Geoff Chapple, Te Araroa Trail founder. By Mark Watson It wasn’t just another day on the Te Araroa Trail. I was walking the North Shore beaches, homing in on Auckland City and feeling stoked; the first 600km was under my belt. No injuries. Feeling fit. The Devonport ferry awaited – the first motorised interruption of […]
About the author
Mark Watson
Wilderness gear editor Mark Watson divides his workdays between graphic design, writing and photography. His passion for tramping, climbing, cycling and storytelling has taken him all over Aotearoa and the world in search of great trails, perfect moves and epic light. He has published four books and his photographs have featured in numerous publications. Especially motivated by long distance travel, he has tramped Te Araroa and cycled from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.
The 2026 Wilderness Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition
A tale of adventure and tragedy
25 huts to visit in 2025
Mt Peel, Kahurangi National Park
A lofty location for Brass Monkey
Subscribe!
Each issue of Wilderness celebrates Aotearoa’s great outdoors — written and photographed with care, not algorithms.Subscribe and help keep our wild stories alive.
