The Bush Walkers - Home

Workshops/Kidz

2007-08-29T21:54:00Z

GREEN HORIZON WORKSHOPS

Earthbuilding Workshop

Saturday 1 December to Sunday 2 December 2007 Cost $140

This two day workshop will cover all major aspects of earthbuilding, particularly adobe (mudbrick) and cob construction and provide information and good experience for those interested in building with earth. A site visit to several earthbuildings will be made during the workshop. Click here for more info...

Build Your Own Watertank

Saturday 19 January to Sunday 20 January 2008 Cost $100

Learn how to build your own ferro-cement watertank for a fraction of the cost of a manufactured one. A watertank will be built during the workshop.

Advanced Adobe Workshop

Tuesday 12 February to Saturday 16 February 2008 Cost $450

This five day workshop will provide participants with in depth knowledge of the design and construction of adobe buildings and a good amount of hands on practical experience to give them the techniques and confidence to build their own adobe building. Approximately half of the workshop will be on design and site and soil evaluation and half will be building a small adobe building. Click here for more info...

Onsite Wastewater Systems

Saturday 5 April to Sunday 6 April 2008 Cost $140

Learn how to plan and construct the onsite wastewater system for you own property. A range of different systems will be covered including several types of composting toilets and greywater systems.

Independent Power Systems

Friday 25 April to Sunday 27 April 2008 Cost $240

This three day workshop will provide participants with an understanding of independent power technology and the information to help access their power requirements for an independent system and select equipment best suited to their situation and needs.

Water

Tuesday 13 May to Saturday 17 May 2008 Cost $450

This five day workshop will cover the design of water systems for your own rural property including water sources, watertanks, ponds, dams, water pumping, irrigation and swales, microhydro, recycling, onsite wastewater and greywater systems and composting toilets.

Rodent Control

Saturday 16 August 2008 Cost $20

This workshop will cover several different methods for trapping rats and stoats.

Earth Roof Gardens

Saturday 20 September to Sunday 21 September 2008 Cost $140

Learn about the design, construction and implementation of earth roof gardens. A site visit to several houses with earth roof gardens will be made during the workshop.

Kidz

Coinciding with the school holidays these four courses, each lasting three days and with a separate theme are packed with fun and creativity. Children will camp or sleep marae style. Parents are welcome to attend as well. Our vision is to create with the children a Kidz Eco Village. Each course has a theme: Earth, Fire, Water and Air, within which the children will have the opportunity to explore independent energy systems, building methods, organic gardening and awareness of our forests.

Fire - Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 January 2008 Cost $125

Water - Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 April 2008 Cost $125

Air - Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 July 2008 Cost $125

Earth - Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 September 2008 Cost $125

For Further Information:
Phone: (03) 528 4751
email: bellaandrich@ts.co.nz
or write to:
Green Horizon Workshops
Bella and Richard Walker
Wainui Bay RD1
Takaka
Golden Bay

eco-fun
courses for children
ages 5-10 years

fire - Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 January 2008

water - Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 April 2008

air - Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 July 2008

earth - Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 September 2008

Coinciding with the school holidays these 4 courses, lasting 3 days each, are packed with FUN and CREATIVITY.
All the activities will be connected in some way to SUSTAINABILITY and our natural environment.
We accept up to 10 children per course, although parents are welcome as well.

Cost per course is $125.00 per child
and $10.00 per adult

Held at our 54 hectare property of hills and native forest in beautiful GOLDEN BAY provides a suitable backdrop for the courses. We Bella and Richard have always lived with alternative energy, we live in an earth house and we have a large organic garden. Bella is a trained Montessori teacher and Richard is a civil engineer. We live on the same property as our son Crian, his partner Deanne and their 4 lovely children Dove, Venus, Lily and Tarn.

Each course has a separate theme which will determine the activities chosen. Children will be involved in a fun and practical way with:

alternative energy
eco-building
organic gardening
our native forest

Throughout these courses, and combined with our program of adult workshops, we intend to create a 'kidz-size' village which will eventually be a showpiece demonstrating sustainable living possibilities.

It will be a valuable experience for children to be able to participate in this project.

