bays along the way, and enjoying amazing views of Kawau Bay.
The walk culminates in a visit to Omaio, a stunning private garden that you won’t want to miss.
Also new for 2021 is Walk on Water, a walk and kayak combo trail that takes in the gorgeous trails between Snells Beach and Sandspit, and then a kayak trip up the Matakana River where we will disembark and stroll to Matakana village for lunch. The best of land and water.
But wait, there’s yet another new trail for this year! For the Kawau Old Coach Road trail, we’ll take the ferry to Kawau Island and walk the little-visited old coach road running along the eastern coast of the island.
There are glorious views of the outer Hauraki Gulf and Coromandel Peninsula, and the rocky reefs below. Our local guide has lots of stories to tell and there will be some fine hospitality at the end of the road.
The Bigger Big Omaha Trail is going to reverse direction and go south to north this year in the hopes of having a swim at the end. At roughly Left; Walkers on a coastal walk.
by Judith Doyle
Published by New Holland Publishers.
Send cheque for $25 (this includes P&P) to: Judith Doyle, #3, 14 Oriental Tce Oriental Bay, Wellington.
New walks on Warkworth Walks this year
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19km of uphill and down-dale, this is for serious walkers who enjoy a solid day out with spectacular views over Pakiri and Omaha Bay.
The ever-popular Vineyard Trail was tweaked last year and now includes a visit to Beetopia, an enormously popular stop. Meet the amazing host and her bees, taste the honey and buzz around the grounds. We also get to enjoy the artworks at Sculptureum, and visit several local vineyards.
Crowd favourite, Duck Creek Explorer, gets a change up this year to include visits to Bohemian Cider and a new private trail on Solway Farm. Still full of fun and tastings, it’s sure to sell out again.
Totally Tamahunga takes you to the top of our local maunga through regenerating native forest. Tamahunga is one of the highest points in the region and the historic site of Otamahua pā. There are beautiful views from the summit and a well-deserved lunch stop to look forward to.
Mahu West Wonderland is back so you can enjoy the glorious views, native bush and gorgeous beaches
Above: A walk beside a stream. Middle left: Walking throigh a paddock of flowers. Below left: Looking back at a great view of Orewa. Below: On a dirt Track.
of Mahurangi West. It’s another recent addition to Auckland Council’s regional park network and you can see it before the rest of Auckland.
Lush native bush, peace and quiet, a solid walk, and a pizza and beer finale are the ingredients in the ever-popular Pohuehue to Puhoi Trail. Take it all in, along with some glimpses of the new northern motorway project.
Mahurangi Masterpiece is a longer walk across beautiful farmland that follows the coastline of Kawau Bay. You’ll see picturesque bays, and some spectacular coastal puriri and pohutukawa. Take a look at Auckland Council’s newest regional park before anyone else gets there.
The coastal classic, Goat Island to Pakiri, is back again this year. There is no finer way to see this magnificent stretch of coastline, incorporating marine reserve, rocky shore, soaring hillsides and white sand beach. Truly splendid.
Make a long weekend of it and take in a selection of the great walks on offer. Check the website and plan your visit. Remember to book early to avoid disappointment. We look forward to seeing you for Warkworth Walks 2021.
Website: www.warkworthwalks. co.nz
Above: Walking over a rocky area.
WarkworthWalks
WALKS WORTH DOING Friday-Sunday 12-14 Nov 2021
www.warkworthwalks.co.nz
11 fascinating guided trails through the unique & beautiful surrounds of Mahurangi, Kawau, Warkworth & Matakana, including otherwise inaccessible areas & local hospitality. Featuring new & updated walks.
Opotiki sits on the sweeping eastern Bay of Plenty coast, two hours’ drive from Tauranga. The town is the northern gateway to Motu Trails, one of 22 Great Rides making up Nga Haerenga, New Zealand Cycle Trails—the Dunes Trail and Pakihi Track both offer excellent walking as well as biking. Beyond Motu Trails there’s good reason for a longer stay in Opotiki, with several other excellent walks.
Dunes Trail
This 10km trail is the most popular section of Motu Trails, attracting as many walkers as bikers.
In the summer peak, the Dunes Trail can get busy, but most times of the year there’s ample space—and in winter an outlook of an empty beach is common.
Complementing the magnificent coastal views, since the trail opened, local volunteers have dug in around 25,000 trees and plants.
Start the Dunes Trail at Memorial Park, at the northern end of Opotiki. Walk over the Otara River on the impressive Pakowhai ki Otutaopuku Bridge and after 600 metres you’ll reach the coastal dunes.
Around the trail’s 800 metre mark there are several bird tile displays, with life-sized birds made in pottery and mounted on concrete culvert ends. Check it out, then keep an eye out for the real thing.
The Dunes Trail surface is compacted gravel and about two metres
The best of Opotiki: 5 easy walks in the eastern Bay of Plenty wide, with no steep gradients and a maximum elevation of about 20 metres. Walk to Hukuwai Beach and back (5km total), Tirohanga Beach and back (12km total), or to the shelter at the eastern end of the trail and back (18km total). There’s handy accommodation at Tirohanga Beach Holiday Park, Opotiki Holiday Park, and Eastland Pacific Motor Lodge, all Motu Trails official partners.
