Book Review: “Tramping in Aotearoa” subtitled “New Zealand’s Top 45 Tracks” by Shaun Barnett. Published by Potton and Burton. Price $49.99. Reviewed by Tony Orman
Shaun Barnett is already an established – indeed accomplished – author particularly in the field of tramping books.
It was almost 10 years ago that he wrote and highly respected publishers Potton and Burton of Nelson, published, “Tramping in New Zealand”. This exceptional book quickly became a best-selling tramping guide of 40 of the most popular tramping tracks in New Zealand.
Such was the book’s popularity that Potton and Burton have republished an updated revised second edition. The book is sheer quality in both the author’s and publisher’s work and the new edition should be enthusiastically received.
A feature is the series of brilliant accurate panoramic Geographx maps that give a vivid realistic representation of each route relative to terrain and geographical features. Shaun Barnett’s excellent photography and well researched updated text make for a quality production.
There are 45 tramps covered among them well known ones like the Milford Track, the Routeburn, Lake Waikaremoana, the Tongariro Crossing and the Queen Charlotte Track and lesser known but equally appealing hikes in the Coromandel, Ruahine and Tararua Ranges, Nelson Lakes National Park, and other regions. There’s some good advice on hut etiquette, safety and wildlife within the first few pages.
This is a superb striking book and the new revised edition will be warmly welcomed by trampers and other outdoors lovers.
