After careful consideration and experiencing multiple walk cancellations due to inclement weather over the last few years, the Banks Peninsula Walking Festival Committee has decided to reschedule the 11th offering of this event to February/March 2024.
The festival, organised by the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust, previously took place in November. However, it will now be held from February 24 to March 10, 2024. This decision was made in response to the significant number of walk cancellations in November during the past few festivals.
Festival Coordinator Wanda Vivequin says these cancellations are disappointing for participants, volunteer guides, and landowners who generously allow access to their properties for these events.
Over the last few years, approximately ten walks have had to be cancelled each festival due to unfavorable weather conditions. “We hope that this change in timing to the festival will result in far fewer cancellations,” Wanda said.
“We have a most exciting line-up of walks and volunteer guides already secured for the rescheduled festival, and I know eager participants will not be disappointed,” she added. Another change will be that the line-up for the festival will be released ahead of ticket sales next year, giving people enough time to plan what they want to do before booking.
Alongside this date change, the festival format will be adjusted as well. Instead of spanning four weekends, it will now be condensed into three weekends, and incorporate midweek walks.
November 2023 Mini-Event: To facilitate the transition from November to March, festival organisers will run three “teaser” events in November as well as provide inspiration for self-guided walks during the month.
The three events being run in November are: the ever popular Brice Falls walk in the Early Valley on November 4, a through hike of Te Ara Pātaka (35 km) for the very keen on November 5 and the highly successful “Green Dots and Grand Views” walk connecting the Otahuna Valley with the Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden hosted by Te Ara Kākāriki’s Peter Joyce on November 25.
Tickets for these walks will go live on the Festival website on 16 October so mark your calendars!
For more information please contact Wanda at: bpwalkingfest@gmail.com
