New Zealand's Great Walks launch on Google Maps

10:29, Nov 05 2015
GOOGLE
New Zealand's Great Walks can now be seen on Google Maps thanks to the Street View Google Trekker.

Adventurers from around the world can now experience New Zealand's Great Walks without leaving the comfort of their living room.

Google launched 360 degree views of the Milford, Kepler, Abel Tasman, Waikaremoana, Heaphy, Routeburn and Rakiura (Stewart Island) tracks on Google Maps on Thursday.

The tech giant teamed up with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Air New Zealand to launch the imagery, which was collected during the past four years using Google Trekker.

A 360 degree view of the Lake Waikaremoana Track is one of NZ's Great Walks that will be available on Google Maps.
SUPPLIED
A 360 degree view of the Lake Waikaremoana Track is one of NZ's Great Walks that will be available on Google Maps.

The Street View Trekker is a backpack outfitted with 360 degree cameras designed for locations accessible only by foot.

The Trekker includes 15 lenses that take photos every 2.5 seconds.

Launched in 2012, it weighs about 18 kilograms and can operate in desert heat, freezing conditions and when fully-submerged in water.

READ MORE:

* Conquer the Great Walks from your lounge

* Google 'Trekker' hits Abel Tasman track

Google said Thursday's launch put New Zealand's Great Walks alongside other famous natural attractions that have been captured by Google Trekker, including the Grand Canyon, Galapagos Islands and Mt Fuji.

Google New Zealand spokesman Ross Young said the launch was a milestone for the tourism industry and the country.

"Immersive technology experiences like these give international tourists the chance to see first-hand how stunning our country is before they travel.

"This is a great example of business and government working together to use technology and the internet to tell New Zealand's story to the world."

DOC director general Lou Sanson said the partnership was a great example of the department's contribution to New Zealand's tourism success story.

"Our open spaces, stunning landscape and unique culture are central to how the world sees us.  

"The Great Walks are a huge part of the brand that sells New Zealand and our products to the world, and draws around three million visitors to our shores each year." 

DOC had been working on the project with Google Trekker since 2012.

In 2013 trekker Matt Jenke set off on the Abel Tasman walk with the Google Trekker, before going on to the Heaphy.

He was accompanied by DOC staff and the team went on to complete the Great Walks after the successful experiment.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said it was exciting that this was the first time Google Trekker had been used for multi-day tracks.

"Through our partnership with DOC, we've seen a big increase in visitor numbers on the Great Walks. 

"The introduction of Google Trekker imagery is another way to further this momentum using new technology to inspire and give visitors a preview of what it's like to walk the Great Walks."

The imagery was launched by Prime Minister John Key at a function at Air New Zealand Customer Innovation and Collaboration Centre in Auckland on Thursday.