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Archives For 30/11/1999

Camping, walking/hiking/tramping, hunting, huts, cabins and campsites.

Experiencing the Rimutaka Incline

Department of Conservation —  21/05/2013

By Chrissy Wickes, Biodiversity Ranger, Te Anau

Over two days my partner, our child and I biked the Rimutaka Incline outside of Wellington and camped at Cross Creek. DOC and the Wellington Regional Council jointly manage the incline as the Rimutaka Rail Trail.

Phil riding along the Rimutaka Rail Trail with the chariot.

Riding along the Rimutaka Rail Trail

A tunnel on the Rimutaka Rail Trail.

A tunnel along the way

It was fabulous and the surface of the track was excellent for our two and a half year old son Shannon in the chariot. The only rough bit was coming down from the summit where there had been a washout. This was the only section that we had to push the bike and the rest of the way could be easily ridden. The incline was an easy grade as it was originally used by a train.

Camping was great and we were treated to the wonderful call of a passing morepork.

It was an easy trip and you could do a day trip to the summit and back. The western side is the better track.

Chrissy and Shannon outside their tent.

Setting up camp.

There are lots of cool tunnels so take torches to explore and make sure you check out all the neat interpretation signs along the way as there is heaps of historic stuff to look at.

There were quite a few people out there enjoying it, providing plenty of folk to chat with along the way.

Riding along the Rimutaka Rail Trail.

There is lots to explore along the way

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Trip to Beebys Hut

Department of Conservation —  20/05/2013

Nine year old Emma Keeler writes about the adventures her family had during their overnight stay at Beebys Hut.

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Doubtful Sound on the Southern Winds

Department of Conservation —  16/05/2013

By Kendall DeLyser, Ranger – Visitor Information, Te Anau.

Last week the team at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre took a trip to Doubtful Sound on the DOC vessel known as Southern Winds. What a wonderful experience!

A view of Doubtful Sound from up high.

The magical Doubtful Sound

A day out on Doubtful Sound is magic, no doubt about it. In sun, the massive landscape is breathtaking and the ocean puts on its best turquoise colour.  In rain, the hills take on a mysterious feel and countless waterfalls braid their way down the rocky cliffs.

Some of the Visitor Information team having a coffee on the boat.

Coffee break

For many of us the trip marked only the first or second journey to Doubtful Sound, despite living in Te Anau for many years.

southern-winds

The DOC vessel Southern Winds

That day, fresh snow blanketed the surrounding peaks, and the bright sun cut through the chill of the winter wind. Dolphins played in the wake of our boat.

A dolphin playing in the wake of the boat in Doubtful Sound.

A dolphin played in the wake of our boat

We identified the special islands and pest-free areas along the way, which helped us better appreciate the monumental projects that our DOC colleagues and conservation partners have undertaken there.

Some of the islands and special places in Doubtful Sound.

There were special islands and pest-free areas along the way

I think we all returned home that day with a better sense of Fiordland, and a different appreciation for the work DOC does to maintain the beauty of the place as we know it.

The Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre team above Doubtful Sound.

The Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre team

Start planning your own Fiordland experience: Visit the DOC website for more iconic Fiordland places to visit.

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Biking the Queen Charlotte Track

Department of Conservation —  09/05/2013

By Chrissy Wickes, Biodiversity Ranger, Te Anau

My partner, our child and I recently biked the Queen Charlotte Track.

Chrissy and her family by the DOC Queen Charlotte Track sign.

Setting out on the Queen Charlotte Track

It was a challenging but fun adventure with our two and a half year old son Shannon. It was obvious that Shannon enjoyed the camping experience and being in the bush.

Chrissy's son Shannon in his chariot.

Shannon in his chariot

The Queen Charlotte track was good enough for Shannon’s chariot to be attached to our bikes and we only had to push the chariot for around one tenth of the track. The rest of the track is ridable if you are fit, which luckily my partner is and he was even able to pull the chariot up some small sharp steep hills that I had to walk.

Chrissy's partner and son biking along the track.

Along the track

We took it pretty slow along the track to make it more comfy over the more rough terrain. Some sections were gorgeous and smooth, others were rocky and a bit rooty.

Chrissy and her son on the Queen Charlotte Track.

A spot of dancing?

We chose to take the road from Cowshed Bay to Mistletoe turnoff just to avoid a big hill that we would have most likely just pushed up rather than ride. This was a great decision!

Shannon being pushed along the track on the bike.

Give me a push

We got all our gear water taxied to our next camp spot which was so great. We met some lovely people on the way. The tops were gorgeous with some stunning views of the sounds.

Stunning views of the Marlborough Sounds.

Stunning views

I would recommend this adventure only in really good weather which we were lucky to have. The clay surface of this track would mean that a bit of rain could make it quite yucky!

A view along the Queen Charlotte Track.

How about that view?

Experience the Queen Charlotte Track

In the heart of the Marlborough Sounds, the Queen Charlotte Track stretches 71 km.The track is suitable for both walkers and mountain bike riders, taking 3-5 days to complete walking, or 2-3 days for mountain bikers. You can find more information on the DOC website.

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Great Barrier Island Walking Festival – ‘A real eye-opener’

Department of Conservation —  01/05/2013

By Rebecca (Becs) Gibson, DOC Community Relations Ranger, Great Barrier Island

Walking festivals are becoming increasingly popular, so it was no surprise that the recent inaugural Great Barrier Island Walking Festival was a great success.

The walking group heading to Whangapoua beach.

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to the beach we go. Wild and windy Whangapoua

As this was our first walking festival, and due to our remoteness, we decided to start small and limit numbers. Despite this, people came from all over: New Caledonia, Australia, Te Wai Pounamu and, of course, Raetihi 🙂

Eight walks were offered over the three day weekend, ranging from full day tramps to shorter learning expeditions.

Walkers enjoy the view from Hirakimata Mt Hobson.

Walkers enjoy the view from Hirakimata Mt Hobson on the Over the Top walk

Hosts were allocated for each walk, and accompanying the groups were subject experts and ambassadors, including local iwi representatives, Auckland Council and DOC staff, café owners, fire fighters, ecology professors and historians, who all volunteered their time to give the visiting walkers an experience ‘one step beyond’.

A banded rail.

Unique wildlife encountered, banded rail

Aotea Great Barrier Island is an oasis for travellers; a replenishing place and a site that reflects human history as old as the name Aotearoa itself.

Walking group looks at rata species in Windy Canyon.

Subject expert, Simon Cook, describes the unique rata species in
Windy Canyon

One walker said that the Great Barrier Island Walking Festival ‘has been a real eye-opener’ and that was on day one – we were just getting started!

The richness of the experience, the wonderful scenery and unique wildlife had many expressing they would be coming back for more.

The view from the top of Great Barrier Island.

Great Barrier Island walks – ‘one step beyond’

Great Barrier Island Walking Festival

The Great Barrier Island Walking Festival was funded by Auckland Council’s Local Board with DOC assistance.

The Great Barrier Island Walking Festival is a three-day walking experience that will leave you wanting to come back for more. Walk through spectacular scenery, learn about the local mining and whaling history, walk with subject experts and take away wonderful memories. For more information visit the Great Barrier Walking Festival website.

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