Willing and Abel to step out Campsites and trails busy as more Kiwis explore outdoors
More New Zealanders are getting into the great outdoors this summer than ever before, with campers and hikers making a beeline for the Abel Tasman National Park.
Data from the Department of Conservation shows some regions are busier than they were before Covid19.
DOC’s director-general, Lou Sanson, said places within three hours’ drive of major population centres had seen high visitor growth, without international tourists.
Northland, Coromandel and the upper South Island were especially busy.
To¯taranui in the Abel Tasman National Park was the country’s most popular campsite, with more than 42,000 bed nights booked between the start of December and the end of February.
DOC said the Abel Tasman Coastal Track was shaping up to be the busiest Great Walk over summer, with more than double the bookings of any other Great Walk.
Campsites in Waikawau Bay in the Coromandel Peninsula took second place with 17,580 nights booked, followed by Northland campsites Otamure Bay, Uretiti Beach and Puriri Bay ( Whangaruru).
DOC figures showed strong demand for our Great Walks.
Occupancy rates were averaging 83 per cent full at huts along these this summer. Referring to hut occupancy, the Milford Track was full and the Rakiura, Kepler and Abel Tasman huts were close to full capacity.
DOC said from late October to late November nearly three quarters of New Zealanders got outdoors.
An interesting trend was there more people visiting islands within New Zealand, such as Post Office Wharf, Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara, Trig Track on Ka¯piti Island and the Kaitoke Hot Springs Track, and Aotea/Great Barrier.
However, more remote destinations in national parks popular with overseas tourists had seen a huge decline in visitors. Numbers heading to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi were down by 72 per cent.
Franz Josef Glacier was down 66 per cent, the Hooker Valley Track had seen a 52 per cent drop in visitors and Roys Peak and Ben Lomond tracks were down 42 and 31 per cent respectively.
Sanson said despite the buoyancy, it was disappointing to see Kiwis were not obeying rules around protecting their own wildlife, or their environment.
“Sadly, we’re still seeing people doing things that put our unique species at significant risk, such as feeding kea and disturbing seals, dolphins and penguins.”
He had also hoped that Kiwis might lead the way in showing respect and care for Aotearoa, but there were reports of litter and human waste. “We need to be mindful that 2020 has been very tough for many. It’s even more vital this year to keep the place clean and tidy, stay home if you are unwell and demonstrate kindness and consideration to others.”