Before Te Araroa Existed ...

[whynotwalk]

I recently came across a fascinating account of a long walk in NZ by Rex Hendry. Not Te Araroa exactly, but pretty much the same idea, except 20 years before that route officially existed.

Describing it as "A Wee Walk in the Wilderness", Rex set off in 1983 to walk the length of New Zealand "through the bush". He's published his account of the walk, and has (generously) made it available free on his website
http://www.lovelavender.co.nz (under the "books" menu)

Cheers

Peter

[north-north-west]

Thanks for that. Downloaded and will be read soon.

[madpom]

Quite a few people before and since making up more interesting routes than Te Araroa. My own project is East Cape to West Cape which takes you down the main divide of both islands. I thought that was original but have since heard of half a dozen others who've walked it. One pair even kayaked the cook strait between N and S islands so as to use no mechanical assistance on the trip!

[wayno]

that book follows very little of Te Araroa, that route is far more challenging than the existing Te Araroa trail.