⛰️#44 - And We're Back With Lots Of Bits & Pieces

After a few months overseas we’re back with the 44th NZ Hiking Newsletter, sent every Friday. We are so back.

This edition will be going out to 542 people. That’s cool, but just a wee fraction of the new NZ population of 695 billion DOC says we have.

If you know someone who might be interested in reading this dribble, send them this link: https://nzhikingnewsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Chur.

Anyway, for those who are newly subscribed, welcome. And for those who are regular readers from before going on hiatus, welcome back. Hopefully you had some good adventures over the last few months (I’ll detail some of mine at the end).

Send me some photos on Whatsapp (+64 20 4170 2764 or this link).

As usual, I'll let you know what’s going on in the hiking scene in New Zealand, along with other related bits and pieces I find interesting. I’ll mention a few of the highlights from the trails I saw at the bottom of the newsletter.

Alright, let’s get into it.

🌈Marlborough’s Rainbow Road Open For Labour Weekend

If you’re going to be around the upper South Island over Labour Weekend, Rainbow Station said they’ll open (announcement) the privately owned Rainbow Road from 7 am on October 24th to 7 pm on October 27th. The stunning drive is a toll road ($60 for cars, hikers free) connecting St Arnaud and Hanmer Springs through Molesworth Recreation Reserve. Why drive it? You get access to some hikes and peaks you can only access from the road.

Check out the website for more details and the Molesworth Recreation Reserve brochure for things to do.

🛖 Some Hut Updates

I certainly haven’t kept up with all the updates on the huts over the last few months, but a few are:

• A new hut, Pouākai Hut on Mount Taranaki opened in mid-August. The new 34 bunk gives the spot a much larger capacity for the well hiked area. It’s built to withstand winds of up to 300km/h 😮 Details here, and a nifty video here.

• Trains Hut near Whanganui National Park has had a refresh thanks to locals and the BCT. Details here.

• The Tongariro Circuit Great Walk is not an official great walk this summer due to work being done on the Oturere Hut. You can still walk the track, and you can get cheaper rates to stay at huts on the trail. Details here.

• Work was done to get historic site Rooney’s Hut (West Coast) stabilised again, while you can’t stay there, you can at the nearby Big River Hut. Details here.

🥾 Reefton (West Coast) Gets 22km of New Trails

Operations at the Globe Progress mine site near Reefton finished up in 2016, and the company operating OceanaGold had to remediate the site as part of the agreement they made with DOC to access the site. Now the remediation efforts have led to 22km of trails open to the public to see the sites (as of September). The longest trail is the Globe Hill Track, 11km each way. If you check out these trails, definitely let me know your thoughts. More details here.

🍀NZ’s Next Top Model Cadet

DOC has just announced that they’re starting at what I can gather is an internship program, where up to 10 people will get the opportunity to work under a cadetship program each year. The programme is a paid 30-month contract and you’ll come away with all sorts of skills to launch into a long conservation career. Cadets will be based in Renwick (Marlborough), but will go around the country to learn different aspects of what DOC is involved in.

This seems pretty cool…and anyone can apply, not just young’uns. It doesn’t fit me right now, but this is a great gateway into the industry while earning some cash…they didn’t say how much you’ll get paid…details here.

🥚Back Country Cuisine Product Recall

If you’ve got some Back Country Cuisine meals lying around, there was a recall (undeclared egg allergen) for some Mushroom Bolognaise and Spaghetti Bolognaise pouches. I don’t imagine it’ll affect anyone here…but you never know…full details here.

🌉 New 42 Metre Bridge Over Routeburn River

On my todo list for the summer (well it has been the last two summers too…), is Mount Aspiring National Park’s 5 Passes Route. And I’ve got one less excuse for putting it off as a new 42 metre suspension bridge is open over the Routeburn River.

💸 AllTrails Gives TA Money

The recipients of the 2025 AllTrails Stewards Fund were recently announced. Of the hundreds of submissions, the Te Araroa was one of the 24 projects that'll receive funding (one of only two non-US projects). The Te Araroa Trust is using the funding (up to US$10,000) towards building the 120 metre Whangaehu River Bridge Construction, which will eliminate an annoying and sketchy road 32km walking section near Whanganui.

🏞️ Saving The Waitaha River

The video above goes into the details around the very real threat to Waitaha River. The river is on DOC Stewardship Land (short explainer here) but is under threat due to a Fast Track Bill around a hydro-electric scheme. The 20-minute video is well worth a watch in some classic kiwi backcountry that Forest & Bird says its important enough land to be classified as a National Park. Get out onto the Waitaha River this summer, the more people exploring up there the better…the hot pools look the goods.

🏞️ Milford Track Opening Delayed

There will be plenty of people gutted to hear the Milford Track is delaying the opening from October 28th to November 11th. For those booked on the track before Nov 12th, bookings will be cancelled and refunded. Hopefully all systems are go, and the avalanche damage has been sorted by November 12th. Alternatives for the Milford Track that spring to mind for me are the Hump Ridge, Hollyford and Greenstone Caples. All great tracks in their own right.

😹 Hiking Funny

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🎧 Podcast Recommendation

If you’re looking for a podcast episode to add to your queue, Sam the Trap Man was on Hiker Trash Radio. It’s a podcast I’ve listened to every now and then over the years. It’s a bit of a laugh at times (and awkward?), but a solid listen. You can find the episode on your favourite podcast player (there are two parts).

🆓 Free Stickers

If free stickers on your water bottle are a winner for you. Pop into Macpac, Bivoauc, Hunting & Fishing, or DOC (there’ are a few others) and you can grab a river safety-related sticker.

🎁 A Couple Of Competitions To Enter

Please tag me on Instagram in any relevant competitions you see @heyitsjub or send em via WhatsApp

• Bivaouc Water Safety Quiz ($500 voucher up for grabs) - enter here (closes October 31st)

• Merch Design Competition (Taranaki residents only) - details here (closes October 31st)

🧔‍♂️ What I've Been Up To...

I spent the last 3.5ish months travelling in a somewhat random collection of spots (not exactly the plan, just the way it ended up). China, Japan, USA, Georgia, Armenia, Indonesia, and Australia.

Georgia was where I spent the most time, and there are so many trails across the country. 10 days in Mestia was the highlight…it’s a small mountain town with easy access to trails from your accommodation. I did the most famous multiday hike from Mestia to Ushguli, but I think the best trail from the time there was up towards.

A few of the other favourite views from the trip:

Next week I’ll talk about some of the gear I was using on the trip.

I’m not gonna lie, it’s pretty good to be back in NZ.

Have a great week, hike it up.

As always, reply to this email (or message me on Whatsapp +642041702764) with anything and everything…I’m happy to chat.

Chur,

Jub

p.s. get that friend to sign up to the newsletter. Plleeeease.

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