Halfway Hut Makeover Friday 17th February, 2023. The Permolat Southland team of John McDonald, Garth Lornie, Karen Nicholson, Hayden Cohen and Greg Wilson met at Fiordland Helicopters hanger to load up a very shiny blue Squirrel helicopter, with pails of paint, boxes of food, paint brushes & rollers and packs, and of course a ladder.
Huts
After being taunted by the Tararua Ranges for far too long we decided to embark on a two-week Traverse of its main ridgelines. In less than a month, we finished our degrees, quit our jobs, Louise moved flats, and we set off into the mountains.
Back Country Cuisine Meals
Backpacking
Hiking
Tararuas
Tramping
Here we have a spiced meal accompanied with several different sides that will make your camping experience much more inviting and moreish.
Car Camping
How To
Meal Recipes
Road Trip
After we completed the St James walkway we had talked about coming back sometime and just walking the track to Magdalen Hut. Fast forward one year we were planning our walk, and looking forward to being back in Lewis Pass.
Backpacking
Hiking
Huts
Tramping
So, you want to get out in the winter months, but you’re sick of plodding through snow, falling waist-deep with every step that you take? Ski touring might be a great option to look into.
Ski Touring
Skiing
Snow
If you like messy, dripping, dreamy, mouthfuls of chocolate this is the blog for you!
Car Camping
How To
Meal Recipes
Road Trip
When it comes to backpacking (hiking or hunting), especially on longer trips and in cooler temperatures, having a reliable and efficient cooking system is essential. A backpacking stove is a vital piece of equipment that allows you to prepare hot meals and enjoy a warm cup of coffee in the great outdoors.
Backpacking
Bikepacking
Camping
How To
The Amuri Pass is one of the historic routes between the Canterbury and the West Coast. It was first walked by Europeans in 1861 and by 1863 stock were being driven over the pass from Canterbury to West Coast farms. As well as a walking track there is still a horse track over the pass today.
Backpacking
Camping
Hiking
Hunting
Located in the southern end of the pristine Bay of Islands, Cape Brett is an area of the country that is seen by many, but explored by few. Motukokako Island lies just off the tip of the peninsula, with the famous “Hole in the Rock” cruise rolling through a couple of times a day in the summertime.
Tramping
Backpacking
Hiking
Huts
We’ve all been there, you’re out hiking, in the middle of nowhere, with the most spectacular scenery you’ve ever had in front of your eyes. You take a few snaps on your camera to catch this beautiful fleeting moment in time. When you get home, you look back on this beautiful memory you’ve created, and its not at all how you remember it. We've got the solution.
Backpacking
Hiking
Photography
For the past six months, a small team of outdoors experts from Got To Get Out have been coaching a group of relatively novice hikers to try and complete increasingly hard weekend-long sections of Te Araroa. The sixth and last video in our series documents our group of now ‘substantially less novice’ hikers (a credit to their commitment) attempting a comparatively easy section of trail, by their new standards.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
Te Araroa is the hiking / walking trail spanning the whole length of New Zealand. Together we wanted to show what can be achieved by every-day Kiwis, without taking months off work. The fifth video in this series documents our group of novice hikers attempting the Tararua Ranges SOBO (south bound).
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
Te Araroa is a hiking / walking trail spanning the length of New Zealand. We wanted to show what can be achieved by every-day Kiwis, without taking months off work. The fourth video in this series documents our group of novice hikers attempting the 84km long Timber Trail, SOBO (south bound). The Timber Trail is in the central North Island of New Zealand.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
My name is Yasmin Wessels and I’m a lover of anything adventurous and outdoorsy. I’ve decided to embark on a 3125km journey from Cape Reinga all the way to Stewart Island on my push bike. In early March I will cross New Zealand's three biggest islands, biking the North and the South Islands and tramping around Stewart Island to raise money for The Cerebral Palsy Society. I’ve chosen to do this trip in honor of my older brother, Matthew who was born with Cerebral Palsy.
Bikepacking
Expedition
Hiking
Ever wonder how to cater for larger groups or picky eaters at camp? We know making large portions can be quite a painful in the bush without having a lot to work with, don’t stress because we’ve got the answers to all your problems
Car Camping
How To
Meal Recipes
Road Trip
My name is Lucy Te Moananui. I am a sailor, surfer and school teacher from Kaikōura. I have decided to go for my dream of entering a solo offshore race. The Solo Trans-Tasman, 2023
Sailing
Te Araroa (TA) walkers can attempt the Hakarimata Walkway from either its southern end, near Ngāruawāhia, or northern end, closer to Huntly. This group walked SOBO (south bound) so entered the track at Parker Road, near Huntly.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
In this second video in the Got to Get Out series Get Out & Hike Te Araroa in sections, host Robert Bruce shows what it’s like taking a group of novice hikers up and over the 16km Pirongia Traverse in the Waikato.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
I've always wanted to go on a big journey. As a teenager, I wanted to horse trek around New Zealand with my dog and my guitar. Finally, four decades later, here I am without the horses, the dog and the guitar. It's not quite as I'd pictured it, but it's what I've got.
