View across Lake McKerrow to the Darran Mountains from Demon Trail Hut. Photo: Erin Hewetson
The Hollyford Valley was an important Ngāi Tahu settlement area between 1650 and the 1800s, providing access to pounamu and food resources in the forest, lakes and ocean.
Erin Hewetson (Ngāi Tahu) follows in the footsteps of her tīpuna and challenges herself on the Hollyford Track. She finds that even when fully prepared, being adaptable is a crucial skill for travel in the backcountry. And a change of plans offers insight into lessons we might not have seen otherwise.
This trip was made possible with the assistance of the Shaun Barnett Memorial Scholarship funded by Wilderness.
Missed Friday’s feature? DOC warns hut visitors to prepare for loud music from boaties, NZ woman runs 1000 ultramarathons in 1000 days, Gen Zers becoming fully fledged bird-watchers and more in last week’s The World Outdoors.
Inspired by today’s feature story? Apply for this year’s Shaun Barnett Memorial Scholarship
The Shaun Barnett Memorial Scholarship is a tribute to leading tramping author and photographer Shaun Barnett. Open to aspiring photojournalists of all ages, the annual scholarship offers up to $1000 to the successful applicant in support of their backcountry adventures and creative development.
The scholarship winner will be announced in the December 2026 issue of Wilderness.
This year’s applications close October 15th.
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New issue our today!
Our November 2026 issue is online now and winging its way to subscribers in the post.
What's in the latest mag?
🥾 The many faces of the Motatapu Track - Discover this stunning 47km stretch of trail.
👻 ‘Did you hear that?’ - 10 films to avoid before your next trip.
🏔️ Wild West Coast - Take a rugged, three-day tramp into the remote Tara Tama Range.
🎙️ New podcast episodes - Hike this beautiful and brutal trail and the nightmare of being lost in the wild.
⌚️ Wild Gear - Is a smartwatch a useful hiking accessory?
Plus dozens more stories!
Current Issue - Nov 2026
Discover this stunning 47km stretch of TA, 10 films to avoid before your next trip, a rugged, three-day tramp into the remote Tara Tama Range, the nightmare of being lost, the pros and cons of a smartwatch and dozens more stories in our latest issue.
Photo of the week 📸
This week’s photo comes from Erin Hamer. The frozen tussock made tramping to Armstrong Saddle in the Ruahine Forest Park a fun adventure.
This photo was submitted as part of our monthly Last Weekend feature. Each month we publish reader submitted photos in the mag and online. If your photo is published you’ll received a Real Meals meal worth $18!
Email [email protected] with your submissions.
Have a photo you want to share with Wilderness Daily readers? Flick us an email with the photo and a few words about it.
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