Its also a great chance to get some experience of a longer tramp - particularly if your thinking of going on the week long trip to the south island in the mid-semester break (30 June - 8 July). Carrying 8 days food + winter gear can be a bit of a shock, so this 4 dayer is a nice way to work up to it!

Actually I was thinking of doing a 2-3 day Kaweka/hanging round at the hot pools trip anyway - and then spend a couple of days laxing in Hawke's Bay (home for me), or maybe a roady up Gisborne way where the sun always shines (and if it doesn't there are more hot pools)! So if anyones keen for a really easy option...

There's also tons of wineries in hawke's bay and i've never done a tour - so we could always come out a day early and 'sample' some quality hawke's bay produce!