A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.

It’s that time of year, the annual pilgrimage of trampers to DOC’s booking website in hopes of securing a limited spot on a Great Walk.

DOC is switching to a two-week staggered rollout this year. It’s likely to troubleshoot booking issues that have plagued their system in the past before the most popular tracks open up.

But we can’t help but notice it also feels like DOC is building suspense like a good TV drama. With that in mind, let’s preview this year’s four-part limited series of Great Walk bookings.

Yesterday saw the release of episode one with bookings for the Heaphy, Kepler, Rakiura and Hump Ridge tracks opening.

Next Thursday, episode two will see the opening of bookings for the Whanganui Journey and Routeburn Track.

Episode three comes on Tuesday, May 27, with booking for Lake Waikaremoana, Abel Tasman and Paparoa tracks opening.

The highly anticipated series finale comes the next day on May 28, with bookings for the coveted Milford Track beginning.

If the 2025 Great Walks booking season doesn’t provide enough content, be sure to check out the schedule for the spin-off series: non-Great Walk accommodation.

May 13 – Backcountry huts, lodges, sole occupancy facilities

May 20 – Conservation campsites, except Tōtaranui, Momorangi, Anaura Bay campsites

May 21 – Momorangi campsite, Anaura Bay campsite

June 4 – Tōtaranui campsite

Did Crocs release the best all-weather hiking sneaker?

When you think of outdoor footwear, Crocs is probably not the first brand that comes to mind. However, the clog-making company has been quietly dipping their toes in the outdoor space for years.

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, they’ve launched the End. x And Wander x Crocs Trailbreak, an all-conditions redux of one of Crocs’ best hiking sneakers.

According to Gear Patrol, Crocs’ Trailbreak was already a surprisingly great hiking sneaker. This reissue includes the original chunky and rugged thermoplastic outsole along with one significant change: this version gets a wetsuit-inspired neoprene sock liner booty. Read the full review from Gear Patrol.

Taupō family walk the length of New Zealand

Courtney and Andrew Williams and their children Elliot, 6, Skye, 9, Summer, 11, and Oliver, 13, finished the 3048km walk from Cape Reinga to Bluff last month, in 218 days.

“There is a sense of disbelief that we actually walked the entirety of New Zealand. I’m so proud of the kids and of us as a family, for working together and getting through all that,” Courtney said.

The family had done the odd trail run, day walks and climbs before but nothing comparable to Te Araroa trail, Courtney said. At most, they would walk up to 32km a day, or for about 12 hours.

Courtney said the children have learned more from walking the trail than from a textbook. “We just made time, like an hour or so at the beginning or end of the day of actual book work. Everything else was learnt along the way. The classroom became the most beautiful environment,” she said.

Te Araroa chief executive Matt Claridge said the family’s walk was a remarkable achievement. He believed Elliot, at age 6, would be one of the youngest to have completed the trail. Read the full story from RNZ.

Government asking for public feedback on Predator Free 2050 strategy

Conservation officials are planning the next few years of the country’s national biodiversity strategy – Te Mana o te Taiao – and the landmark Predator Free 2050 campaign.

Discussion documents, which include draft goals for the strategies through 2030, were released last week. They include several new approaches to address a grim reality that New Zealand has the highest proportion of threatened species anywhere in the world.

For the National Biodiversity Plan, proposals include diversifying where funding for biodiversity activities comes from, including finding new revenue streams from external sources.

The draft plan proposes creating a “biodiversity investment prospectus” to entice funding from external partners to co-fund or invest, reducing “reliance on direct funding from rates and taxes,” the document says.

DOC would also review the fee schedules and processes for the existing use of public conservation land and water activities, the document says.

Predator Free 2050 was created in 2016 under John Key’s National Government. It has an ambitious goal of eradicating possums, rats and mustelids from New Zealand. Read the full story from NZ Herald.

Whangārei engineer recognised for cycle trail work

Whangārei’s Steve Gwilliam was presented the award by Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission, for his time spent designing and building cycle trails, and promoting public access to the outdoors.

As a civil engineer, Gwilliam has worked as a Whangārei District Council consultant on many of the urban cycling tracks in the district, saying he is lucky to be able to combine his work and lifestyle.

As well as his engineering contributions, Gwilliam often volunteers his time and resources to build new trails and advise community groups.

He was nominated for the award by the Northland Regional Trails project team, with volunteer Amanda Bennett saying his passion for cycling tracks makes him a local hero. “He’s unwavering in his commitment to enhance outdoor experiences for everyone.”

Steve’s ultimate dream is for Northland to have a multi-day cycle trail, running from Mangawhai all the way up the east coast to the Twin Coast Cycle Trail in the Bay of Islands, using this existing trail to the west coast, then linking to the Kaihu Valley Trail and down to Dargaville. Read the full story from NZ Herald.