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Paekākāriki Escarpment Track Guide: Stairs, Direction & Map (2026)
Paekākāriki Escarpment Track – a hiker’s point of view of the “Stairway to Heaven”. The hiker’s point of view of a 9.5km hike along the Escarpment Track from Pukerua Bay to Paekākāriki taking in wonderful coastal views and a golden sunset. Ever wondered what it feels like to be standing on New Zealand’s “Stairway to…
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Protecting Whio | The Fight for Survival in the Ruahine Range
Protecting Whio | The Fight for Survival in the Ruahine Range A 3-day hike in the Ruahine Range rebaiting predator traps protecting the threatened whio (Blue Duck). The story describes the tireless efforts of dedicated conservationists to protect the birds, and includes a route guide and photos. If you want to save a species, it’s a…
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The Wellington Fault: Why the Tararua Range is one of New Zealand’s Biggest Jigsaw Puzzles
Some faults in the Tararuas The Tararua Range is famous for its ‘faults’—usually the relentless rain or the 80-day-a-year sunshine quota. But look deeper at the topography, and you’ll find the real faults: the tectonic scars that have literally torn the landscape apart. The Wellington Fault, a geological giant, snakes its way from the South…
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The Hidden Lake of Tararua: A Day Trip to Arcus Dam
The Hidden Lake of Tararua: A Day Trip to Arcus Dam An easy hike to a lake created by the Arcus Dam followed by some more difficult off-track walking connecting to tracks at Otaki Forks, including a route map. While the Tararua Forest Park is famous for its ridge-top tarns including one on the iconic…
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Top Gorge Hut – Ruahine Range
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Hiking Mt Tongariro: A climb of the South Ridge in Tongariro NP
Hiking Mt Tongariro: A Guide to the South Ridge in Tongariro National Park A loop day hike via the South Ridge to the summit of Mt Tongariro from the WTMC Lodge in the Tongariro National Park including a map of the route. While the Tongariro Alpine Crossing offers a world-famous traverse, the South Ridge route provides a…
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Pukekaikiore Ascent: A Guide to One of Tongariro National Park’s Least-Visited Peaks
Pukekaikiore Ascent: A Guide to One of Tongariro National Park’s Least-Visited Peaks A guide for a hike from the WTMC Ruapehu Lodge to the summit of Pukekaikiore the fourth highest volcanic peak in the World Dual Heritage Tongariro National Park Are you looking to escape the crowds of the Alpine Crossing? Pukekaikiore offers a sense of…
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Holdsworth Day Walks: Gentle Annie, Pinnacle, and Summit Guide
Holdsworth daywalks – Gentle Annie Saddle, Pinnacle, and the summit. Three hikes in the Holdsworth area of the Tararua Range – Gentle Annie Saddle, Pinnacle, and the summit of Mt Holdsworth – including route guides, photos and a video. From the fragrant scent of native orchids to the rugged challenge of a Tararua bush bash,…
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Mt Ruapehu Glaciers: The Remarkable Story of the Unnamed Glacier
Mt Ruapehu Glaciers Guide: The Remarkable Story of the Unnamed Glacier The smallest glacier on Mt Ruapehu is the most unusual – it is possibly the only glacier in New Zealand not receding from global warming. While the world watches the retreat of alpine ice, a small but resilient survivor lies on the southern slopes…
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Mt Ruapehu and the solitary wilding pine 🌲
