DOC has launched its new online booking system ahead of the Great Walks opening for bookings on June 12.

Bookings for the 2018/19 season on the nine Great Walks will be staggered over the next two weeks, with the Rakiura Track first of the ranks (see table below for booking opening dates).

DOC is encouraging people to register in advance by creating an online profile on the new system to make the process quicker on booking day – bunks during the peak summer period can book out in minutes.

“Once customers have created their user profile, they can then manage their Great Walks bookings online which means being able to set-up, search, modify and cancel bookings,” DOC’s booking service manager Ross Shearer said.

“The booking service is more intuitive and quicker to use than the previous one. Importantly, our customers will receive safety information before embarking on their trips including an update about the current condition of their chosen track.”

The new system has cost $3 million and will eventually be rolled out for booking other DOC facilities.

“This is phase one of the project, and we will be increasing the facilities covered by the booking service over the next two to three years. Ultimately, all DOC’s bookable facilities will move to the new service,” Shearer said.

You can create an account on the new booking system by clicking ‘create account’ at the top of the webpage here.

[table]Bookings open,Track

Tuesday June 12,Rakiura Track

Wednesday June 13,Lake Waikaremoana Track

Thursday June 14,Heaphy Track

Monday June 18,Tongariro Northern Circuit/Abel Tasman Coast Track

Tuesday June 19,Milford Track

Wednesday June 20,Routeburn Track

Thursday June 21,Kepler Track/Whanganui Journey[/table]