McLaren Falls Park offers a great place to explore for less experienced trampers.
McLaren Falls Park offers a great place to explore for less experienced trampers.
Rising numbers of Bay residents are heading for the hills for closer encounters with nature.
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, Huka Falls and Tongariro National Park are the most popular Department of Conservation sites among Bay of Plenty people, according to a survey.
A total of 274 Bay of Plenty peoplecompleted a Nielsen survey prepared for DOC about attitudes towards, understanding of, and participation in conservation activities.
Kaimai Mamaku Forest in the Bay of Plenty was the area most likely to have visited. The survey showed 41 per cent of respondents had visited the area in the 12 months prior to the 2014 survey. The next most popular site was Huka Falls in the Taupo area followed by Tongariro National Park in the central North Island.
Mike Burrett of the Tauranga Tramping Club said the Kaimai tracks were favourites with the club. He said the topography of the Bay of Plenty was unique with the Kaimai Ranges running down it.
A Department of Conservation pamphlet on the walks and tramps in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park and surrounding areas boasts more than 50 options.
Karangahake Gorge, Otanewainuku, Wairere Falls, Mount Te Aroha and anything else in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park tops Mr Burrett's list and the different tracks in those areas were endless, he said.
And for less experienced trampers, there was always McLarens Falls Park, the Otawa Trig in Papamoa, Ngatuhoa Lodge area and the Aongatete Lodge area.
All the walks were easy to get to and offered varying degrees of difficulty, Mr Burrett said.
Mr Burrett said the club also travelled to the Rotorua area for tramps during the winter as the pumice-based soil tended to be drier.
The club took part in a 4-6 hour walk each week and tried to do a different track each time.
A Department of Conservation pamphlet on the walks and tramps in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park and surrounding areas boasts more than 50 options.
A Nielsen survey has also revealed the most popular DoC sites among Bay of Plenty people are further afield, including Huka Falls and Tongariro National Park - as well as Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park.
There are several walks at the Karangahake Gorge.
A total of 274 Bay of Plenty people completed a Nielsen survey prepared for DoC about attitudes towards, understanding of, and participation in conservation activities.
Kaimai Mamaku Forest in the Bay of Plenty was the area most likely to have visited.
The Nielsen survey showed nationally, nearly three quarters of New Zealanders said they had visited at least one DoC recreation area in the past 12 months, up on 71 per cent in 2013.
The main activity carried out during their most recent visit was sightseeing or taking a short walk, according to the survey.
Mr Burrett said that increase in visitors was a good thing. "Any time you can get anybody out in the bush is good."
He thought most visitors behaved well, respected the bush and knew how to stay safe.
The Nielsen survey showed satisfaction with the parks and places administered by DoC was high with 80 per cent rating their experience 4 or 5, with 5 being very satisfied.
New Zealanders considered the top two benefits of conservation to them personally were protecting animals and plants and protecting the natural environment for their children.
Nearly three quarters of New Zealanders had a favourable view of the Department of Conservation, down on 79 per cent in 2013.
Of those who had an unfavourable opinion, the key reason related to animal or pest control particularly regarding the use of 1080 poison, according to the survey.
DoC media adviser Lizzy Sutcliffe said it had been a good year across the board for visitor numbers.
Statistics showed overnight stays for DoC's nine Great Walks had gone up by 20.2 per cent in the three years to June, she said.
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