Wilderness

Wilderness has been a part of Lifestyle Publishing since October 1991. Founded by David Hall, who continues to serve as the magazine's publisher, Wilderness has become a staple for outdoor enthusiasts. Each edition of Wilderness highlights the diverse experiences of the New Zealand outdoors. From its inaugural issue, the magazine resonated with both its audience and advertisers, with many of them sticking around since the beginning. The journey has been remarkable, as activities like tramping, hiking, and exploring New Zealand's natural beauty have surged in popularity, now ranking as the third most loved pastime in the country. Over time, Wilderness has also gained more recognition and respect among its readers and the outdoor industry.

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#708117

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#5520

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Tongariro Northern Circuit Great Walk closed for 2025-26 season

3 days ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher

A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. The Tongariro Northern Circuit will not be opening as usual this season, but walkers can look forward to a brand new Oturere Hut in years to come. This means the Great Walk experience is off the table for the 2025-26 season. However, the tracks remain open and trampers can still book the other huts on the circuit individually. Those bookings are expected to open in July.
Popular part of TA closed through June

1 week ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher

A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. The Department of Conservation says Waikato’s Nikau Walk, on the northeastern side of Pirongia Forest Park, needs vital improvements including “tree pruning and upgrading the track surface, both of which will improve the walk for visitors and make it easier and safer for DOC staff”.
Mysterious $600,000 stash of gold found by hikers

2 weeks ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Justin Sprecher

A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world. Ten gold bracelets, 17 cigar cases, a powder compact, a comb, and a whopping 598 gold coins: The items are all part of a mysterious stash, found by chance by two hikers in the northeastern Czech Republic. The cache is worth at least $600,000, but its origin is unclear.
The survivor - Wilderness Magazine

3 weeks ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | George Driver

Walk1200km helped this walker to cope with the loss of his wife of 57 years. After starting Walk1200km in his mid-eighties while recovering from surgery, Pat Sale has just completed the challenge once more, ticking off 3000km at age 89. Sale read about Walk1200km while convalescing from surgery for a stent placement that had resulted in a perforated artery near the heart. “I came pretty close to the line of going to the other side,” Sale recalls.
A makeover for Anti-Crow Hut

3 weeks ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Samantha Mythen

Backcountry Trust volunteers made the most of autumn’s sunshine to work on a full-scale renovation of Anti-Crow Hut in Arthur’s Pass National Park. BCT’s Ollie Clifton said the makeover of the popular but somewhat neglected hut “turned out to be a bit of a mission”, and volunteers gathered over several weekends for the task. The original hut was built by revered mountaineer Geoff Harrow more than 60 years ago.
Outdoor Training NZ turns 10

3 weeks ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Samantha Mythen

Outdoor Training NZ has celebrated its tenth anniversary. Over the past decade its volunteers have helped to upskill more than 7500 people. The organisation was founded in March 2015 following the Mountain Safety Council’s decision to stop offering courses, and the first groups were taught in May of that year.
Wheel Creek Hut refurbished for generations to come

3 weeks ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Samantha Mythen

No hut is forgotten when it comes to renovations. Humble six-bunk Wheel Creek Hut, located in Victoria Forest Park, was given a major spruce-up recently. Five DOC staff and a volunteer completely repiled the 1960s hut, refurbished the roof and put on a fresh coat of paint. “The object was to protect this hut for generations to come, while leaving the hut in the original condition,” DOC ranger Matt Ainge said.
A weekend mission to bag all the Tararua huts - Wilderness Magazine

3 weeks ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Samantha Mythen

Over four days in April, 32 Victoria University of Wellington Tramping Club (VUWTC) members bagged all 46 huts in the Tararua Range. “Well really, 43 huts, three bivvies, plus three unofficial huts and a water tank,” chief guide Kate Morris said. “It was a massive success.” The club did it last year and missed two huts due to the weather closing in. “That makes the success this year even sweeter.”This year, the weather held.
How to use a hut book - Wilderness Magazine

3 weeks ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Samantha Mythen

A forest-green ‘intentions book’ can be found in every DOC hut across the motu. Often battered, tea-stained and well-thumbed, these books serve as both the hut’s diary and an important tool for search and rescue teams. Visitors are encouraged to write in the hut book even if they are just passing through: a record of who’s in the group, your trip plans, and dates of arrival and departure.
Celebrating NZ’s unique tramping culture

3 weeks ago | wildernessmag.co.nz | Alistair Hall

It goes by many names: hiking, rambling, backpacking, hillwalking, trekking. Only in New Zealand is walking in nature known as tramping. Overseas, an overnighter usually means carrying a tent, or perhaps you might sleep in a refugio or a bothy. Here we have huts, bivvies and tent shelters – more than 900 in all – scattered about the country. They provide sanctuary for no other reason than so anyone can enjoy a night in the wilderness.