Exploring New Zealand’s Tramping Tracks: A Hiker’s Paradise with Real Meals
New Zealand is a hiker’s dream, offering an endless array of trails through National Parks, Forest Parks, and Regional Parks. With its unique landscape and unparalleled beauty, it’s no wonder that New Zealand has become a hiking mecca for both locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re exploring the famous Great Walks, tackling the Te Araroa Trail, or seeking out lesser-known pathways, the opportunities for adventure are limitless. For those intrepid enough to venture into the pristine wilderness overnight, New Zealand offers a remarkable experience that’s hard to match anywhere else in the world.
The Heart of New Zealand’s Wilderness: Tramping Tracks and Backcountry Huts
In New Zealand, what many people around the world refer to as hiking trails, locals know as “tramping tracks.” Tramping is more than just walking—it’s about immersing yourself in nature, challenging your limits, and discovering the country’s rugged beauty. One of the most extraordinary aspects of tramping in New Zealand is the network of backcountry huts maintained by the Department of Conservation (DOC). These huts are scattered across the wilderness, offering a range of accommodations from basic 2-person bivouacs to more lavish, modern buildings like those found along the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
These huts are more than just shelters—they are a gateway to experiencing New Zealand’s wild side, providing warmth, safety, and a unique camaraderie among trampers. With hundreds of huts available, you can plan your adventure to include the comfort of a cozy bed and a fireplace or, if you’re more inclined to camp under the stars, there are ample tent sites along the tracks
A Legacy of Conservation: The Origins of Tramping Tracks
The tramping tracks and hut network you’ll traverse on your adventures were originally built for a very different purpose. In the early 20th century, New Zealand introduced deer and goats for sport, but these animals quickly grew to plague proportions. The burgeoning populations wreaked havoc on native forests and alpine zones, endangering the native bird species that rely on these ecosystems for survival.
To combat this, the Forest Service established hundreds of huts and walking routes to support professional hunters, known as cullers, who would spend weeks in the wilderness to control the wild ungulates. The result of this effort is the extensive network of tracks and huts that we enjoy today—a legacy of conservation that has transformed into one of New Zealand’s most beloved outdoor activities.
Tramping Today: A Thriving Outdoor Culture
Today, tramping has evolved into a national pastime, with thousands of people taking to the tracks every year. This thriving outdoor culture has spawned a whole industry dedicated to supporting trampers, and one of the most essential aspects of any tramping adventure is food. After all, when you’re out in the wilderness, nothing beats the comfort and satisfaction of a hot, nutritious meal after a long day on the track.
That’s where Real Meals comes in. As New Zealand’s premium freeze-dried meal producer, Real Meals is the only company in the world to offer freeze-dried, chef-cooked, handcrafted meals. We understand that trampers appreciate good food just as much as they appreciate stunning landscapes, and we’re here to make sure that your outdoor meals are as memorable as the tracks you’re exploring.
Whether you’re staying in a backcountry hut or camping under the stars, Real Meals provides the perfect blend of convenience, nutrition, and taste, ensuring that your tramping experience is as amazing as the wilderness around you.
So, as you plan your next adventure in New Zealand’s extraordinary wilderness, remember to pack your Real Meals, and take the time to appreciate the history and beauty of the tramping tracks you’ll be walking. After all, tramping in New Zealand isn’t just about the journey—it’s about connecting with the land, embracing the outdoors, and savouring every moment, both on the track and at meal times.
