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

Don’t have time to do the full Abel Tasman Coast Track? Nestled in a subdivision near Little Kaiteriteri is a walk that takes under an hour including time for photo stops of the ocean vistas. 

According to Stuff’s Juliette Sivertsen it’s the most beautiful short walk in New Zealand.

The walk features views of the vibrant turquoise ocean, inlets framed by rock formations, native bush, and the beaches are also home to little blue penguins. Sivertsen even goes so far as to say the walk is “channelling a smaller scale Cathedral Cove energy” in areas like Lewes Cove.

The walk ends at Kaiteriteri Beach where you can reward your hard efforts with a coffee, ice cream, or a swim. Read the full account of the walk on Stuff’s website.

Could this fabric revolutionize ultralight tents?

Silnylon has been the affordable waterproof tent fabric of choice for decades, but a new competitor is shaking things up. 

Silicone-coated polyester, or silpoly has grown in popularity with cottage gear companies like Durston Gear and Six Moon Designs. Polyester has long been used in tents but often required thicker fabric denier to achieve the same strength as nylon. Over the last decade, this has changed as the technology of silpoly has become more advanced allowing it to become light enough for ultralight use.

Proponents of silpoly like that it has less sag than silnylon, making it ideal for trekking pole tents, and that it doesn’t absorb water like silnylon. However, in windy and extreme weather conditions the stretchiness of silnylon still makes it a more durable choice. For the full list of pros and cons read Backpacker Magazine’s story on the next game-changing fabric.

Hundreds of storm-damaged DOC walks and attractions remain closed

Several hundred walks, facilities and sites managed by DOC are still closed by storm damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and flooding earlier this year. The sites include some of New Zealand’s most iconic visitor attractions, including Cathedral Cove, Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk and Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauwae-a-Maui Route. DOC cannot say when all the sites will reopen, nor the potential costs for repairs, with safety assessments still underway. 

Deputy director – general organisation support Mike Tully said the most accessible and high-use sites will be prioritised for assessment. Read Stuff’s article on what remains closed.

Kea spotted in Christchurch’s Port Hills

Two kea were seen in the Port Hills for the first time in years. Laura Young, from the Kea Conservation Trust, said a banded kea was spotted this month, and another without a band in February.

She said it was very unusual for kea to be spotted in the Port Hills, and the organisation was keen to have any sightings registered on its database. “The more information that people put into the database the more useful it is and the more robust data we have on kea and their movements,” Young said.

She asked for bird spotted to try and identify the band so it could be determined if the sighting is of more than two different birds.

Young said kea could travel long distances and they might be exploring rather than settling in the area. Read RNZ’s full story.