Hukutaia Domain
This is a stunning pocket of forest, with a well-formed track around the perimeter. You can walk around the whole of Hukutaia Domain in about Above: New trail at Waiotahe Beach, 5km from Opotiki. Photo Jim Robinson.
Above: Riders midway along the Dunes Trail, on the approach to Tirohanga beach. Photo Jim Robinson. Below: Hukutaia Domain is a short, but superb, walk.
Photo Jim Robinson.
Great walking on the Pakihi and other tracks.
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15 minutes, but this place is so special it’s easy to spend a couple of hours.
Hukutaia’s highlight is unquestionably taketakerau, a puriri tree of colossal scale (a girth of over 20 metres) and estimated at 2000 years old. The enormous trunk is hollow and in ancient times, taketakerau was used as a burial tree by Te Upokorehe tribe.
It remains tapu. Local resident Marnie Anstis wrote a popular book based on the tree’s life, called The Millennium Tree, which is available from Opotiki i-SITE.
Hukutaia is looked after by an environmental care group and with comprehensive predator trapping, the domain has good bird life. There’s a wide range of tree and plant species too, thanks largely to the efforts of early-caretaker Norman Potts, who collected rare plants from around the country.
Hukutaia Domain is 10 minutes’ drive from Opotiki town. To get there, at the western end of the Waioeka River SH2 bridge, turn onto Woodlands Road and drive south for 7km, almost to the road end.
Pakihi Track
The Pakihi is rated as an advanced ride for cyclists, but for any experienced hiker/walker the track is easy going.
There’s 20km of track, with a basic DOC hut at midway, so you can choose between a shorter out-andback day walk, or getting a drop-off and walking the full length, or doing an overnight trip (a growing number of keen beans walk all the way to Motu).
The southern entrance of Pakihi
Above left: Ohiwa harbour, seen from the hillside of Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park. Photo Jim
Robinson. Middle left: Taketakerau, the sacred puriri tree at Hukutaia Domain, is estimated at 2000 years old. Photo
Track is at almost 600 metres elevation, on the gravel Motu Road. From there, the track twists down through Urutawa Conservation Area, to the Pakihi Road end, which is south of Opotiki.
While the surrounding slopes are in places near vertical, the track is well formed (though very prone to rockfalls). The gradient is never steep, there are no steps or large roots to negotiate, and the benching seldom goes below a metre wide.
Higher up, the forest is dominated by kamahi, which gives way to tawa. There’s podocarp too, including some fine miro trees hung with rata vine. Lower down, there are lots of nikau, tanekaha and rewarewa.
To get a drop-off at the Motu Road end, get a group together and contact a Motu Trails shuttle operator (see motutrails.co.nz for operators).
To park at the track’s northern end, drive 23km from Opotiki, down Otara and (gravel) Pakihi roads. From Opotiki, it takes 35 minutes.
There’s handy accommodation at Weka Wilds and Bushaven (both near the Opotiki-end of the track), or up at Motu at The Weka Nest and
Above right: Pakihi Track has
fabulous forest. Photo Mead Norton Photography. Below right:: Pakihi Track is a popular trail run; The full length out-and-back is almost exactly a marathon distance. Photo StudioZag.
Motu Community House. Pakihi Hut tickets are $5 per person per night, ask in Opotiki i-SITE.
Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park
Ohiwa Harbour is a gem of the region, a mostly tidal estuary nestled behind the peninsular of Ohope Beach.
Overlooking the harbour, 15 minutes’ drive from Opotiki, is Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park.
The tracks here (walking only, no cycling) are fairly steep, with steps and a bit uneven in places, but the distances are short.
On the hilltops are the pa sites Onekawa and Te Mawhai, presenting sensational views of Ohiwa, Ohope, Moutohora (Whale island) and out towards East Cape.
The bush sections of the regional park feature impressive puriri and pohutukawa trees. There’s extensive trapping across the whole area led by Ohiwa Headland Sanctuary care group, so there’s plentiful bird life.
From Opotiki, take SH2 to the bridge at Waiotahe, turn onto Ohiwa Beach Road then Ohiwa Harbour Road. An ideal place to stay is Ohiwa Holiday Park, from where one of the tracks heads straight up to Onekawa.
Waiotahe Beach
If you want sweeping beach views for minimal effort, it’s hard to beat this coastal wander.
Three kilometres of track has been installed in recent months, with hopes of connecting the trail back to Opotiki. Start at Waiotahe Beach at the pou whenua (carved poles), 4km from Opotiki, or at Island View Holiday Park which is another ideal base for an Opotiki stay.
The flat gravel coastal trail extends towards Te Ahiaua Reserve (the Pipi Beds).
The coastal sand dunes are very low here so the ocean views are uninterrupted. Most of the way you’re in front of the Pohutukawa trees that form SH2’s iconic tree tunnel heading for Opotiki.
To find out more, visit motutrails. co.nz, exploretheeastcape.co.nz, and opotikinz.co.nz. To have a map and information about trails posted to you free (NZ only), contact jim@motutrails.co.nz
Above left: Waharoa (gateway) to
Hukutaia Domain. Photo Jim Robinson. Above right: Miro entwined with rata vine, high on Pakihi Track.
Photo Jim Robinson. Below left: The lower 8km of Pakihi Track follows Pakihi Stream. Photo
Above: Pakihi swing bridge, 8km from Pakihi Road end and 1km
from the hut. Photo StudioZag.
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