For further details please contact

Bella Walker
phone: 03-528 4751
email: bellaandrich@ts.co.nz

GREEN HORIZON WORKHSOPS

EARTHBUILDING WORKSHOP

Pigeon Saddle, Golden Bay

Saturday 1 December to Sunday 2 December 2007

This two day workshop will cover all major aspects of earthbuilding particularly adobe (mudbrick) and cob construction but also wattle and daub and rammed earth.
The workshop will provide essential information for the evaluation of soils and design and construction of earthbuildings and some practical experience working with earthbuilding materials.
A site visit to several earthbuildings will be made during the workshop.

WHEN AND WHERE: 9.00am to 5.30pm, Saturday to Sunday 1 to 2 December 2007
at Pigeon Saddle between Wainui Bay and Totaranui Beach in Golden Bay.

WORKSHOP CO-ORDINATORS: Bella and Richard Walker built an adobe house in Nelson in 1987 and are presently building a new house at Pigeon Saddle with adobe and wattle and daub walls and are designers of earthbuildings. They have held many earthbuilding workshops in the past 20 years. Richard is a consulting professional engineer and prepared the draft for the new New Zealand Standard for Earthbuildings not Requiring Specific Design.

WORKSHOP FEE: $140 per person for the two days.
Hot and cold drinks provided.
Please bring your own lunch.

If you are from outside the Golden Bay area, we can suggest accommodation options.

Please bring literature, photos and slides on earthbuildings to share with other participants.

Please make registration fees payable to Richard and Amabel Walker.

ENROLMENT: The number of participants is limited so please enrol by 21 November 2007.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Phone (03) 528 4751
email: bellaandrich@ts.co.nz
or write to:
Green Horizon Workshops
Richard and Bella Walker
Wainui Bay, RD1
Takaka

GREEN HORIZON WORKSHOPS

ADVANCED ADOBE WORKSHOP

Pigeon Saddle, Golden Bay

Tuesday 12 February to Saturday 16 February 2008

This five day workshop will provide participants with more in depth knowledge of the design and construction of adobe buildings and a good amount of 'hands on' practical experience to give them the techniques and confidence to build their own earthbuilding. Approximately half of the workshop will be on site and soil evaluation and design and half will be building a small adobe building.

Topics will include:
Evaluation of Soils
Site Selection and Evaluation
Passive Solar Energy Design
Structural Design
Weather Protection
Adobe Construction
Building Consent Requirements
NZ Earthbuilding Standards
Construction Details

Some adobe buildings in the Golden Bay area will be visited during the workshop.

WHEN AND WHERE: 9.00am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday, 12 to 16 February 2008 at Pigeon Saddle between Wainui Bay and Totaranui Beach in Golden Bay.

WORKSHOP FEE: $450 per person for the five days.
$30 discount for fees paid before 1 February 2008.
Lunch and hot and cold drinks provided.

If you are from out of the Golden Bay area, we can suggest accommodation options.

Please bring literature, photos and slides on earthbuildings to share with other participants.

Please make registration fees payable to Richard and Amabel Walker.

ENROLMENT: The number of participants is limited so please enrol by 1 February 2008.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Phone (03) 528 4751
email: bellaandrich@ts.co.nz
or write to:
Green Horizon Workshops
Richard and Bella Walker
Wainui Bay, RD1
Takaka

Links

2007-03-09T00:25:00Z

Golden Bay Kayaks

Sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park with Golden Bay Kayaks. Experience Abel Tasman National Park the way it used to be.

By starting from gorgeous Golden Bay in the northern Park area, this allows you to paddle in stunning scenery with uncrowded beaches. Take advantage of our more than 10 years operating experience and our large variety of kayak options available.

Cape Farewell Horse Treks

Horse back riding and trekking in Golden Bay, New Zealand

Solid Earth Adobe Buildings

It is very important to us to contribute to a sustainable management of the earth's resources. As building professionals we therefore choose building materials and methods with the least impacts on the environment and aim to create healthy homes of durability, substance and discernably warm appeal.

