By Rama Gaind.
Ben Lamond, near Queenstown, New Zealand, is a challenging track with a 1,438m elevation gain of the walk.
We share opportunities for adventure to spread the love of walking, hiking and the great outdoors. As Jean-Paul Sartre rightly said: “For an occurrence to become an adventure it is necessary and sufficient for one to recount it”.
Walking isn’t just good for you physically, it’s said to even strengthen your memory, promote creativity and even reduce stress. Spending time in the great outdoors hiking or camping is one of the best ways we know to de-stress and recharge after a hectic week at work.
New Zealand, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, has well-established and maintained trail network that offers a remarkably diverse array of hikes for every ability and interest.
There are plenty of opportunities for walking and hiking throughout this island country for short, day or multi walks on North and South Islands. Why not look at national parks that cover more than 30.000 square kilometres, full to the brim with beautiful, natural scenery ready to explore.
With thousands of kilometres of tracks, there are walking and hiking options to suit all levels of fitness and experience. It is the best way to see beautiful landscapes and explore vast wilderness areas.
Welcome to a walker’s paradise, where a network of trails winds past rugged coastlines, through farmland, river valleys and towering forest, to dramatic mountain ranges.
Walking is the best way to see beautiful landscapes and explore vast wilderness areas in New Zealand.
The diversity of tracks across New Zealand’s national parks and reserves means there’s something for everyone, from leisurely nature trails that bring unique ecosystems into focus, to challenging multi-day adventures in remote, untouched wilderness.
Adventure specials
Adventure travel specialist, the World Expeditions Travel Group, has launched a new Great Walks of New Zealand brand, comprising 21 self-guided and guided walks of varying degrees of challenge and duration on New Zealand’s South Island.
Crafted to offer active adventurers maximum flexibility, walkers can choose between a professionally guided, pack-free walk, complete with luggage transfers and carefully selected lodge/cabin style accommodation and a self-guided, full-pack carrying trek, with shared accommodation at DOC Great Walk or a private hut.
Ranging from a four-day introductory style walk through to a 12-day challenging trek, there is something for every level of fitness in the Great Walks of New Zealand
offering and, with customised walks also available, it’s possible to include virtually any combination of walks into the one itinerary.
Well-known regions are featured, with six walks on the magnificent Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds region, ranging from an introductory level hike and cruise combination itinerary to a self-guided six-day, extended hike. There are four variations in the Abel Tasman National Park and a five-day self-guided Heaphy Hike.
With thousands of kilometres of tracks in New Zealand, there are walking and hiking options to suit all levels of fitness and experience.
Consistent with World Expeditions’ reputation for off the beaten track walks, there are self-guided hikes on lesser known tracks including Banks Peninsula, Old Ghost, Paparoa, the Kaikoura Coastal and on the Nydia Track, on offer.
According to World Expeditions CEO Sue Badyari, the concept for a dedicated New Zealand walking range coincided with the company becoming a founding member of the Great Walks of Australia for its Classic Larapinta Trek in comfort.
“We registered the Great Walks of New Zealand domain name more than five years ago and we’ve been in actively researching and developing the new itineraries for the last 18 months,” Ms Badyari said.
“With a focus on affordability and flexibility, there are options for couples, small groups of friends and families,” she said. “As we return to overseas travel, whenever that may be, I think New Zealand will be a highly sought after destination.”
In the coming months, the range will be expanded to include North Island walks with COVID-safe protocols in place.
‘Secret’ trails
Explore the 100% Pure New Zealand brand to discover the ‘best kept secret’ walks as you hike the quieter trails that go beyond any guidebook. Looking to walk the very best of New Zealand’s landscapes away from busier trails?
In New Zealand, look for adventure in national parks that cover more than 30,000 square kilometres, full to the brim with beautiful, natural scenery ready to explore.
Tourism New Zealand offers hiking in the Southern Alps to self-guided walks suitable for beginners. Their expertise in finding the paths less travelled translates to unique walking experiences that you won’t find in any local guidebook.
Combine the classics with the remote, and you’ll find top high country hiking for uninterrupted vistas. Hike along the ridgeline to the top of Ben Lomond.
On the Fiordland, Hollyford and Stewart Island Trails, travel to the edge of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, passing through wetlands and ancient native forests to revel in jaw-dropping landscapes. In Milford Sound, avoid the busy trekking routes away from the crowds. There’s also a helicopter ride over Milford Sound before trekking along three sections of New Zealand’s Great Walks: Hollyford, Routeburn and Kelper.
The Marlborough Sounds and Abel Tasman trek is great for beginners. There’s an impressive blend of remote and iconic walks on the upper South Island, including the stunning Kaikoura Peninsula Walk and the finest sections of Queen Charlotte Track for an exciting ridge top walk.
Package deals are now available. All that remains is for the ban to be lifted on overseas travel from Australia. That day, too, will come our way.
DETAILS BOX
Great Walks of New Zealand
https://worldexpeditions.com/walking-trips/Best-New-Zealand-Walks
https://www.newzealand.com/au/walking-and-hiking/