Expedition
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
Living in the South Island, I am spoilt by the endless snowy peaks in which to summit but it has always been my mission to explore the beautiful peaks of the north too, in particular Mt Taranaki, a dormant volcano.
Hiking
Huts
Tramping
The Get To Get Out Te Araroa group kick things off in Auckland with the surprisingly challenging North Shore Coastal Walk.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
As a novice adventure racer, starting with one of the most challenging adventure races in the world this was not the ideal progression.
Adventure Racing
Expedition
If you have followed my journey for a while, you will know that I suffer with anxiety, and before moving to New Zealand, I hadn't addressed what was happening in my brain.
Hiking
Mental Health
Tramping
Some of these hiking clothes tips might be no-brainers to experienced hikers, but for me they’ve helped a heap when it’s come time for an adventure.
Hiking
How To
Tramping
Having a supply of emergency food on hand, for big and small events, provides peace of mind that you can be covered for the situation at hand.
Back Country Cuisine Meals
Expedition
Hiking
Tramping
For the past few months Got To Get Out and Back Country Cuisine has been seeking, and then training, a group of rookie hikers to take part in an innovative filmed experiment on the Te Araroa trail.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
The Robert Route to Lake Angelus Hut path starts with a leg burner, gaining elevation quickly with every calf-crushing step. So be prepared to wipe those beads of sweat dripping down the brow.
Hiking
Huts
Tracks
Tramping
No matter how you skin it, the backcountry represents how the New Zealand fly fishing experience has been sold to the world, and rightly so.
Fly Fishing
A supply of snacks in an easy-to-reach part of your pack is an excellent way to keep the energy up and make your experience more enjoyable.
Hiking
How To
Tramping
Ever wonder what that tiny orange dot is, peaking across the valley from Mueller Hut? That's Sefton Bivvy, and you need to go there.
Hiking
Huts
The Mount Ruapehu summit, being the tallest mountain in the North, gives you a brilliant, as well as a rewarding climb, which is often a lot of people’s first venture into the alpine.
Expedition
Hiking
How To
Winter
After travelling around this country I call home it’s only natural that I’ve been on a couple of gorgeous New Zealand hikes here and there!
Hiking
Tramping
Duck hunting has been on my to-do list for the longest time, but I knew once you go quack, you never go back. Welcome to the Maimai Hilton!
Duck Hunting
Hunting
We made it back to the car with a hint of sadness at the realisation our amazing adventure on the St James Walkway had ended but that didn’t last long because we all knew we’d definitely be back!
Hiking
Huts
Tramping
Over the years I've dialled my resource of mountain weather forecast sites down to a handy five links. They all offer something unique and by using a few different sources you can quickly establish a trend of what to expect.
Hiking
How To
Tramping
So you're packing for an easy weekend jaunt in the backcountry but don't know which are your essential pieces of gear? Don't worry, 45th Traverse legend, Tanya Bottomley, is an expert in this field and shares how to pack a tramping pack.
Expedition
Hiking
How To
Tramping
Tanya’s 45th Parallel Traverse is a personal wilderness challenge, and the next chapter in the story of her inspiring life. As an advocate for women’s empowerment, with this journey, Tanya demonstrated what happens when you choose bravery over fear while choosing a path less travelled.
Expedition
In part two of our Tai Poutini Polytechnic adventure series we have Cole Beeman and a group of friends taking on the Craigieburn Range traverse.
Expedition
Hiking
Recently we helped out with an amazing initiative from the outdoor department Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Greymouth. The mission? The students plan an expedition and the winning teams get some Back Country meals to fuel their trip!
Back Country Cuisine Meals
NZ's Great Walks
Let’s talk about the water you need when rehydrating freeze dried food, such as Back Country Cuisine meals.
Back Country Cuisine Meals
Meal Recipes
Emil Hansen of NZ Hunter Adventures is usually stuck behind the camera dreaming of his chance at a Fiordland Wapiti deer, this time his dreams came true.