Crian & Deanne Fine Woodcraft

Exquisitely crafted native New Zealand timbers. Only storm felled trees used from their property in Golden Bay, bordering the Abel Tasman National Park

Region

2007-03-09T00:13:00Z

TAKAKA HILL (also known as Marble Mountain)

Golden Bay, a hidden paradise with only one road in and out! At 791 metres above sea level it takes approximately 30 minutes to get over the hill. There are many worthwhile stops along the way, Ngarui Caves takes you inside the mountain. Canaan Road at the summit of the hill – 12 kms down this road and then 40 minutes walk from the car park you will arrive at Harwoods Hole – 183 metres deep! The tramping trails here connect with the Inland Track of the Abel Tasman National Park. The Bush-Walkers can be accessed from the Inland Track. Golden Bay is filled with many beautiful places to see and things to do. We have listed below many interesting day trips if you would like to get out and explore while you are here in our little piece of paradise.

WAINUI FALLS

One of the highest waterfalls in our coastal region. The walk to the falls takes about 40 minutes from the Wainui Falls Car Park and follows the river up through native bush forest. About half way there is a swing bridge across the river – one of the many highlights of this beautiful walk. The falls are amazing, roaring through a gap in the rock about 20 metres above the pool below.

ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

Abel Tasman National Park is best known for its beautiful coastline – golden beaches, rugged headlands, coves, sandy estuaries and rocky reefs and islands. The mild climate and high sunshine hours make the park an attractive place to visit at any time of the year. Day visitors can take advantage of the launch services fixed timetable and landing points to walk a section of the Coast Track. The more common forest birds, like tui and bellbirds, can be seen along with pukeko around the estuaries and wetlands. Some people choose to walk the more wild Inland Track through the hilly centre of the Park. The Bush-Walkers is only 10 minutes walk from some parts of the Inland Track.

TOP END OF ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

The Abel Tasman National Park was founded in 1942 and is named after the explorer Abel Tasman. The top end of Abel Tasman National Park has the most beautiful, often totally deserted beaches in the whole of the Abel Tasman National Park. Crystal clear waters, golden sands at Mutton Cove and Anapai Beach, and seals at Separation Point are just some of the beautiful attractions along this amazing trail. The walk takes approximately 5-6 hours. We can drop you off at Totaranui Beach, where the trail begins and you can walk back to The Bush-Walkers via Pigeon Saddle (Map provided).

AWAROA ESTUARY & RIVER

Of the Abel Tasman National Park, Awaroa is the largest and most fascinating of the estuaries and tidal inlets with its mudflats, sandbanks and shallow winding streams. Other attractions are the old steam engine used at the beginning of the century for beech bark processing and the old school site remains.

THE GROVE

Only a short 10 minute walk through limestone formations, crowned with huge Northern Rata trees to a viewing area overlooking Golden Bay. The Grove Scenic Reserve is part of the “Crimson Trail” – called because of the blaze of red Rata flowers at Christmas time.

CAVES

There are many natural caves in the hills surrounding Golden Bay. Many are on private land and only accessible through guided tours and others are on Department of Conservation land which can be accessed by anyone. The underground cave systems are extensive, only experienced and fully equipped cavers should venture beyond natural light. Some caves include Rawhiti Caves, Harwoods Hole, Ngarui Cave (guided only).

TAKAKA

The main township of Golden Bay. About a 40 minute drive from The Bush Walkers, Takaka offers a collection of excellent cafes and restaurants, supermarket, organic shop, banks, retail shops, art galleries and movie theatre.

PUPU SPRINGS (Te Waikoropupu Springs)

Pupu Springs is the largest freshwater springs system in New Zealand and one of Golden Bays best known attractions.

FAREWELL SPIT

Farewell Spit is the longest natural sand bar in the world. It extends 35 km from the western tip of Golden Bay and is approximately 800 metres wide. The Spit has been created from the shifting of sand dunes. The Spit is a vast sanctuary for at least 100 species of seabirds, including migratory species from the tundra of Alaska and Siberia. Public access is permitted at the base of the Spit for approximately 2.5 kms, access beyond this point is only with licensed tour operators.

WHARARIKI

Just a 20 minute walk from the Wharariki Car Park, is one of New Zealands most amazing landscapes. Features are sand dunes, immense sea cliffs and arches. Incredibly wild and rugged!

