Move to website bookings for Waikaremoana Great Walk
Date: 07 August 2008
Visitors to the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk will get access to the speed and convenience of online booking for huts and campsites after 15th August according to Department of Conservation (DOC) Programme Manager, Dave Bolland.
At present, on the current manual system, bookings can still be made for the period up to 15th August. However, from now until the new web-based system starts operating, DOC offices and visitor centres will not be taking bookings for dates from 15th August forward, in order to minimise errors during the changeover period.
"From 15th August onwards, people will be able to go online, check availability of huts and campsites and book for themselves. The web-based system will cover bookings for facilities on the Waikaremoana Great Walk and for use of Sandy Bay Hut on the shore of Lake Waikareiti. If people have any queries or don't want to book online, they can contact staff at Aniwaniwa to get help with bookings," Mr Bolland said.
The Waikaremoana Great Walk is a 46 kilometre three to four day tramping track around the western side of Lake Waikaremoana. It is one of a network Great Walks managed by DOC that provides an opportunity for moderately easy tramping through magnificent scenery. Sandy Bay Hut at the northern end of Lake Waikareiti, is sited on the shores of a shallow bay featuring brilliant white sand.
Huts and campsites on the Waikaremoana Great Walk provide shelter, water and toilets for visitors, allowing people to enjoy the area while managing their impact on forest and lake. To limit ecological damage, camping is not permitted within 500 metres of the great walk except at designated campsites. Prior booking of great walk huts and campsites is mandatory and is necessary to avoid overcrowding and protect the environment.
"Te Urewera National Park has an almost mythical reputation, both in terms of Maori tradition and as the setting for tall tales of back country experiences. The Waikaremoana Great Walk provides a relatively gentle introduction for people who are new to exploring New Zealand forest. We hope that the ease of using the online booking system will encourage more people to come and visit this very special place," Mr Bolland said.