A new ‘passport’ walking guide has been developed to showcase the wide variety of day walks available alongside Fiordland’s Great Walks.
The Hike Fiordland guide, developed by Great South, features 22 walks and is in a passport style, designed so that users keep it and tick off walks as they complete them.
Great South Destination Development Manager Amie Young said these walks were well-loved by Fiordland locals, but visitors were probably less aware of them.
“There are some that allow a taste of the Great Walks, taking in the parts of them that can be walked in a day, which was an option for those that may have missed out on hut bookings.
“And with each walk there is a section for you to complete the date you went on the walk, your rating out of 10 and the weather conditions.”
Murihiku Southland was fortunate to have what will soon be five of New Zealand’s 11 Great Walks within the region - The Rakiura Track, Routeburn Track, Milford Track, Kepler Track, and new addition the Hump Ridge Track, but these were often fully booked well ahead of the walking season, Ms Young said.
“This guide will provide visitors from elsewhere in Murihiku Southland or further afield alternative options, which will hopefully encourage them to stay longer or visit again.
"And they’re great for locals to enjoy too.”
The walks in the guide also catered to those not wanting an overnight hut experience, and to family groups, Ms Young said.
“With school holidays coming up, we hope the passport will provide some inspiration for families heading to the Fiordland area.”
Development of the Hike Fiordland passport and building the profile of our region’s day walks is also a key project within the Murihiku Southland Destination Strategy 2023 – 2029 due to be released next month.
The guides are available at various visitor centres within the region, as well as accommodation providers and tourism operators.
For those wanting to have guides available at their business they can be ordered at greatsouth.nz/brochure-orders.