Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RESPONSIBLE TRAMPING
If you went straight from the cradle into a pair of hiking boots, some of these tramping tips will seem ridiculously
obvious; others you mightn't have considered. Online, the 'leave no trace' website ( www.lnt.org ) is a great re-
source for low-impact hiking, and the DOC site ( www.camping.org.nz ) has plenty more responsible camping tips.
When in doubt, ask DOC or i-SITE staff.
The ridiculously obvious:
» Time your tramp to avoid peak season: fewer people equals less stress on the environment and fewer snorers in
the huts.
» Carry out all your rubbish. Burying rubbish disturbs soil and vegetation, encourages erosion, and animals will
probably dig it up anyway.
» Don't use detergents, shampoo or toothpaste in or near watercourses (even if they're biodegradable).
» Use lightweight kerosene, alcohol or Shellite (white gas) stoves for cooking; avoid disposable butane gas canis-
ters.
» Where there's a toilet, use it. Where there isn't one, dig a hole and bury your by-product (at least 15cm deep,
100m from any watercourse).
» If a track passes through a muddy patch, just plough straight on through − skirting around the outside increases
the size of the bog.
You mightn't have considered:
» Wash your dishes 50m from watercourses; use a scourer, sand or snow instead of detergent.
» If you really need to scrub your bod, use biodegradable soap and a bucket, at least 50m from any watercourse.
Spread the waste water around widely to help the soil filter it.
» If open fires are allowed, use only dead, fallen wood in existing fireplaces. Leave any extra wood for the next
happy camper.
» Keep food-storage bags out of reach of scavengers by tying them to rafters or trees.
» Feeding wildlife can lead to unbalanced populations, diseases and animals becoming dependent on handouts.
Keep your dried apricots to yourself.
Great Walks
Three of NZ's nine official 'Great Walks' are on the North Island, and one is actually a
highly regarded river trip. Natural beauty abounds, but prepare yourself for crowds, espe-
cially during summer.
All three of the North Island's Great Walks are described in Lonely Planet's Tramping
in New Zealand, and are detailed in pamphlets provided by DOC visitor centres.
To tramp these tracks you'll need to buy Great Walk Tickets before setting out. These
track-specific tickets cover you for hut accommodation (from $22 to $54 per adult per
night, depending on the track and season) and/or camping ($6 to $18 per adult per night).
You can camp only at designated camping grounds. In the off-peak season (May to
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