Expedition
Hunting
Why walk when you can pedal? You still have to earn your turns but taking in the best coastal rides by bike is worth experiencing.
Backpacking
Expedition
NZ's Great Rides
We’ve been lucky enough to extract fifty of the best roar hunting tips from The NZ Hunter Adventures legends, Willie and Greg Duley.
Hunting
Let’s start at the simple end because getting organised for an overnight hike or multi-night hike is hard enough without having to worry too much about your tramping food!
Back Country Cuisine Meals
Hiking
Tramping
So, how did I come to spend two days in the bush with some great characters doing up a an ironically named Mansion Hut? The hut’s name is ironic because before the work we did, the little two bunk hut was anything but a Mansion...
Huts
Who would of thought that just adding boiling water to a pouch could be so complex and at the same time so entertaining!
Back Country Cuisine Meals
Love scaling to the heavens to catch the greatest views? Then consider trekking to the tops of these Great Walk NZ summits, it might cost you a little bit of sweat but you’ll be glad you made the effort.
NZ's Great Walks
This trifecta formed a literal bikepacking brotherhood. With grand plans of bikepacking their way from Paparoa to Motueka, the brothers were fired up and ready to hit the road, but the first challenge of the trip presented itself almost immediately.
Bikepacking
Expedition
Once June hits we’re already starting to look ahead to spring hiking missions with fresh memories in our minds of carefree summer campsites, but buyer beware...
Hiking
If there’s one area of New Zealand back country that has a reputation for providing a true wilderness hunting experience, it’s Fiordland.
Hunting
So, you want to get out in the winter months, but you’re sick of plodding through snow, falling waist-deep with every step that you take? Ski touring might be a great option to look into.
Ski Touring
Skiing
Snow
When it comes to backpacking (hiking or hunting), especially on longer trips and in cooler temperatures, having a reliable and efficient cooking system is essential. A backpacking stove is a vital piece of equipment that allows you to prepare hot meals and enjoy a warm cup of coffee in the great outdoors.
Backpacking
Bikepacking
Camping
How To
Located in the southern end of the pristine Bay of Islands, Cape Brett is an area of the country that is seen by many, but explored by few. Motukokako Island lies just off the tip of the peninsula, with the famous “Hole in the Rock” cruise rolling through a couple of times a day in the summertime.
Tramping
Backpacking
Hiking
Huts
For the past six months, a small team of outdoors experts from Got To Get Out have been coaching a group of relatively novice hikers to try and complete increasingly hard weekend-long sections of Te Araroa. The sixth and last video in our series documents our group of now ‘substantially less novice’ hikers (a credit to their commitment) attempting a comparatively easy section of trail, by their new standards.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
Te Araroa is the hiking / walking trail spanning the whole length of New Zealand. Together we wanted to show what can be achieved by every-day Kiwis, without taking months off work. The fifth video in this series documents our group of novice hikers attempting the Tararua Ranges SOBO (south bound).
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
Te Araroa is a hiking / walking trail spanning the length of New Zealand. We wanted to show what can be achieved by every-day Kiwis, without taking months off work. The fourth video in this series documents our group of novice hikers attempting the 84km long Timber Trail, SOBO (south bound). The Timber Trail is in the central North Island of New Zealand.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
Te Araroa (TA) walkers can attempt the Hakarimata Walkway from either its southern end, near Ngāruawāhia, or northern end, closer to Huntly. This group walked SOBO (south bound) so entered the track at Parker Road, near Huntly.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
In this second video in the Got to Get Out series Get Out & Hike Te Araroa in sections, host Robert Bruce shows what it’s like taking a group of novice hikers up and over the 16km Pirongia Traverse in the Waikato.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
The Get To Get Out Te Araroa group kick things off in Auckland with the surprisingly challenging North Shore Coastal Walk.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
As a novice adventure racer, starting with one of the most challenging adventure races in the world this was not the ideal progression.
Adventure Racing
Expedition
Some of these hiking clothes tips might be no-brainers to experienced hikers, but for me they’ve helped a heap when it’s come time for an adventure.
Hiking
How To
Tramping
The Robert Route to Lake Angelus Hut path starts with a leg burner, gaining elevation quickly with every calf-crushing step. So be prepared to wipe those beads of sweat dripping down the brow.
Hiking
Huts
Tracks
Tramping
No matter how you skin it, the backcountry represents how the New Zealand fly fishing experience has been sold to the world, and rightly so.
Fly Fishing
A supply of snacks in an easy-to-reach part of your pack is an excellent way to keep the energy up and make your experience more enjoyable.
