Abel Tasman and Heaphy Track hut bookings filling fast
Media contacts::
Martin Rodd, at DOC's Motueka office, phone +64 3 528 1810
Trish Grant, DOC Nelson/Marlborough communications advisor, phone +64 3 546 3146.
Hut and campsite bookings:
Abel Tasman Coast Track
Heaphy Track
Date: 24 November 2008
The Department of Conservation says people wanting to stay in Abel Tasman Coast Track and Heaphy Track huts and campsites over the busy summer holiday period need to get in quickly to book spaces as they are filling up fast.
DOC's Motueka Area Manager Martin Rodd said bookings are required for all people wanting to stay at huts and campsites on these Great Walks, including young people under 18 who can stay for free.
"Demand is high for spaces in Abel Tasman Coast Track and Heaphy Track huts and campsites over summer, particularly the peak Christmas-New Year period. Some Abel Tasman huts and campsites are already fully booked on some days.
"It has been free for youth under 18 to stay in Great Walk huts and campsites since July but bookings must be made for spaces for them and all other people wanting to stay overnight on these tracks."
People can make Great Walk bookings and get information to help them plan their trips on the DOC website. Bookings can be made in person at certain DOC visitor centres and offices and some i-SITEs.
Mr Rodd said the numbers of children and young people staying in Abel Tasman and Heaphy Track huts and campsites had gone up since it became free for under-18-year-olds in July.
"From the beginning of July through to mid-October, there were in total 1029 overnight stays by young people in Abel Tasman huts and campsites, compared to 825 in the same period last year. On the Heaphy Track, youth occupancy of huts and campsites for the same period has gone up to 383 overnight stays this year from 153 last year. Adult overnight stays for that period have remained relatively constant.
"It's great to see more young people walking these tracks and enjoying time in the outdoors now that it is free for them to stay on the Great Walks."
The Abel Tasman Coast Track and Heaphy Track are two of New Zealand's nine Great Walks managed by the Department of Conservation.