There is a world beyond some of our most successful walks. The Milford Track and Routeburn, and others, are all rightfully famous. They are also heavily regulated and offer a constant stream of organised 3-star and 4-star traffic. Some people like travelling in groups, meeting strangers, making friends. Others come to New Zealand to dscover the country and a part of themselves constantly oppressed by enforced socialization.
For those of us looking for wide open spaces and for wider, more open, personal space - take heart. There are many places here waiting for you, ready and willing to share their silence and to make no demands on your patience or politeness. No demands on your personal schedule.
Over the years we have been developing some favourite walks, initially on our own, and now more and more with operators who understand peoples need for space. These have not yet been found by the large wholesalers as they do not go to trade shows. They are missing the small gems. Intelligent people with high standards and beautiful, wonderful days which our clients love.
For once, we're not making it easy for everyone and blurting out a list of names and web addresses. We'll just describe a few of them:
- a coastal hike on 90-Mile Beach, just south of Cape Reinga, with a top grade chef and his frying pan. Or alone.
- a day in Northland's Kauri Forest with a charismatic and passionate Maori chief
- a clifftop, marshland, sand dune and beach hike on Auckland's West Coast, a lovely mysterious place where "The Piano" was filmed. Occasionally a local historian and author with a day job as the mayor will take our clients on this. Or go on your own.
- a mysterious, awesome walk with a lovely Maori lady through some large bush, just south of Taupo
- a day in the highlands just east of Taupo with a talented Maori chef, outdoorsman, search and rescue specialist and hunter. No tracks, except those of animals. This one's too remote to do on your own.
- a superb 1 day, 2 day or 4 day experience in Mount Aspiring National Park, just West of Wanaka, combining wilderness with helicopters and jetboats.
- another excellent experience, south of Te Anau, deep in Fiordland, guided for safety reasons again, in pristine, truly pristine wilderness.
15 Jul 09
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