Hiking
How To
Tramping
Ever wonder what that tiny orange dot is, peaking across the valley from Mueller Hut? That's Sefton Bivvy, and you need to go there.
Hiking
Huts
The Mount Ruapehu summit, being the tallest mountain in the North, gives you a brilliant, as well as a rewarding climb, which is often a lot of people’s first venture into the alpine.
Expedition
Hiking
How To
Winter
After travelling around this country I call home it’s only natural that I’ve been on a couple of gorgeous New Zealand hikes here and there!
Hiking
Tramping
We made it back to the car with a hint of sadness at the realisation our amazing adventure on the St James Walkway had ended but that didn’t last long because we all knew we’d definitely be back!
Hiking
Huts
Tramping
Over the years I've dialled my resource of mountain weather forecast sites down to a handy five links. They all offer something unique and by using a few different sources you can quickly establish a trend of what to expect.
Hiking
How To
Tramping
So you're packing for an easy weekend jaunt in the backcountry but don't know which are your essential pieces of gear? Don't worry, 45th Traverse legend, Tanya Bottomley, is an expert in this field and shares how to pack a tramping pack.
Expedition
Hiking
How To
Tramping
Why walk when you can pedal? You still have to earn your turns but taking in the best coastal rides by bike is worth experiencing.
Backpacking
Expedition
NZ's Great Rides
We’ve been lucky enough to extract fifty of the best roar hunting tips from The NZ Hunter Adventures legends, Willie and Greg Duley.
Hunting
Love scaling to the heavens to catch the greatest views? Then consider trekking to the tops of these Great Walk NZ summits, it might cost you a little bit of sweat but you’ll be glad you made the effort.
NZ's Great Walks
Once June hits we’re already starting to look ahead to spring hiking missions with fresh memories in our minds of carefree summer campsites, but buyer beware...
Hiking
If there’s one area of New Zealand back country that has a reputation for providing a true wilderness hunting experience, it’s Fiordland.
Hunting
Halfway Hut Makeover Friday 17th February, 2023. The Permolat Southland team of John McDonald, Garth Lornie, Karen Nicholson, Hayden Cohen and Greg Wilson met at Fiordland Helicopters hanger to load up a very shiny blue Squirrel helicopter, with pails of paint, boxes of food, paint brushes & rollers and packs, and of course a ladder.
Huts
After being taunted by the Tararua Ranges for far too long we decided to embark on a two-week Traverse of its main ridgelines. In less than a month, we finished our degrees, quit our jobs, Louise moved flats, and we set off into the mountains.
Back Country Cuisine Meals
Backpacking
Hiking
Tararuas
Tramping
After we completed the St James walkway we had talked about coming back sometime and just walking the track to Magdalen Hut. Fast forward one year we were planning our walk, and looking forward to being back in Lewis Pass.
Backpacking
Hiking
Huts
Tramping
The Amuri Pass is one of the historic routes between the Canterbury and the West Coast. It was first walked by Europeans in 1861 and by 1863 stock were being driven over the pass from Canterbury to West Coast farms. As well as a walking track there is still a horse track over the pass today.
Backpacking
Camping
Hiking
Hunting
For the past six months, a small team of outdoors experts from Got To Get Out have been coaching a group of relatively novice hikers to try and complete increasingly hard weekend-long sections of Te Araroa. The sixth and last video in our series documents our group of now ‘substantially less novice’ hikers (a credit to their commitment) attempting a comparatively easy section of trail, by their new standards.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
Te Araroa is the hiking / walking trail spanning the whole length of New Zealand. Together we wanted to show what can be achieved by every-day Kiwis, without taking months off work. The fifth video in this series documents our group of novice hikers attempting the Tararua Ranges SOBO (south bound).
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
Te Araroa is a hiking / walking trail spanning the length of New Zealand. We wanted to show what can be achieved by every-day Kiwis, without taking months off work. The fourth video in this series documents our group of novice hikers attempting the 84km long Timber Trail, SOBO (south bound). The Timber Trail is in the central North Island of New Zealand.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
My name is Yasmin Wessels and I’m a lover of anything adventurous and outdoorsy. I’ve decided to embark on a 3125km journey from Cape Reinga all the way to Stewart Island on my push bike. In early March I will cross New Zealand's three biggest islands, biking the North and the South Islands and tramping around Stewart Island to raise money for The Cerebral Palsy Society. I’ve chosen to do this trip in honor of my older brother, Matthew who was born with Cerebral Palsy.
