Wilderness Magazine

29/09/2025

New Zealand is famous for having over 20 million sheep, but that’s only the mammalian ones. High in the mountains and in some river beds, we also have vegetable sheep.

These extraordinary plants belong to the daisy family and occupy an interesting niche in both the ecosystems and the ethnobotany of Aotearoa.

If they’re flowering, give them a sniff: some are sweetly scented to attract the moths, flies, native bees and beetles that pollinate our indigenous flora. Tread lightly, however, as these giant daisies are old and slow-growing.

New Zealand is famous for having over 20 million sheep, but that’s only the mammalian ones. High in the mountains and in some river beds, we also have vegetable sheep.

These extraordinary plants belong to the daisy family and occupy an interesting niche in both the ecosystems and the ethnobotany ...

29/09/2025

We asked our Walk1200km community how walking helps them to deal with and overcome some of life’s challenges. Here is what six walkers had to say.

28/09/2025

Today it’s rare – although not impossible – to use public transport to get to or from a tramping trip. Passenger rail services are few and far between.

In general, public transport in New Zealand focuses on getting people to school, work or shopping centres rather than accessing the outdoors. That said, there are some excellent trips accessible from most major New Zealand cities. Wellington, with its nearby hills and a regional train system, is particularly blessed. Here are 13 public transport routes that get you to the outdoors - no car required.

Today it’s rare – although not impossible – to use public transport to get to or from a tramping trip. Passenger rail services are few and far between.

In general, public transport in New Zealand focuses on getting people to school, work or shopping centres rather than accessing the outdoors....

27/09/2025

From the archive: This route climbs 1000m through bush and tussock along a narrow, rocky ridge to reach the highest point on the Pouakai Range.

This route climbs 1000m through bush and tussock along a narrow, rocky ridge to reach the highest point on the Pouakai Range.

26/09/2025

From the archive: Securing a booking takes the anxiety out of tramping, especially for beginners. These 10 bookable huts are perfect for both newcomers and experienced trampers.

Securing a booking takes the anxiety out of tramping, especially for beginners. These 10 bookable huts are perfect for both newcomers and experienced trampers.

26/09/2025

Washpool Hut is located in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve’s ‘dark core’ on the remote Aorangi Crossing. It's also the closest hut to the Putangirua Pinnacles, a 4-5 hour walk from the road end.

The hut was built in 1962 by the New Zealand Forest Service for pest animal control work in the area. It was rebuilt in 1968 after a large rimu tree fell onto the hut and destroyed it. You can see a photo of the accident at Hut Bagger.

In early 2022, volunteers from the exNZFS group, Bruce Wenden, Michael Wilkinson & Steve Algar, refurbished the hut, cleaning & painting both the interior & exterior. The hut is now in its original orange NZFS colours.

Washpool Hut is located in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve’s ‘dark core’ on the remote Aorangi Crossing. It's also the closest hut to the Putangirua Pinnacles, a 4-5 hour walk from the road end.

25/09/2025

If your adventures involve long days, off-track travel and the varied surfaces of transalpine trips, this boot is a nimble option, particularly on steeper terrain that calls for confidence in your footing. It’s light for its stiffness, but this comes at the cost of durability to the uppers. Read the full review online now!

If your adventures involve long days, off-track travel and the varied surfaces of transalpine trips, this boot is a nimble option, particularly on steeper terrain that calls for confidence in your footing. It’s light for its stiffness, but this comes at the cost of durability to the uppers. Read t...

24/09/2025

Winter-level warmth and plush comfort from a packable sub-600g mat might sound too good to be true, but this mat provides just that. Compared to other mats in its class, it won’t break the bank either.

Read gear editor Mark Watson's full review.

24/09/2025

With a few slight modifications, apple crumble is a dessert that is surprisingly easy to replicate in the backcountry. Get the full recipe!

With a few slight modifications, apple crumble is a dessert that is surprisingly easy to replicate in the backcountry.

23/09/2025

Molesworth is an area of national ecological significance. Over 70 threatened plant species grow here, a quarter of which are acutely threatened.

On the summit take time to sit, relax and enjoy the 360-degree views. The possibilities for adventure in this area are vast – in almost every direction is a summit you can plan to conquer. Read the full trip report.

Enjoy a steady climb to a seemingly elusive summit.

22/09/2025

Balancing life as a mechanical design engineer, family farm worker and elite trail runner, Weston Hill has become the first Kiwi to join Merrell’s global performance team.

Hill, 33, has gained three New Zealand Trail Running national titles (2020, 2023 and 2025) and represented Aotearoa multiple times at the Trail Running World Championships – no simple feat, given the growing sophistication of New Zealand’s trail running scene.

Hill grew up on the family farm in Upper Hutt, just a stone’s throw from the Tararua Range where tramping adventures with his family laid the foundation for his future success.

Balancing life as a mechanical design engineer, family farm worker and elite trail runner, Weston Hill has become the first Kiwi to join Merrell’s global performance team.

Hill, 33, has gained three New Zealand Trail Running national titles (2020, 2023 and 2025) and represented Aotearoa multiple ...

22/09/2025

Are backcountry huts becoming hotels, a trick to know where to cross a river and favourite tramping meals... These are the subjects of some of the letters our readers sent in this month.

Read more letters from our readers and send in your own! We want to hear your thoughts about the NZ outdoors. Plus, every entry has a chance to win a prize! Email [email protected] with your stories.

Are backcountry huts becoming hotels, a trick to know where to cross a river and favourite tramping meals... These are the subjects of some of the letters our readers sent in this month.


Read more letters from our readers and send in your own! We want to hear your thoughts about the NZ outdoors. P...