Wilderness

Each issue of Wilderness takes its readers to the most beautiful areas in New Zealand, whether by foot, mountain bike, sea kayak, raft, pony or dream.

FUN WITH CHALLENGES

Wilderness

LETTER of the MONTH

YOUR TRIPS, YOUR PIX • What did you get up to last weekend?

BANKS PENINSULA PROPERTY BECOMES REGIONAL PARK

A SUMMER OF PROTECTING TONGARIRO

READY FOR THE ROAR

HOW WE WALKED 1200KM • FROM LOCAL URBAN WALKS TO CLASSIC NEW ZEALAND TRAMPS AND INTERNATIONAL TRAILS, ONE GROUP OF WALKERS REFLECTS ON THEIR FIRST WALK1200KM CHALLENGE.

YOU CAN'T WALK 1200KM WITHOUT GETTING WET

GEAR TO HELP YOU WALK MORE THIS MONTH • This gear from Walk1200km partners will get you off to a flying start

#microchallenge 28–30 WINNERS! • Complete the #microchallenges, as these Walk1200km participants have done, and receive an exclusive, can't-be-bought Walk1200km badge. The best effort in each challenge also receives a special prize from our partners!

March 2026 #microchallenge • In each issue, three new #microchallenges are set to add interest and silliness to your kilometres.

THE KŌKAKO IS OUR FOREST DIVA ‘BIRD OF PARADISE' • Crowned Bird of the Year in 2016, this blue-wattled beauty stands proud on the $50 note.

HUT BAGGING; IT'S CHILD'S PLAY • Think your kids are too young to start hut bagging? They're probably more capable than you realise.

THE THREE TRIPS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE • Celia Hogan, co-chair of Education Outdoors New Zealand

YOU CAN ALWAYS CHANGE YOUR PLANS • Your progress is slower than expected but you don't want to give up. When is the right time to change your plans?

5 WAYS TO LAKE ANGELUS • There's more to this amazing part of Aotearoa than Robert Ridge.

THE TARARUA'S FORGOTTEN TRAVERSE • FROM LAMBTON QUAY TO THE RUGGED HEART OF THE TARARUA WILDERNESS, TWO TRAMPERS DARE TO LINK ŌTAKI RIVER'S MOST REMOTE HUTS ON A FOUR-DAY ADVENTURE.

EVERY TARARUA HUT REVIEWED AND RANKED • Topo maps show 50 huts in Tararua Forest Park, and Anna Watson has been to them all. Some are delightful, characterful shelters from the storm; others she wouldn't stay in, even if they were free.

The possibilities of PACKRAFTING • Packrafting is growing in popularity, opening up the landscape for trampers and adding new creativity to trips. Avid converts tell us why they're onboard.

BACK TO SCHOOL • Having completed Duke of Edinburgh as a student, Matthew Cattin returns as a teacher to lead students in the outdoors.

HYPER LIGHT, HYPER PACKABLE • Big Agnes's new Tiger Wall UL2 Bikepack tent combines cutting-edge fabric technology with bikepacking-specific features, the benefits of which extend beyond two-wheeled travel.

GEAR RADAR • New and interesting gear we've discovered this month

OBOZ KATABATIC RT LOW

WHAT'S IN MY PACK • BIG EXPEDITION TRAMPER AND HUNTER MITCHELL RADFORD.

THE 2026 GUIDE TO SLEEPING BAGS • SLEEPING BAGS ARE GETTING LIGHTER AND MORE COMPRESSIBLE AS BRANDS UTILISE HIGH-LOFT HYDROPHOBIC DOWN AND LIGHTWEIGHT FABRICS. CHOOSE A BAG BASED ON YOUR BUDGET AND WITH A COMFORT TEMPERATURE RATING THAT SUITS THE MAJORITY OF YOUR TRIPS.

THE 2026 GUIDE TO TREKKING BOOTS • FOR MULTI-DAY TRIPS WHERE A HEAVY PACK IS CARRIED, SOMETIMES OVER ROUGH TERRAIN AND EVEN ALPINE PASSES, YOU NEED DURABLE AND STABLE TREKKING BOOTS.

Mt Somers via Te Kiekie Route Hakatere Conservation Park • Experience the spectacular geology and commanding views of Mt Somers by completing this overnight loop.

Tahurangi Lodge circuit Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki • Enjoy Taranaki Maunga via Razorback Ridge as a half-day trip or an overnighter.

Green Point Hut Gamack Conservation Area • Journey...