A wrap of the biggest stories and best writing about the outdoors from New Zealand and around the world.
There is a lot of land to explore in New Zealand, meaning even the most committed traveller will miss out on some spots. Stuff asked their travel team what Kiwi destinations were on their bucket lists. Some of the highlights include Doubtful Sound, the walk to the Cape Reinga lighthouse, the Coastal Walkway in New Plymouth, and the Hooker Valley Track. Read more at Stuff.
iPhone 14 users can connect with emergency services when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage are not available
Apple’s Emergency SOS satellite features are now available for customers in New Zealand and Australia on all iPhone 14 models.
Emergency SOS via satellite builds on existing features to connect to a satellite to share critical information with emergency services, family, and friends. When activated, a short questionnaire appears and the answers are transmitted to dispatchers to quickly understand the userʼs situation and location.
Since launching last year, Emergency SOS via satellite has helped save lives in 12 countries. Additionally, users can share their location via satellite with friends and family with the Find My app. Read the full details on Apple’s website.
Queenstown camping grounds to be leased to Australian company
There are concerns the sale of leases for five Queenstown Lakes camping grounds to an Australian group may spell the end to the Kiwi camping experience. But the Queenstown Lakes District Council says it intends to retain ownership of the land, and campers will continue to enjoy the places they love.
Doug Fraser has been camping at Glendhu Bay Motor Camp with his family since the late 1940s. “They talk about joint ventures with private capital and changing to different camping systems, so is that code for building chalets on the campsites that we’ve been camping on for many years? There’s a certain nervousness about that.”
Those concerns were echoed by other Glendhu Bay campers “I think it will just take away the Kiwiness of camping there,” one woman, who did not want to be identified, told RNZ.
Body found in Richmond Ranges likely missing tramper
A body found in the Richmond Ranges is believed to be a tramper who went missing earlier this month, police said. “Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time,” they said in a statement.
Hiker Petr Cech from the Czech Republic had been reported missing on the Te Araroa Trail Angels Facebook page. He left for the hike on May 1 and had enough food for eight days, according to a friend’s post.
The NZ Mountain Safety Council said the death of the tramper was a tragic reminder of the need to take safety precautions in the outdoors. Read the full story at RNZ.
“Bears are gonna bear” – wily animal caught breaking into truck to find lunch
Another week, another entertaining bear video. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) shared a video showing just how easily bears can break into unlocked vehicles in search of an easy meal.
In the clip, a black bear opens a truck door and clambers inside easily. It knocks over a hard cooler full of ice and drinks, which it uses as a stool to help it climb in. Eventually, it re-emerges with a soft-sided cooler in its teeth and runs into the trees with its prize.
“Bears should NOT be eating from trash receptacles, bird feeders or other human-provided food sources. Bears are gonna bear – people are the solution – change your habits” said a CPW spokesperson.
