This 7km family-friendly loop is tucked beneath the imposing pinnacle of Mt Crichton, just minutes from Queenstown.

The journey will have you finding hidden waterfalls, exploring a historic hut and enjoying the shade of native beech trees.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? The new four-bunk Brass Monkey Hut was a friend's dying wish to build a hut in a high lofty place.

The search is on for the best outdoor photographers in Aotearoa New Zealand. Now’s the time to submit the top images from your adventures. You have until May 3, 2026 to enter.

This year’s generous prize pool has over $3500 worth of camera gear from Panasonic Lumix.

Hypothermia is a leading cause of death in the outdoors, and wearing cotton clothing may increase your chances of succumbing to it.

Heather Grady from Outdoor Training New Zealand breaks down what makes cotton so rotten for tramping.

See our list of upcoming tramping events and activities across the motu. Have an event you want to feature? Email us the details!

1 March - 30 April: MD Outdoors Adventure Film Festival Submissions Open

Location: Online

Are you an aspiring adventure filmmaker or just love capturing your adventures? MD Outdoors want to watch your stories and follow your journey in the outdoors!

Put together a short (up to 20-minute) film featuring an outdoor pursuit or adventure - whatever that means to you. The shortlisted films will be showcased in July 2026, with screenings in Nelson and beyond in New Zealand. More info.

20 March - 30 April: Waiheke Walking Festival

Location: Waikehe Island

This event runs over two months, featuring a range of community walks and activities you can sign up to, exploring the myriad of tracks weaved across the island, including hikes over private land not usually accessible to the public. More info.

22 April: Community Climate Action Network Hui

Location: Grey Lynn Community Centre, Auckland, 12-1pm

‘Your stories, our message’ focuses on gathering insights from community-led climate action groups around Tāmaki Makaurau. More info.

24-27 April: Global Bio Blitz

Location: Your backyard

Mark your calendars for a global four-day BioBlitz that encourages people to find and document wildlife in their local area. Participants can record any wild plant, animal, fungi, or other species they encounter. More info.

1-30 April: East Auckland Walkfest

Location: East Auckland

A curated celebration of the region’s most scenic and surprising walking trails. From coastal strolls to countryside rambles, this event offers something for everyone, no matter your pace or passion. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a family with young children, or someone who simply loves a leisurely stroll, WalkFest has options to suit all fitness levels and interests. More info.

25 April: Our Native Birds workshop with Dean Bagent-Mercer

Location: Conservation Fair, Kingston House, Hone Heke Road Kerikeri

Dean, one of the great characters of Northland conservation, will talk about the “forest food calendar” for native birds, plus he'll give a run-down of common, coming and migratory birds. More info.

2 May: Book launch - Trailblazers - A History of the Nelson Tramping Club (1934 - 2026)

Location: Elma Turner Library, Nelson

This is the story of a bunch of Nelsonians exploring their backyard, and in the process, finding joy, adventure and camaraderie. Among the day-walks and epic climbs, are tales of aircraft crashes, missing trampers, romances, inter-club rivalry, as well as the building and maintenance of a dozen backcountry huts. Ninety-two years later, these trampers are still marking tracks and restoring huts. Written and presented by Ray Salisbury. More info.

2-3 May: Outdoor Training NZ Survival Confidence

Location: Waitakere Ranges Regional Park

This two-day practical course is designed to provide participants with basic bushcraft survival skills (what would be required if you become lost in the New Zealand bush), including survival priorities and building a bivvy. More info.

6-7 May: Overnight Banks Peninsula Walking Festival

Location: Canterbury

This two-day, guided overnight walk follows a lesser-known route to Rod Donald Hut. Led by Richard Suggate - former Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust co-chair- and supported by Sara Templeton, the walk will focus on vision sharing, stories of place, and the work happening across Banks Peninsula. More info.

7 May: Outdoor Training New Zealand Auckland Branch meeting

Location: Point Chevalier Tennis Club, Auckland

The Auckland branch of OTNZ has an active committee, a manageable course schedule, and holds two monthly evening meetings to introduce new topics of interest and engage with the wider membership. More info.

12 May: DOC Great Walk Bookings open

Location: Online from 9:30 am and 12 pm

Dust off the tramping boots and warm up those clicking fingers - bookings for DOC’s Great Walks, huts and campsites for the 2026/27 season open from 12 May. More info.

14-16 May: OTNZ Basic Navigation and Compass Skills

Location: Wenderholm Regional Park

This course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to be able to navigate using a Topo50 map and ground features on well-marked tracks in areas typically open to the general public. More info.

Answer A - Ngaio

Myoporum laetum is a small NZ endemic tree commonly known as ngaio or mousehole tree. It can be found in coastal and lowland forests, and is known for its fast growth and tolerance to salt spray. It has distinctive white flowers with small purple spots.

Quiz provided by Pam Hutton/PuzzleBeetle.

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