19-463: The New Zealand Great Walks are a set of popular tramping tracks developed and maintained by the Department of Conservation . They are New Zealand's premier tracks , through areas of some of the best scenery in the country, ranging from coastlines with beaches to dense rain forests and alpine terrain. The tracks are maintained to a high standard, making it easier for visitors to explore some of
38-710: A Great Walk track or 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) of the Milford Track except at designated campsites. It is not possible to access the Milford Track without having booked the track accommodation, as both ends of the track require boat transport to get there. Sections of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track are particularly popular for day walks without overnight accommodation, as even the middle sections are serviced by water taxis. North Island South Island Stewart Island / Rakiura In 2018,
57-563: A means of managing and conserving the most popular tracks which were increasingly being damaged by unrestricted tourism. Seven of the walks are covered by Google Street View from November 2015. The backcountry huts are conveniently located, comfortable, well-equipped, and high capacity. Both the huts and tracks on the Great Walks are of a higher standard than other tramping tracks in the country. These tracks are very popular with overseas visitors, partly due to their heavy promotion by
76-446: A recreational activity involving walking over rough country. Trampers often carry a backpack and wet-weather gear, and may also carry equipment for cooking and sleeping. Alpine climbing has been a recreational activity from the early days of European settlement, and possibly earlier. From the 1950s tracks, huts and bridges were built in the forested areas of New Zealand to support hunters culling introduced deer species which had become
95-578: A threat to the biodiversity of New Zealand . As tramping became popular these facilities were increasingly used by trampers. In later years tramping has become popular for both local and foreign tourists. Tramping clubs were formed in many towns, cities and universities with regular trips being organised. The clubs sometimes own a bus to transport club members to the tracks. A network of tramping tracks has been developed throughout New Zealand of varying lengths and difficulties. A small number of tramping tracks cross private land either in part or in full. All of
114-434: Is no charge required for walking access to the Great Walks, however, charges apply for overnight accommodation at the huts or campsites. To conserve the tracks, it is illegal to camp within 500 metres (1,600 ft) of a Great Walk track or 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) of the Milford Track except at designated campsites. It is not possible to access the Milford Track without having booked the track accommodation, as both ends of
133-489: The Canterbury Mountaineering Club and they rely on fees from these huts to help pay the cost of maintenance. Amongst experienced trampers there is a strong culture of looking after huts. The phrase "hut etiquette" encompasses looking after any hut that is used and showing consideration for other hut users. Most huts on the conservation estate are open to the public and the state of a hut depends on
152-493: The Department of Conservation and tourism operators. All of the Great Walks have booking systems to manage visitor pressure. Guided walks are available through private operators along many of the walks. There is no charge required for walking access to the Great Walks, however, charges apply for overnight accommodation at the huts or campsites. To conserve the tracks, it is illegal to camp within 500 metres (1,600 ft) of
171-676: The Whanganui Journey on river being 145 kilometres (90 mi) long over 5 days. Only the Tongariro Northern Circuit and the Kepler Track are loop walks, all other Great Walks require transport to return to the starting point. The Great Walks network was established by the Department of Conservation in 1992. The network was established both as a way to advertise hiking in New Zealand, but also as
190-405: The best scenery in the country, ranging from coastlines with beaches to dense rain forests and alpine terrain. The tracks are maintained to a high standard, making it easier for visitors to explore some of the most scenic parts of New Zealand's backcountry . The walks range from 32 kilometres (20 mi) length to 82 kilometres (51 mi) in length and take between 3 and 6 days to complete, with
209-425: The care by those who use it. This environmental care code promoted by the Department of Conservation contains a 10-point checklist of things that can be done in the outdoors to help minimise impact: Great Walks The New Zealand Great Walks are a set of popular tramping tracks developed and maintained by the Department of Conservation . They are New Zealand's premier tracks , through areas of some of
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#1732786938311228-413: The huts and tracks on the Great Walks are of a higher standard than other tramping tracks in the country. These tracks are very popular with overseas visitors, partly due to their heavy promotion by the Department of Conservation and tourism operators. All of the Great Walks have booking systems to manage visitor pressure. Guided walks are available through private operators along many of the walks. There
247-459: The maintenance of these huts. Some areas have privately owned huts on public land used for commercial tourism operations. The majority of the huts were built by the now defunct New Zealand Forest Service for deer culling operations. Other huts were built by alpine clubs, schools, and ski clubs. Some of the buildings on public land that are readily accessible by vehicle, are generally " baches " or "cribs" built by private individuals when control of
266-414: The major tramping tracks are on public land that is administered by the Department of Conservation . Among the best-known tracks are the ten Great Walks and the ultra-long-distance Te Araroa . There is a network of more than 950 backcountry huts throughout New Zealand operated by the Department of Conservation (DOC) on public land. DOC operates a program of bookings, tickets, and passes to help fund
285-409: The most scenic parts of New Zealand's backcountry . The walks range from 32 kilometres (20 mi) length to 82 kilometres (51 mi) in length and take between 3 and 6 days to complete, with the Whanganui Journey on river being 145 kilometres (90 mi) long over 5 days. Only the Tongariro Northern Circuit and the Kepler Track are loop walks, all other Great Walks require transport to return to
304-496: The starting point. The Great Walks network was established by the Department of Conservation in 1992. The network was established both as a way to advertise hiking in New Zealand, but also as a means of managing and conserving the most popular tracks which were increasingly being damaged by unrestricted tourism. Seven of the walks are covered by Google Street View from November 2015. The backcountry huts are conveniently located, comfortable, well-equipped, and high capacity. Both
323-419: The track require boat transport to get there. Sections of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track are particularly popular for day walks without overnight accommodation, as even the middle sections are serviced by water taxis. North Island South Island Stewart Island / Rakiura In 2018, the Department of Conservation investigated the addition of an eleventh Great Walk with the finalists being: In July 2019, it
342-503: The use of public land was less stringent. These baches are not made available to the public. Some public huts are associated with a local club and volunteers from clubs will perform much of the maintenance on these huts. In the Tararua Forest Park north of Wellington huts are managed in a partnership between DOC and various lower North Island clubs. In the eastern Southern Alps near Christchurch some huts are managed solely by
361-542: Was decided that the 61-km Hump Ridge Track will become the 11th Great Walk. There will be an upgrade to track and hut facilities, costing approx NZ$ 5m. The goal is to have this track join the Great Walks network in 2023. Tramping in New Zealand Tramping , known elsewhere as backpacking , rambling , hill walking or bushwalking, is a popular activity in New Zealand . Tramping is defined as
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