Wilderness October 2025

HANDS UP if you’ve ever used public transport to go tramping in New Zealand. I did take the train to National Park once, but that was on a school trip and I would not have considered it an option otherwise. This is New Zealand: most of us go by car. I got to thinking about this for two reasons this month. First, in the story ‘Trains, buses and automobiles’ (p54) we learn that, as recently as the 1970s, it was common practice to use public transport - trains, in particular - to access the outdoors. It was cheap, reliable and got you where you wanted to go. It’s still like that in the UK, where public transport is more deeply embedded into everyday life. I’ve hopped on trains and buses…

BACKCOUNTRY HUTS AND BOOKINGS Are backcountry huts ‘shelters from the storm’ or hotels? With the recent addition of Kirtle Burn and Anti-Crow huts to the booking system without public consultation, backcountry users may be questioning whether DOC understands the purpose of backcountry huts. The only huts which ought to be added to the booking system are those that are either used only for overnighters, and not part of a multi-day route, or are purpose-built for that reason. Huts that involve river crossings, multi-day routes or alpine travel should not be bookable as that is where the true safety concerns are. If you have a booking you are more likely to push ahead despite dodgy conditions. Bookable huts are a vicious circle: the more huts are put on the booking system,…

Get your photo published here to receive a meal from Real Meals worth $18. Last Weekend submission criteria can be found at wildernessmag.co.nz. LEARN MORE ABOUT REAL MEALS AT www.realmeals.co.nz.…

Around 70 DOC huts across the country must be booked in advance. Kirtle Burn Hut in the Pisa Conservation Area is one of the latest to join the booking system. DOC director of heritage and visitors Catherine Wilson said the decision to add the seven-bed hut to the system was made with safety in mind. The small hut has become increasingly popular, resulting in instances of overcrowding. “We have had situations where people arrived late in the day in winter only to find the hut fully occupied, forcing them to return to the car park in the dark after a long day of skiing,” Wilson said. “This raised significant safety concerns that we needed to address.” DOC considers several factors when deciding whether to add a hut to the booking…

It is hoped that a price increase for overseas walkers on Te Araroa this season will inject more funds into the trail’s development and repairs. “We’re thinking about the future of the trail, and the trail’s needs,” Te Araroa Trust executive director Matt Claridge said. “We’ve got a huge difference between what’s needed to service and develop the trail and what our reality has been.” For those international hikers doing the full journey or just the South Island leg, the cost of the TA Pass is now $1350; for North Island or section walks it is $605. The international Te Araroa Pass includes registration and membership of the TA Trust, the Trail Pass (which provides access to accommodation on public conservation land) and a contribution towards the ongoing development of…

A new weather service will message users with up-to-the-minute forecasts from anywhere in the country. The service works on devices connected to the One NZ satellite network. All you have to do is enter your phone number into the website, remoteweather.org. The service sends you a text which you reply to with your WSG84 coordinates, gleaned from your favourite mapping app. Wait a minute, and your free weather report will arrive. The website is the brainchild of Fletcher Walmsley, who wants to help trampers stay safe in the backcountry. “As I’m sure most Kiwis know, New Zealand’s weather changes fast and is unpredictable. This has caught me out a few times,” he said.…