Top Outdoor Experiences

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Mountain Safety Council has just released its 50 favourite family outdoor experiences, in time for the summer holidays. If your idea of a great holiday is getting outside, then check out the list, which includes the most scenic and interesting spots in New Zealand, from the Waitakere Ranges’ Fairy Falls to the Invincible Gold Mine Track in Glenorchy. The list is an interesting mix and no all ages and level of fitness are catered to.

MSC Chief Executive Mike Daisley says, “there are so many spectacular places to discover in New Zealand. Regardless of how extensively people have travelled the country, there are bound to be sights in our 50 favourites they haven’t yet visited. With summer holidays just around the corner, now is a great time to get out and explore some of these places. The experiences cover destinations right across New Zealand, from beach trails and forest walks to hot pools and mountain hikes.”

The diverse collection of some of New Zealand’s best family outdoor adventures includes places such as Cleopatra’s Pool, a beautiful rock pool complete with a natural, moss-lined waterslide in the Abel Tasman National Park; the East Coast’s Panekire Bluffs, with their magnificent views of Lake Waikaremoana and the surrounding mountains; the Tangoio Falls Scenic Reserve tracks in Hawkes’ Bay; and the Punakaiki Cavern in Paparoa National Park.

The MSC is also interested in raising awareness about how to stay safe when enjoying the outdoors. Even for day walks, remember to:

• make a plan (where you are going, what you will need, whether it is suitable for all participants)
• tell someone where you are going (and when you are planning to return)
• check the weather (and be prepared for changes)
• know your personal limits (fitness injuries etc)
• take appropriate supplies (clothing, water, first aid and communication)

An interactive map on the MSC website outlines each of the destinations, along with a short description of what makes it special. The website also includes important tips on how to stay safe when enjoying the outdoors.

The MSC is running a competition to coincide with the release of the 50 favourites, inviting people to share their favourite New Zealand outdoor spot and top safety tip. Participants can win an outdoor adventure pack valued at over $500.

“We thought encouraging families to get out and explore some of what New Zealand has to offer this summer was a great way to celebrate 50 years of keeping people safe in the outdoors. It’s also a great opportunity to get our safety messages in front of people, including families – who are making up an increasing proportion of the three million people who access the outdoors in New Zealand at least once a year.”

For more, visit www.mountainsafety.org.nz.