Bikepacking
Expedition
Hiking
My name is Lucy Te Moananui. I am a sailor, surfer and school teacher from Kaikōura. I have decided to go for my dream of entering a solo offshore race. The Solo Trans-Tasman, 2023
Sailing
Te Araroa (TA) walkers can attempt the Hakarimata Walkway from either its southern end, near Ngāruawāhia, or northern end, closer to Huntly. This group walked SOBO (south bound) so entered the track at Parker Road, near Huntly.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
In this second video in the Got to Get Out series Get Out & Hike Te Araroa in sections, host Robert Bruce shows what it’s like taking a group of novice hikers up and over the 16km Pirongia Traverse in the Waikato.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
I've always wanted to go on a big journey. As a teenager, I wanted to horse trek around New Zealand with my dog and my guitar. Finally, four decades later, here I am without the horses, the dog and the guitar. It's not quite as I'd pictured it, but it's what I've got.
Expedition
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
Living in the South Island, I am spoilt by the endless snowy peaks in which to summit but it has always been my mission to explore the beautiful peaks of the north too, in particular Mt Taranaki, a dormant volcano.
Hiking
Huts
Tramping
The Get To Get Out Te Araroa group kick things off in Auckland with the surprisingly challenging North Shore Coastal Walk.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
If you have followed my journey for a while, you will know that I suffer with anxiety, and before moving to New Zealand, I hadn't addressed what was happening in my brain.
Hiking
Mental Health
Tramping
For the past few months Got To Get Out and Back Country Cuisine has been seeking, and then training, a group of rookie hikers to take part in an innovative filmed experiment on the Te Araroa trail.
Hiking
Te Araroa
Tracks
Tramping
Ever wonder what that tiny orange dot is, peaking across the valley from Mueller Hut? That's Sefton Bivvy, and you need to go there.
Hiking
Huts
Duck hunting has been on my to-do list for the longest time, but I knew once you go quack, you never go back. Welcome to the Maimai Hilton!
Duck Hunting
Hunting
Tanya’s 45th Parallel Traverse is a personal wilderness challenge, and the next chapter in the story of her inspiring life. As an advocate for women’s empowerment, with this journey, Tanya demonstrated what happens when you choose bravery over fear while choosing a path less travelled.
Expedition
In part two of our Tai Poutini Polytechnic adventure series we have Cole Beeman and a group of friends taking on the Craigieburn Range traverse.
Expedition
Hiking
Recently we helped out with an amazing initiative from the outdoor department Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Greymouth. The mission? The students plan an expedition and the winning teams get some Back Country meals to fuel their trip!
Back Country Cuisine Meals
NZ's Great Walks
Emil Hansen of NZ Hunter Adventures is usually stuck behind the camera dreaming of his chance at a Fiordland Wapiti deer, this time his dreams came true.
Expedition
Hunting
So, how did I come to spend two days in the bush with some great characters doing up a an ironically named Mansion Hut? The hut’s name is ironic because before the work we did, the little two bunk hut was anything but a Mansion...
Huts
This trifecta formed a literal bikepacking brotherhood. With grand plans of bikepacking their way from Paparoa to Motueka, the brothers were fired up and ready to hit the road, but the first challenge of the trip presented itself almost immediately.
Bikepacking
Expedition
Here we have a spiced meal accompanied with several different sides that will make your camping experience much more inviting and moreish.
Car Camping
How To
Meal Recipes
Road Trip
If you like messy, dripping, dreamy, mouthfuls of chocolate this is the blog for you!
Car Camping
How To
Meal Recipes
Road Trip
Ever wonder how to cater for larger groups or picky eaters at camp? We know making large portions can be quite a painful in the bush without having a lot to work with, don’t stress because we’ve got the answers to all your problems
Car Camping
How To
Meal Recipes
Road Trip
Having a supply of emergency food on hand, for big and small events, provides peace of mind that you can be covered for the situation at hand.
Back Country Cuisine Meals
Expedition
Hiking
Tramping
A supply of snacks in an easy-to-reach part of your pack is an excellent way to keep the energy up and make your experience more enjoyable.
Hiking
How To
Tramping
Let’s talk about the water you need when rehydrating freeze dried food, such as Back Country Cuisine meals.
Back Country Cuisine Meals
Meal Recipes
Let’s start at the simple end because getting organised for an overnight hike or multi-night hike is hard enough without having to worry too much about your tramping food!
Back Country Cuisine Meals
Hiking
Tramping
Who would of thought that just adding boiling water to a pouch could be so complex and at the same time so entertaining!
Back Country Cuisine Meals