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Tracy Neal / RNZ
The upper part of the South Island, site of Abel Tasman National Park, is extremely busy, says the DOC.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
More New Zealanders are getting out into the open this summer than ever, with campers and hikers heading straight for Abel Tasman National Park.
Data from the Department of Conservation shows that some regions are busier than before Covid-19.
DOC CEO Lou Sanson said locations within a three-hour drive of major population centers were seeing high visitor growth, despite no international tourists.
Northland, Coromandel, and the upper part of the South Island were especially busy.
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Tōtaranui in Abel Tasman National Park was the most popular camp in the country, with more than 42,000 bed nights booked between the beginning of December and the end of February.
The DOC said the Abel Tasman Coastal Track was shaping up to be the busiest Great Walk during the summer, with more than double the bookings of any other Great Walk.
The Waikawau Bay Camps on the Coromandel Peninsula ranked second in the popularity stakes with 17,580 nights booked, followed by the Northland Camps at Otamure Bay, Uretiti Beach and Puriri Bay (Whangaruru) .
The DOC numbers showed strong demand from people wanting to tackle the country’s Great Hikes. Occupancy rates averaged 83% in the cabins along these walks this summer.
When it came to cabin occupancy, the Milford Track was full and the Rakiura, Kepler and Abel Tasman cabins were near full capacity.
The DOC said that from late October through late November nearly three-quarters of New Zealanders went outdoors. An interesting trend was the increase in the number of visits to island destinations within New Zealand, such as Post Office Wharf, Ulva Island / Te Wharawhara, Trig Track on Kāpiti Island and Kaitoke Hot Springs Track, and Aotea / Great Barrier.
Family on trip in the backyard
The number of visitors was reduced by 52 percent for Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki National Park.
Visitor numbers plummet in national parks
However, the more remote and traditionally high-volume destinations of international renown in the national parks had seen a large decline in visitors.
Numbers heading to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi were down 72 percent. The Franz Josef Glacier had dropped 66 percent, the Hooker Valley Track had seen a 52 percent drop in visitors, and the Roys Peak and Ben Lomond tracks were down 42 and 31 percent respectively.
Sanson said that despite the buoyancy, it was disappointing to see that the kiwis did not obey the rules about protecting their own wildlife or their environment.
“Unfortunately, we still see people doing things that put our unique species at significant risk, like feeding the kea and disturbing the seals, dolphins and penguins.”
RNZ
Don’t feed kea, the DOC reminds New Zealanders. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
He also hoped the kiwis would be the first to show respect and care for Aotearoa, but reports of trash and human waste were coming in from the public and rangers.
“We must be aware that 2020 has been very difficult for many.
“It is even more vital this year to keep the place clean and tidy, to stay home if you are unwell and to show kindness and consideration to others.”
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
