New Trip Report - Kepler Track
Monday 24 October 2022 
Chris' Blog
Protecting our place
Posted: Wednesday 1 May 2013 by Chris
Tongariro Alpine Crossing to reopen
Posted: Wednesday 1 May 2013 by Chris
Great Walks - Lake Waikaremoana Intro Video
Posted: Tuesday 5 February 2013 by Chris
Posted: Wednesday 1 May 2013 by Chris
Kiwis are, without a doubt, an outdoor species. With a landscape like ours, who wouldn’t be? Whether it’s tramping, fishing, hunting or driving stock across the high country, we’ll take any excuse to get outside. In fact, nearly half of us enjoy Department of Conservation protected land every year.
From back country huts way off the beaten track, to lodges located along well worn walkways, the Department of Conservation’s huts have long provided essential shelter for Kiwi outdoor enthusiasts and international tourists.
The Department’s 973 recreation huts and lodges, which support more than 14,000 km of track, are well used by New Zealanders. According to the 2012 DOC Annual Report, DOC estimates that two thirds of the 300,000 bed stays per year at the DOC huts and lodges are by New Zealanders.
However, these huts are often exposed to New Zealand’s harshest and most extreme weather conditions and are in need of protection themselves.
The Department of Conservation has announced a $1.5 million partnership with Dulux New Zealand to paint and protect public huts and lodges over the next three years.
It’s your place too, so you’re most welcome to lend a hand. You can choose the next hut to be painted, pick the colours or even pick up a brush and put a lick of paint on a deserving hut.
Further information on Protecting our place.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing to reopen
Posted: Wednesday 1 May 2013 by Chris
The Department of Conservation is pleased to announce the reopening of the northern section of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This will allow walkers to walk the full length of the track from Mangatepopo car-park to the Ketetahi car-park. This will take effect from Wednesday 8 May 2013.
Additional toilets have been put in at the Soda Springs and temporary repairs have been made to the Ketetahi Hut which will now act as a day shelter until it is replaced with a new day shelter in 2014.
Source: Department of Conservation
Great Walks - Lake Waikaremoana Intro Video
Posted: Tuesday 5 February 2013 by Chris
Intro video on Lake Waikaremoana.
View my tramping report on this track.
Further information on Great Walks.
