Getting out amongst it, while readily accessible and not necessarily particularly strenuous (depending on your choice of track) is still a serious business. It is very important to plan and prepare adequately. Here is some advice which you may find interesting, and also helps you to maximise your enjoyment of the outdoors and your personal safety.
Central Otago can be very hot in summer although it can (and does) snow at any time of the year. On multi day tramps you should expect some rain even in the summer and be aware that it is not always possible to dry clothes in the track huts. It can be tempting to underestimate our seemingly easy flat range tops, but despite appearances, they are a true alpine environment. Many walks have no trees and little shade and are generally on hard dry surfaces so it’s very important to carry water with you and have suitable footwear. For grade 1 & 2 tracks sports shoes (sneakers or running shoes) are fine. Other more serious hikes require good hard-soled tramping boots. Even on the shorter Wakatipu day walks, hikers should always carry at least 1 litre of water; sun hat, sun cream and a cool long sleeved shirt.
Cell phone coverage overall is fairly good in Central, particularly on the crests of the range tops, but should not be relied on. There is almost no cell phone coverage in the ranges around the Southern Lakes. You should consider a personal locator beacon especially if you are going to solo on the harder and more remote grade 4 tracks.
Some of the grade 3 tracks and all of the grade 4 tracks involve long steep descents on tussock slopes which can be very hard on the knees. A walking pole can definitely help to ease the strain.
A good insect repellent is very handy if not essential. We carry 3 different types of repellent ranging from the very strong Busman’s Jell which contains 80% Deet as the active ingredient, to a natural citronella repellent. Urban legend suggests that eating our good old Kiwi favourite Marmite (a good source of vitamin B) is also helpful in repelling mosquitoes. Whilst we feel that this can’t hurt – when faced with “mossies” in Milford which seem as big as small cargo planes, you will be wanting something else too!
Sunburn can be a major hazard for those who are not prepared adequately. Our overseas visitors should be aware that the ozone layer in NZ is thinner due to the curvature of the Earth. Whilst we delight in living in areas where air pollution is non existent, this also means there is less ‘stuff’ in the air to filter out harmful rays. These factors dramatically increase the potential for sunburn even for those who are usually in the outdoors or live even in “hot” countries. A sunhat is an obvious piece of essential equipment, but you should also carry a warm hat to help you cope with weather extremes at any time of the year.