Off the Beaten Track

By Colin Moore (Craig Potton Publishing, RRP $39.99)

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK by Colin Moore

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Off the Beaten Track is a guide to a selection of walking tracks from around the country.

The main point of difference about these tracks is that they are privately run. Being private there is a cost involved as Moore explains in his introduction, you get what you pay for. Here is the opportunity to see places literally off the beaten track, with the extra benefits if you wish, of pack cartage and/or catering.

The contents page clearly labels the location of the walks on a New Zealand map. The chapters are listed north to south and there is a fairly even split of walks between the North and South Islands.

Each walk has its own chapter that outlines the walks features, a basic itinerary and a summary of the history of the track and geography of the area. There is also a rough sketch map of the walk showing the main features and access roads using birds eye 3-D style mapping.

There are also mini-guide fact boxes showing length of walk, accommodation choices, and season length and, in these modern times, a web address of the track operators who can provide further details e.g. availability and prices.

This is a nice, attractive looking book with plenty of bright colour photographs for each chapter. Even if you're not likely to walk the tracks, it is almost as good as a coffee table book, showing a good cross section of the outstanding scenery from north to south and with some interesting reading on those areas.

- © Fairfax NZ News