Across

7. _____ Lakes – colourful beauties seen on Mt Tongariro (7)

9. Start tramp _____ in order to finish before nightfall (5)

10. Projecting ridge on mountain (5)

11. This sort of land sustains abundant plant growth (7)

12. Compass direction (9)

14. Distress signal if you need to be rescued (1,1,1)

16. Tree resin (3)

18. Iconic monolith in Australian great outdoors (5,4)

21. Landscape can be this when night sky is clear (7)

22. Went by dinghy (5)

23. Yellow-flowering shrub seen in NZ bush (5)

24. Protected outdoor sanctuary (7)

Down

1. Low-lying marshy areas (8)

2. Person in charge of tramp (6)

3. Wilderness spot for potholing enthusiast (4)

4. Silty gravel loosened by erosion, or decomposing plant matter (8)

5. Learns and practises skills needed for outdoor pursuit (6)

6. Circular pattern of currents in ocean basin (4)

8. Daniel _____ wrote “Robinson Crusoe” – great wilderness story! (5)

13. Hands-free source of light for night-time in wilderness (8)

15. Animal introduced into NZ wilderness from Asia (4,4)

17. Continue to tramp wearily (4,2)

19. Register to compete in Ironman event, eg (5)

20. Press _____ – carry on tramping (6)

21. Large crowds of people – not seen in wilderness! (4)

22. Upward slope or hill (4)

Hidden Solution: Speedy wilderness activity (5,7)