How to Tramp Responsibly in Wānaka

Wānaka is the gateway to Mt. Aspiring National Park in the incredible Southern Alps region of New Zealand.

Our surrounding mountains offer endless opportunities for exploration and every year, thousands take to the hills to discover once-in-a-lifetime alpine environments that so few get the chance to experience.

Although the mountains are beautiful, it’s important to remember that they are also wild and play by their own set of rules. We are simply visitors. Therefore, everytime we head into the hills, it is our responsibility to be prepared for whatever might get thrown at us. It is also our responsibility to ensure that we leave the mountains as we found them.

The following guidelines and resources will help you ensure that you make the most of your time in the outdoors, safely and consciously.

Planning your tramp

A good way to start any mountain adventure is to plan and prepare.

If you’re not sure where to begin, check out Mountain Safety Council’s Plan My Walk app or Wānaka Tracks app. Both of these platforms can help narrow which walk is best suited for you and how to prepare.

Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has also identified some of the more popular and/or challenging tramps in New Zealand and have produced a video series, each video focusing on a specific walk and its hazards. For example, Wānaka’s own Gillespies Pass is featured in this video below.

Remember to Know Before You Go. You’re potentially heading into an alpine environment where rain, snow, wind and temperatures can all be extreme. Check Department of Conservation (DOC) alerts before heading off and consider buying or hiring a beacon from your local DOC office.

Always follow the Land Safety Code. These five steps will help you stay safe while tramping in Wānaka.

Choose the right trip for you
Understand the weather
Pack warm clothes and extra food
Share your plans and talk ways to get help
Take care of yourself and others

On the tramp

Being a responsible tramper isn’t just about being responsible for yourself, it’s also about being responsible for the environment. On your walk, this means leaving no trace, respecting wildlife, following fire regulations and camping only where permitted.

When it comes to leaving no trace, a general rule of thumb is ‘pack in, pack out’. If you brought it to the track with you, then it should leave with you. In the same thread, you should also do your best not to disturb the natural environment around you.

To ensure wildlife safety, don’t get too close, even for photos. It’s best to keep your distance and use that handy zoom function on your camera instead.

And definitely don’t feed the animals, particularly birds because this could make them sick or can even be fatal. Keep to the track and avoid riverbeds and posted nesting areas. Finally, keep your dogs on dog-friendly tracks.

On public conservation land, it is not permitted to light a fire during a total fire ban, a prohibited fire season or where signs say a fire is not permitted. Before heading off on your trip, check the DOC website to see if you are permitted to light a fire or use this handy ‘Can I Light A Fire’ tool from Fire Emergency New Zealand.

Finally, always check that your tramp allows camping. You can do this by searching the name of your intended hike on the DOC website.

Loos with views

When you’re in the backcountry, things can definitely get… primal. All DOC huts and campsites have toilets and many carparks as well. However, once you’re out on the trail, the options become a little more sparse.

This helpful video from DOC explains how to properly dispose of your waste on the trail. For those who are a little squeamish, we recommend reading this article from the DOC website instead.