Joe Tindale and Darcy Merson made moss-taches at Sugarloaf Pass, Mount Aspiring National Park.

It was a joy to reach Pahautea Hut for Ayla Leslie (6), Suus Leslie (4), Theo Pynenburg (18 months), Emily Pynenburg (3) and Charlotte Pynenburg (5). The four older kids walked the whole way.

Jenny Gaudian paused for a spot of reading in Mount Aspiring National Park.

Mark, Jesse and Summer Lawton visited Taranaki Falls in Tongariro National Park. “We were going to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing but there were gale force winds,” said Mark.

Clare Knox and kids Jesse (8) and Mila (6) went to Lake Sylvester and Sylvester Hut, and toasted marshmallows for breakfast. “Nature really is the best playground,” said Clare. “The kids are already asking when we can go again.”

Emily Johnston and Tom Argyle’s three-day trip in Nelson Lakes National Park ended with a surprise sunrise engagement at Lake Angelus. “Couldn’t have picked a better spot,” said Emily.

Kaleb Krause did a section of the Queen Charlotte Track from Mistletoe Bay to the lookout, about halfway to Anakiwa, and back.

Nicole Grigg and Ruth Alexander loved the view after a long slog to the top of Mt Memphis on the Dusky Track. “This ended up being hour six of a 16-hour day after we decided to walk out to Manapōuri to avoid the rain coming the next day,” said Emma.

Barbara Cleary walked the Hump Ridge Track. Here she is at Stag Point.

Sophia Coddington headed into Sunrise Hut in the Ruahine Range. “It was very overcast, but once we got above the cloud there was a beautiful view of Central Hawke’s Bay,” she said.