Preparing for the trip ahead

Image: Trey Guinn | Creative Commons

Know before you go

Introduction

Always explore prepared – and remember, it’s never too late to turn back.

In this section

Alerts

Alerts

Find out about changes in conservation areas that might affect the safety or enjoyment of your trip.
Weather

Weather

Get MetService weather forecasts for national parks and other conservation areas, as well as severe weather warnings, the brief mountain forecast and other weather bulletins.
Maps

Maps

Get the right map for your trip. Find out what maps are available and where to buy them so you can adequately plan for your trip.
Plan for a safe trip

Plan for a safe trip

Plan your land based trip into the New Zealand outdoors. Enter some basic information then receive alerts, forecasts and resources relevant to the activity you're doing.
Safety in the outdoors

Safety in the outdoors

5 essential things to do before you go to ensure you have a great trip and make it home.
Be avalanche alert

Be avalanche alert

Avalanches can occur in any season. Anytime that snow and steep slopes are combined there is potential for an avalanche. You need to understand the risks before you visit avalanche-prone country.
Take your litter with you

Take your litter with you

We all need to do our bit to keep New Zealand's natural environment free of litter. Litter harms our environment, our soil, our waterways and wildlife.
Poo in a loo – and be prepared for when there isn’t one

Poo in a loo – and be prepared for when there isn’t one

There aren't many toilets in our wild places. Always go before you start your trip and use a loo when you can.
Give wildlife space

Give wildlife space

Love this place and the animals that we share it with. Give wildlife their space and don't feed them to help protect New Zealand's precious native species.
Drone use on conservation land

Drone use on conservation land

Arrange a permit to fly a drone over conservation land or near marine mammals.
Dog access on conservation land

Dog access on conservation land

Where you can take your dog on public conservation land, disability assist dogs, avian awareness training and why dog access is controlled.
Visiting pest free islands

Visiting pest free islands

When visiting pest free islands, or islands that are becoming pest-free, make sure you check your gear before you leave the mainland.
Lighting fires on public conservation land

Lighting fires on public conservation land

Find out when and where you can light fires on public conservation land.
Gold fossicking

Gold fossicking

Find about about recreational gold fossicking (including gold panning) in New Zealand.
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