NZ favourite with British trampers
The readers of both a British walking website and a magazine said they would rather take a tramp around New Zealand than other areas, including Switzerland, France, America, Nepal and Canada.
New Zealand won the award for best walking place overseas in a poll of the readers of Walk — the official magazine of Britains Ramblers Association.
Users of website outdoorsmagic. com also named the country Best International Destination in their annual awards.
New Zealand Alpine Club executive committee chairman Geoff Gabites said Britons were attracted by the wild country, coupled with the ease of access.
The walking terrain and the infrastructure that goes around it is pretty good and comfortable, he said. But then you have got the opportunity to get into some remote situations, albeit with a good hut to stay in.
The other thing is the diversity of the terrain we have, from the rainforests to the high plains and volcanic areas.
He said British trampers might feel confident that if they did get into trouble calling for help would be easier as their rescuers would speak English.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) controls nearly 1000 mountain huts and more than 12,500km of tracks in New Zealand.
DOC Canterbury conservancy community relations officer Sarah Mankelow said New Zealands size offered walkers a quick route into the wilderness.
If you take Arthurs Pass, for example, you can fly in from Britain to Christchurch International, drive two hours and be in the middle of the rugged mountains, start on the side of the road and be in the wilderness in half an hour.
Mankelow said although some tracks became very busy in the high season trampers could still find genuine solitude in many areas.
We have spots that are really popular and do get crowded in summer. Thats why there are restrictions in terms of hut tickets. You can still get to plenty of huts in the mountains at that time and have them to yourself.
British walker Piers Chapman was in Christchurch yesterday before heading to Aoraki Mount Cook for an alpine recreation course.
The 23-year-old, from Horsham, Essex, said he had walked the Tongaririo Crossing and was looking forward to exploring the Southern Alps and the Wanaka area.
The only place like this in Britain would be Skye (Scotland). It is the only place which is as barren and doesnt have much population.
Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) has recently launched a Great Walks campaign to try to attract British visitors to nine of New Zealands most spectacular tracks.
Members of DOC have travelled to an outdoor show in Britain to promote New Zealand as a walking destination, as well as publishing blogs and reviews about the tracks on the internet.
The UK is New Zealands second largest market for visitors each year and, like those from all countries, they are drawn to New Zealand largely by its landscape and scenery, said TNZ chief executive George Hickton. The unique wildlife, stunning landforms and primitive bush and forest are things walkers cannot find elsewhere.
