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Family Tramping in NZ

dougal

30-Mar-2011
8:57:51 PM

Ideas anyone?

Walks in NZ with 2 kids (6 and 9) that might mysteriously end up at a crag or two:) Even open to a chopper in/out in alpine environ. Next Summer?

Doesn't need to be a walk as such. Could be just a great location to roam around and take it in.

We'll have just renovated after the qld floods and will need a good inspiring break.

Cheers

shortman

30-Mar-2011
9:07:58 PM

Pretty much anywhere out of cities.

Don't know about alpine areas in summer. Stuff that. If you got money for a chopper, get a yacht and cruise around the bay of islands for a bit. Beach walks, inland walks, and DWS, just watch the hammerheads!

And good ice cream across the bay in russel.

freesolo

31-Mar-2011
1:52:13 AM

great place is takaka/golden bay next to abel tasman park. good climbing, nice beach, day hikes etc....

depends on season. xmas is a bit crowded, but post-january would be good.

i also like long beach down by dunedin. bit of climbing, very peaceful.

Sally

31-Mar-2011
7:31:03 AM

If you go through Arthurs pass, Flock hill near Castle hill has lots of cool bouldering that would suit all sizes and abilities. Bring torches and explore cave stream( 45mins to 1 hr through cave. It was up to chest height so take 2 adults in case the kids need help and don't go if it's been raining or might be about to) while you are there. If you fly in or out of Christchurch this is a must do day. The access details can be found on www.mojozone.co.nz.

The Golden bay/ Takaka suggestion is good. As there is Abel tasman, rivers ocean and Climbing in at Paynes ford. Nelson Town has affordable family activities compared to most places.

Wanaka has good tramping up the Matukituki. Rob roy veiw is a great half day walk, and lots of sport climbing and you could do a Big trip staying in Aspiring hut 2 hrs up valley and the French ridge hut 5 hrs steep uphill at the base of Alpine terrain.( might be hard for the little one?)

Central North Island Tongariro area Too -The crossing is volcanic and awesome. I'd stay in the Huts with kids and make it a 3 day trip ( or longer if you do climbng days)as It's a big day. Especially if you want to Summit Ngaruahoe. CLimbing up there and at Whanganui bay/ Kinloch, etc. also lots of MTB and Cultural stuff.

vwills

31-Mar-2011
12:29:17 PM

All of the south island! Depends on the whinging level of the kids as to how far they will walk. Presuming they are like my nieces of the same age they wont hike 1000m up a hill.
Second Castle Hill area. Kids explore while bouldering. And Takaka/ Paynes Ford where heaps of seaside and hinterland strolls with easy access climbing. Wanaka which has the kid inducement of Puzzling world. The walk to Aspiring Hut in the Matukituki is fairly flat but at about 10km probably too long for the attention span of a 6 year old. Arrowtown kids will like the museum and lolly shop and old goldmining huts. Seal colonies - there is one at Cape Foulwind on the west coast, and if the blowholes at Pancake Rocks are working they are very spectacular (there is climbing and a nice small beach at Charleston between these areas). Caitlins are quite stunning(no climbing though except at Colac Bay a bit further west). Cruises on Doubtful or Milford Sounds.... Stay at Homer Hut and walk up the Gertrude valley.
Just avoid earthquakes and rain and you will find heaps to do.

off_route

31-Mar-2011
2:01:10 PM

Mt Somers is really good too, about 1.5hrs from Christchurch - the hike in through sub-alpine forest is fantastic, there's a really good DOC hut to stay the night (or camping available) and you can either do a full circuit or head back out easily enough. The first time I went in there was a mum who'd taken a big group of kids around 6/7 years old for an outdoorsy birthday trip, they were having a great time!

And there's some awesome climbing there, trad and sport :D

dougal

31-Mar-2011
11:32:43 PM

Cheers All.

There are 7 messages in this topic.