Walking with sheep

International visitors are a step closer to meeting some of New Zealand's 40 million sheep. A few thousand of the woolly ambassadors on three sheep stations in the central Hawke's Bay will be part of the scenery when the farms open to the public.

Prompted by the region's reputation among walkers who enjoy the rolling hills, good climate, and stunning views, the farm's owners have established walking tracks across their properties. Each takes about four hours over farmland.

The walks are open daily in summer, and guided walks will be made on January 5, February 23 and April 6 next year.

Contact: information centres in Napier, ph (06) 834 1911; Hastings, ph (06) 873 5526; Waipukurau, ph (06) 858 6488; or the walk organiser, ph (06) 858 7601.