Introduction To Tramping In New Zealand

Tramping is the word used in New Zealand for walking on tracks and trails, much the same as hiking or trekking. Tramping is a very popular pastime for New Zealanders, one of the reasons for this is that almost everyone lives within an hours drive of a good tramping track. There is good tramping all over New Zealand.

The Queenstown area in particular has a lot of awesome tramping tracks. One of the best is the Rees-Dart track.

If you're really keen you could try tramping the length of New Zealand. It's still a bit of a work in progress but it is possible to walk the length of New Zealand staying on tracks most of the time. This track is called Te Araroa - The Long Pathway. The route of Te Araroa takes in a huge variety of terrain from beach walking to alpine passes.

Many visitors to New Zealand are a bit suprised at the roughness of some of the tracks. Most of the really popular walks have well maintained tracks but the other tracks are a lot more rugged, while taking a little more effort and care it is well worth it as you really feel like you're on a mission in the wilderness rather than strolling down a nicely constructed path. Because New Zealand has such a low population and a large number of tramping tracks it is almost impossible to maintain them all to a high standard.

The hut system in New Zealand is absolutely brilliant. Huts cost $5 to $10 per night or about $90 for a season pass. The great walks have more modern huts and cost a bit more. The season pass allows you to stay in any of the Department of Conservation huts in New Zealand, the only exception is the great walks were you have to pay an additional fee. While most of the hut's a very simple they make a brilliantly cosy alternative to a tent when the weather turns bad. They generally have a fire place inside so you can keep yourself nice and warm. The huts also provide a good way to meet other trampers as you sit around the table and discuss the day.