Bookings for DOC’s Great Walks, huts and campsites for the 2026/27 season open from 12 May.
Opening dates for bookings are staggered across several days. DOC says the phased approach helps people who are planning multiple trips and reduces pressure on the booking system on opening day.
Opening dates for Great Walk accommodation
(For stays from 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027. Bookings open 9.30am on listed dates.)
Opening dates for all other DOC accommodation
(For stays from 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027. Bookings open 9.30am or 12 noon.)
Iconic Mueller Hut in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park gets a spruce up
Department of Conservation contractors have just finished work on Mueller Hut putting in new windows and doors, replacing interior and exterior cladding and putting in new water tanks, all while working in extreme alpine conditions.
DOC project lead Rob Stewart says the job was insanely challenging due to gale-force winds and snow. “The weather was horrendous for us to be honest, apart from one day. We had sixteen loads of materials to helicopter in, plus ten loads of people, including gasfitters, plumbers, painters and builders. This was the biggest maintenance project on Mueller for over twenty years.”
As well as work on the building itself, the team gave the inside a sandpaper, paint and polish, re-coating the tables, bench seats and other surfaces.
“Because it’s such a mission getting up there, we wanted to make the most of it. We’ve future-proofed Mueller Hut with an upgrade to the gas system and water tanks and strengthened the hut structure. This building takes an unbelievable hammering from the elements, so we wanted to make sure we’ve maintained it to last for another 20 years at least,” says Rob. Read more from DOC.
Endangered whio return to the Rees Valley after 50 years
Conservationists in Otago are celebrating the return of whio to the Rees Valley after more than 50 years. Southern Lakes Sanctuary staff spotted a pair of the endangered blue ducks on a recent trip to install a new trapline in the valley, north of Glenorchy.
Southern Lakes Sanctuary chief executive Paul Kavanagh said the sighting was very significant and exciting following years of predator control work by his organisation, the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust, Rees Valley Station, Ngāi Tahu and the Department of Conservation.
“Our staff were lucky enough to be watching a pair of takahē feeding beside a pair of whio on the river. It’s so exciting and I guess it’s validating for the work we’ve been doing in partnership with many people for quite a long time,” he said.
Takahē were released in the Rees Valley last year but the whio had returned of their own accord, Kavanagh said.
The return of the river birds followed that of the western weka last year, which also had not been seen in years. Read more from RNZ.
Government invests $5.5m to make Wellington NZ’s first predator-free city
Wellington is set to become New Zealand’s first predator-free city as the Government launches the next phase of its nationwide elimination strategy.
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced the move, which involves scaling up predator control across the entire capital to move from local projects to citywide impact.
The Department of Conservation will invest $5.5 million over five years to support Predator Free Wellington, working alongside Capital Kiwi and Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne.
The phased operation will target introduced predators across 18,500 hectares, an area that includes more than 200,000 residents and 20,000 businesses. Potaka said the focus is on shifting to larger, sustained elimination by using improved tools, technology, and strengthened coordination.
The initiative aims to bring back native wildlife and increase the city’s appeal as a destination. Potaka said the return of native species would create opportunities for conservation-based tourism, supporting local jobs and businesses.
The Wellington project is intended to serve as a model for towns and cities across the country. There are currently more than 9,000 community trapping projects active nationwide. Read more from Stuff.
Walk 40,000km: Meet the man walking around the world
Alexander Campbell is a modern adventurer looking to circumnavigate the globe on foot. It’s been just over three years since he officially kick-started his epic journey, setting off from the steps of the Sydney Opera House on February 12th, 2023. His plan is a simple one: he’s going to walk around the globe, over 40,000 kilometres, across four continents and 30 countries.
He’s currently over halfway into this journey, but it is looking likely to take longer than the four years he was initially hoping to complete the challenge in.
He set off along Australia’s East Coast before traversing South East Asia, crossing into South Asia through India and Pakistan, before a long journey through Central Asia. Next up was the Middle East and Caucasus, with Azerbaijan and Georgia completed before crossing into Europe. He’s currently in Turkey and planning to travel across the continent to the United Kingdom. Then it’s the Americas before the final stretch along all of New Zealand, before walking the final miles back to Sydney. Read more from Far Out Magazine.
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