What started out as a wet day went downhill in the afternoon. Yet again a case of non existant trail that left me stream bashing and pushing my way through heavy brush. Finally made it out to a real track (not te araroa) and down to waitomo many hours later than planned. A night at [...]

Monday 23rd November – 41 km – 7 hrs Finished off 90 Mile Beach on a very misty day – but meaning that it was just warm, rather than hot. Met up with Hazel at Waipapakauri and Ahipara where I was very happy to leave the beach. After Ahipara, a more relaxing road walk past [...]

Finally real mountain track, tough, muddy, but clear of brush. Amazing boardwalk section as well. Views from the top of mt pirongia of about 2 metres in the clouds. Met a group of hikers at the hut who all seemed fascinated by my gear. I’ll have to do a write up soon about what I [...]

Sunday 22nd November – 54.5 km Back to Te Paki Stream first thing, down the stream, and then out onto 90 Mile Beach for a long walk down to Hukatere (next public access point to the beach) – such a contrast from yesterday’s walk with all its super views and different terrain – today had [...]

Ngauruahoe

Saturday 21st November – Cape Reinga to Te Paki – 5.75 hours Hazel and I arrived at a deserted Cape Reinga at 8.00 am, so had the lighthouse there and the views to ourselves. Left around 8.30. A warm and cludy day, so great for walking down and up hills, along beaches, and over and [...]

45.5km of road walking with a nice bit of walking along the river thru Hamilton. Yet another stretch along busy sh1 with trucks roaring past. But the mountain tracks are nearing, and I’ve stocked up with food as it looks to be a fairly long time before resupply. That’s been one of the harder things [...]

Walking along the stopbank to the hunlty power station. I was thinking to make Hamilton today. But a nice Devonshire tea with Sarah in the morning slowed the day and I looked ahead and realized that I had to stop by 630 or face 15k of roadwalking into the evening. Beautiful track this afternoon. Nice [...]

A fair bit of road walking followed by walking down 4 lane SH1, followed by field after field of young and curious bulls. However the day ended with a nice pub meal and Sarah came down and we had a nice night at a hostel. Check out where Roland was when he wrote this. More [...]

Mostly nice track with a bit of road walking mixed in. I decided to skip part of the offical walk and do the bypass instead as the though of 6 km of bush-bashing unmade track didn’t appeal. Camped just off the road with the sounds of highway in the distance . See where Roland wrote [...]

The Wellington branch of the Te Araroa Trust have forged a path through the Tararua Ranges. Read their comments as reported by the Kapiti Independant News and those of David Somerset – have you tramped in this area? I so what are your thoughts? Suitable hike or a dumb idea

Following our mate Rolands journey to the end of the country! Mostly horrible track through industrial auckland. A nice respite through the botanical gardens couldn’t make up for the boring and smelly day. If I were to do this part over I would have walked down the east coast instead. Finished the day at a [...]

Met up with Richard (brother-in-law) and walked from his house just off the trail with Sarah and him to the next family location in Mangere Bridge. And then more family walking group with Richard and my nephew Sam down to the airport.

Thoughts on this 1/2 day walk – Pureora Mountain – (between Taupo and Te Kuiti). I have never hiked in this area, but hear it is great. Love your comments – enlighten us all please!

With our intrepid “guide” Roland A day of walking along the coast. A bit banged up when I ran into a submerged log while crossing the chest deep Orikino river. Great to see the Auckland skytower in the distance. Finished up in the centre of Auckland just after climbing the volcanic cone of Mt Eden. See where [...]

With our “guide” Roland Mixed track and roadwalking with the final destination of a pub and cold beer. Check out the historic area of Puhoi and its pub and its location on the map

Picked up this article from The Marlborough Express last week. But are trhe views of 8 self proclaimed “Fat Bastards” and a couple of Aussies really representative of all Trampers? What is your view?

The Southland Times report the official opening of the Clutha River Track – includes the new Pawsons Crossing Bridge, which spans the Cardrona River near the beginning of the track. Nice story and great work!