Great Walk plans for 2023/2024

 Great Walk adventures for the new season

 It is that time of the year when my mind turns to thoughts of the Great Walks and what kind of adventures I would like to have on them. 

Crossing the Falls River back in August 2022

I didn't get out on any new Great Walks over the last season but I have plans for two adventures on the tracks over the coming spring and summer months of 2023/2024.

Abel Tasman Coastal Track:

As is my custom I am in the process of planning an adventure on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. I go up to Abel Tasman NP every year and go for some kind of walk along the track. It is a fantastic place to visit with the Coastal Track, Inland Track, Canaan Downs and a number of tracks on the Takaka/Wainui side of the park. 

Golden sandy beaches at Anchorage

I am planning a trip for late August 2023...this year I am possibly looking at walking from Bark Bay out to Marahau. Bark Bay is my favorite hut in the park and I like that section of the coast. Alternately I might redo the walk from Wainui to Totaranui that I last covered back in 2021.Both are awesome options with some of the best scenery on the track.  

Wainui Bay from the Abel Tasman Coastal Track

I have yet to decide which I will undertake...it depends a lot on transport to the track, weather and hut availability. I'm in the planning phase at the moment and will soon have bookings and a solid plan for my visit. I may chuck on a cheeky side trip to Wainui Falls while I'm there but I will have to see how things pan out. 

Milford Track:

Karen and I are booked to walk the Milford Track in Fiordland NP over the last week of December 2023. this will be my second time on the track and Karen's first visit. 

Surprise...we will be going the guided route!

We get to stay at historic Glade House, Fiordland NP

Some spare money became available and as Karen is keen to walk the Milford Track we decided to use it for the slightly easier guided tour option. We will be staying in the Ultimate Hikes lodges, will have meals prepared for us each morning and evening and only need carry small packs with our clothing inside. 

Altogether a more civilized way to tramp!

DOC sign along the Milford Track

It is incredibly expense way to walk the track but we both see it as a once in a lifetime opportunity so we just decided to go with it. We have completed all the planning and bookings and I will be writing a post about going on a guided walk in due course. 

Marlees Stream on the Milford Track

I was very envious of the guided walkers I encountered back in 2019 when I last walked the Milford Track and have long wanted to return to bag the new Mintaro Hut (...it should be hut number 333 for Jon...). 

I am itching to get down there and revisit one of the iconic New Zealand tracks. 

The new Mintaro V Hut  just opened in late 2022

Hopefully everything goes to plan and late December will see us enjoying Grilled Salmon and a medley of seasonal vegetables with a nice glass of wine at Pompoloma Hut.

No other plans for the Great Walk tracks at this stage but I have schemes up my sleeve...