Kiwi Tramping

At the Koranga Forks Hut

Tramping enthusiast Sonia Barrish says you don’t have to travel far, have expensive gear, or be over a certain age to make the most of New Zealand’s hiking trails.

words: Michelle McCullough images: Supplied

“A lot of people aim for the great big walks but there are actually a lot of cool tracks close to home, especially in Christchurch where you can see the city from a different view. There are heaps of walks that are great for children, pretty easy and right there so you don’t need to travel far such as the Packhorse Hut Track and Rod Donald Hut Track.”

The Kaiapoi resident’s first experience of overnight tramping was completing the Kepler Track with her parents and brothers as a child. However, it was not until she attended university that Sonia’s passion for tramping took off.

“I find it really fulfilling. It’s nice to get away, enjoy the time and switch off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.”

Now with her husband Menzo whom she married at a Department of Conservation (Doc) Hut eight years ago, and their children, six-year-old Bethany and two-year-old Jordan, the family embarks on several local walks and up to two overnight tramps per month.

“[When I got pregnant with Bethany] everyone told us we would have to give tramping up but I was pretty adamant that we wouldn’t. Bethany’s first overnight trip was when she was just under three months old. It was so nice to get out there again and feel like I achieved something.”

When she was only 12 months old the family completed the 66km St James Walkway in the Lewis Pass, and to date, Bethany has visited an impressive 164 Doc Huts while Jordan’s hut count is at 86.

“Kids can walk more than we give them credit for, but you have to start small. It’s obviously a lot slower [with kids]. Generally, it takes us double the amount of time on the signpost but that’s okay because to make it fun for them you have to stop a lot more. We stop and cook lunch along the way and at every creek to let them play.”

“The kids will notice the little things you wouldn't even notice like little bugs. They are not as interested in the views as we are, they are more interested in what’s close to them on the ground.”

One of the family’s favourite experiences was a trip to the Kahurangi Keepers Hut in Tasman’s stunning Kahurangi National Park.

“To get to it you walk along the beach so it's pretty much a giant sandpit the whole way, and it was just such a gorgeous hut. It was just really, really magical. It felt like we were at the end of the world and it was just such an amazing place to explore. We just didn't expect that it would just be so gorgeous.

“We also enjoyed the Greenstone and Caples tracks [near Queenstown] - the scenery is just magical. I prefer the multi-day tramps to the overnight ones because it gives you more time to switch off and get into them. The hut also has flushing toilets which is a luxury.”

When she is not busy exploring Aotearoa with her family in tow, Sonia home-schools her children and runs Back to the Wild, a company that specialises in organic body products including sunscreen and insect repellent. She has also developed a book called My Overnight Adventure Journal, with a North Island and South Island edition to encourage families to get out and explore the great outdoors.