South Island NZ

[wildernesswanderer]

Well my wife and I are finally going to NZ in September, 21 days in the South. We are hiring a campervan and driving around the place but I would love to get some local knowledge on good day walks in any areas of the South Island, I'm a mountain person so any that will get my into more wilderness areas, don't mind if it's a full 6-8hr walks as long as it's remote enough to experience a bit of NZ's wilderness. I'm hoping to be back to do two hikes early next year but this one is more a holiday. Any help appreciated

[wayno]

search the forum, its been discussed a lot

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recrea ... and-walks/

http://www.craigpotton.co.nz/store/book ... ew-zealand

[Hallu]

I did the South Island with the NZ Frenzy guide ( http://www.nzfrenzy.com/ ) and felt I was advised by a local. Although American, the author loves searching for unknown places, and his book is packed with hidden gems. It's also very honest (he tells you where the tourists go the most with an "obscurometer"). But it doesn't have that many long day walks, maybe a couple of them, the rest are more half day walks. You have to dig a bit more for this.

Regarding September, I'm guessing snow is still everywhere at this time of the year, so you should also do quite a bit of research on what will be closed or not. Also, although you have 21 days, don't underestimate driving times in NZ. Roads are slow and windy, with those famous one way bridges, bear that in mind.

[wildernesswanderer]

Thanks both of you will check out the websites.

[wayno]

unless you have decent experience in snow and can identify avalanche danger, stay low, or off the higher mountains

[wildernesswanderer]

Yeah not planning any mountain climbing, just some nice walks to see the mountains away from the crowds.

[wayno]

http://www.topomap.co.nz/

[wildernesswanderer]

Thanks guys found some great info from the pages linked. planning underway.

[GPSGuided]

http://www.topomap.co.nz/

This is an amazing service! Only if we have something similar here...

[frenchy_84]

http://www.topomap.co.nz/

This is an amazing service! Only if we have something similar here...

http://www.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/listmapstart.jsp

Its state based in Aus, and most of the mainland states are pretty backwards about it but TheLIST is good.

[walkinTas]

This is an amazing service! Only if we have something similar here...

It is good, however I'd prefer 1:25000 . And it would be nicer if the maps could be better package for downloading. I took nearly a day to download the whole 1:50000 series.

@ frenchy_84 - if only theList or tasmaps would allow free downloading of digital maps - or even downloading at a reasonable fee.

[GPSGuided]

http://www.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/listmapstart.jsp
Its state based in Aus, and most of the mainland states are pretty backwards about it but TheLIST is good.

Thanks! So the Tasmanian leads the way here.
But not downloadable in .kmz format.

[frenchy_84]

@ frenchy_84 - if only theList or tasmaps would allow free downloading of digital maps - or even downloading at a reasonable fee.

Everyone has a different opinion on what's reasonable though Wt. I have a fair idea of the man hours required to build that data set so think its pretty good value for money. As besides its neither an essential service or rarely necessary to need the whole data set for private use. Maps are a requirement for our hobby just like walking boots it's just our boots don't get subsidized by the government. However I am aware that not many on this site agree with me and sorry for diverging off topic

[frenchy_84]

http://www.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/listmapstart.jsp
Its state based in Aus, and most of the mainland states are pretty backwards about it but TheLIST is good.

Thanks! So the Tasmanian leads the way here.
But not downloadable in .kmz format.

You can download to kmz, top right corner under share where there is an option to export to google earth.
And yes tas is one of the best states I've come across for spatial data access.

[GPSGuided]

You can download to kmz, top right corner under share where there is an option to export to google earth.
And yes tas is one of the best states I've come across for spatial data access.

Thank you! I'll dig a bit more and see what happens. I'd be great if it can be loaded onto my Garmin.

[bernieq]

If you have a Garmin mapping GPS, you can download 4 files that will combine to produce an img file consisting of the whole of the LINZ topo maps (ie for display on your GPS)

Go to : http://gwprojects.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1561
… and click the link to the latest version.


Takes a bit of time but you finish up with an img file – the whole of topo NZ on your GPS (and accessible from Basecamp, etc) – it’s freee and it’s legal - puts Tasmap (and the rest of Aus) to shame !

... and a big thank-you to NZ Open GPS Project !!