Photo: Ray Salisbury
An unpretentious hill behind Havelock hosts a labyrinth of tramping and biking trails for a range of abilities.
The track network is on council land and is primarily maintained by local volunteers Camilla and John, whose hand-painted maps and signs add a homely touch to the experience. From the top, an unrivalled view to Havelock below and out to the far reaches of Te Hoiere Pelorus Sound.
Missed yesterday’s feature? Meet NZ’s mountaineering legend - Bill McLeod. Listen to and read the story here.
Kiwi Conservation Club - Hakuturi Toa
Protect our conservation land
The Government wants to change the law around public conservation land and how the Department of Conservation (DOC) works. This means the land and species we love could face even greater risk from harmful activities.
This school holidays, you can help your kids learn about the importance of conversation land with the attached poster created by Forest & Bird, and maybe they can even share a story about the conservation land they love.
Quiz
You are at Tutuwai Hut and wish to take the track to Pt646 (via Mt Reeves Track). The start of this track is heading in which direction?
A - Magnetic East
B - Grid East
C - True East
D - Magnetic West
E - Grid West
Scroll to the bottom of this email for the answer…
Featured Book
Bill McLeod: Mountaineering Legend
Drawn from the letters he wrote to fellow climbers, this book traces Bill’s remarkable journey from self-taught novice to tackling the hardest ascents in Aotearoa.
Subscribers get a 10% discount.
SKILLS CHECK: Planning and preparing for a long hike
Walking Ninety Mile Bech is difficult and many walkers end the section with blisters. Photo: Katrina Megget
Many people embark on Te Araroa, the 3000km trip from Cape Rēinga to Bluff, only to abandon their mission after a short time. Why is this?
Heather Grady from Outdoor Training New Zealand gives us her tips on how to successfully plan for the long haul.
Current Issue - July/August 2026
Shine a light on Cape Brett - Northland’s best weekend walk, discover winter magic in the high country, embark on a loop of Rakiura’s untamed south-west, six mapped trip reports, gear guides and dozens more articles!
Tramping calendar
See our list of upcoming tramping events and activities across the motu. If you have an event you want to feature, email the details!
17-18 July: MD Outdoors Nelson Film Festival
Location: Nelson
The film festival will be filled with door prizes, giveaways, competitions and epic films to inspire you and your family. Saturday night screening includes the awards night to announce the winners of this year's competition!
21 July: State of the Snowpack #1
Location: Further Faster, Christchurch, 6:30-8:30
State of the Snowpack Aotearoa is several evenings over winter, of honest, practical avalanche intelligence from people who spend their winters digging pits, reading terrain and keeping others safe. Local professionals will break down what's happening in the Craigieburns, Arthur's Pass and surrounding Canterbury ranges — not in textbook terms, but in the kind of plain language that helps you make better decisions when you're standing at the top of a slope. More info.
23 July: International Packraft Film Festival
Location: The Tannery, Christchurch 7pm
The International Packraft Film Festival celebrates the stories that grow from this freedom of movement. Through films from across the globe, IPFF highlights the creativity, curiosity, and passion behind packrafting, and the many ways people use packrafts to connect with wild places and with each other. More info.
The Great Outdoors Pub Quiz
Location: MD Outdoors
Back by popular demand for its second year with our amazing quiz master Emma. Grab your mates and test your wilderness wisdom at The Great Outdoors Pub Quiz! Theme attire encouraged - flannel, fleece or full tramping kit! More info.
3 Sept: 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.
10-12 Sep: 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 Topo-50 map and ground features on well-marked tracks in areas typically open to the general public. More info.
Quiz
Answer B - Grid East
The top of the map is Grid North. The blue grid lines going up and down the map align with Grid North-South. The blue grid lines going across the map align with Grid West-East.
Quiz provided by Heather Grady from Outdoor Training New Zealand.
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