Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trekking in the North Island
Trekking (aka bushwalking, hiking, or tramping as Kiwis call it) is the perfect vehicle for a
close encounter with the North Island's natural beauty. There are thousands of kilometres
of tracks here − some well marked (including three of New Zealand's celebrated 'Great
Walks'), some barely a line on a map − plus an excellent network of huts enabling trampers
to avoid lugging tents and (in some cases) cooking gear. Before plodding off into the forest,
get up-to-date information from the appropriate authority − usually the Department of Con-
servation (DOC) or regional i-SITE visitor information centres.
Planning Your Tramp
When to Go
Mid-December-late January
Tramping high season is during the school summer holidays, starting a couple of weeks
before Christmas − avoid it if you can.
January-March
The summer weather lingers into March: wait until February if you can, when tracks are less crowded.
June-August
Winter is not the time to be out in the wild, especially at altitude − some paths close in winter because of
snow and there are correspondingly lower levels of facilities and services.
What to Bring
Primary considerations: your feet and your shoulders. Make sure your footwear is as tough
as old boots and that your pack isn't too heavy. If you're camping or staying in huts
without stoves, bring a camping stove. Also bring insect repellent to keep sandflies away,
and don't forget your scroggin − a mixture of dried fruit and nuts (and sometimes chocol-
ate) for munching en route.