KAHURANGI NATIONAL PARK

This is one of New Zealands largest National Parks – from the base of Farewell Spit south to Murchison, east from Tapawera to the Heaphy River in the west. The most popular access to the park is from the “Heaphy Track”, which is one of New Zealands great walks. To get to the West Coast takes approximately 5 days and is 78 km. Other access to the Kahurangi National Park from Golden Bay is via Cobb Valley.

COBB VALLEY

A 27 km drive from Upper Takaka. Drive through the Takaka River Gorge and you arrive at the beautiful Cobb Valley. There are many walks in this area, mostly suitable for 2 to 4 day tramps into the Kahurangi National Park, although a visit to the spectacular views of the Cobb Reservoir will take only an afternoons drive.

KAYAKING

One of the most awesome ways to discover the Abel Tasman National Park is by sea kayaking. Kayaks can be either guided by Golden Bay Kayaks from Totaranui Beach or Tata Beach, or you can freedom kayak if you wish. To hire – phone Nigel, Golden Bay Kays on (03) 525 9095.

Welcome to The Bush Walkers

2007-03-08T22:08:00Z

Accommodation for Bush Lovin' Backpackers

Set in the bush clad hills above Totaranui Beach and Wainui Bay and surrounded by the Abel Tasman National Park, accommodation is in cottages of earth with views only eagles could dream of. This is about as close to nature as you could get. Established on 130 acres of private land featuring diverse native forest and outstanding scenery, there are several walks on the property. With the Abel Tasman National Park next door and its many spectacular beaches, The Bush- Walkers offers a perfect base for exploration and enjoyment.

About Us -The Bushwalkers

For us the decision to move onto 130 acres of wild undeveloped land bordering the Abel Tasman National park wasn't a hard one. Deanne lived in Papua New Guinea for 7 years and then her family moved to the Australian Outback, finally ending up in the suburbs for the remainder of her childhood. When she met me she had a strong urge to get back to the wilds where her roots had remained. I too was brought up in the country and have my roots firmly embedded in places where you wake up to birdsong, not road noise, and at night the sky is sprinkled with more jewels than humanity could ever wish for. As for our children, let's just say they've probably had more fun than us!

Year 2002 found us moving onto our property, firstly establishing 2.5km of access road, then a water supply from the propertys stream and a solar panel power system. The first 2 years were spent living in a tent. It took us this time to contemplate whether or not to build a house, however, at the end of the second year we decided to build, maybe it was the cramped conditions or just because the tent became flooded when it rained! But it was a decision not to be regretted!

In late 2004 construction of our earth house was started. They say all good things take time - this was certainly true with the construction of our house. Earth for the walls was used from on-site. Natural non-treated timbers were sourced locally and brought in, and we worked long and hard. It paid off just as our tent became uninhabitable. It was some time after this that the idea came up to establish an accommodation for bush lovin' backpackers. Building out of earth and other natural materials is rather addictive, besides we liked the idea of sharing this beautiful spot with others. In 2006 The Bushwalkers was founded and with time (which by the way travels much slower in paradise!) continues to progress. It's one of our dreams that you will enjoy this neck of the woods as much as we do!

— The first structure we built while living in our tent.

We also run Earth Building Workshops throughout the year. Click here for details.

Please contact us for further details.

Bush-Walker To Do List

2007-03-08T05:45:00Z

Explore the various private walks on the property and the various earth buildings (we often have an earth building project on the go).
Navigate the Abel Tasman National Park next door, perfect beaches await!
Just relax, take in the views and try a kiwi barbeque
Other goodies include glow worms, sunsets, hunting trips, seafood gathering trips, the list goes on….
Your stay will be an experience to remember!

Enjoying our local beach (Totaranui).

Two keen helpers learning about Earth Building.

Hand-Built Houses in Paradise

2007-03-08T05:21:00Z

We are a geniune bush lovin’ family and our aim has been to tread lightly in this beautiful place. Accommodation has been built out of earth from the property and solar panels provide the majority of our power needs. Our shared facilities include a large clean kitchen, dining and living room areas and private outside composting toilet. Basic food supplies can be provided to those people staying at the accommodation or going on to do other walks.

To make a booking enquiry, click here.

— Crian and Deanne enjoying the completion of one of their buildings.

— Voted "Best shower of the year" by many travelers.

Secret Location of the Bushwalkers

2007-03-08T04:40:00Z

Contact

2007-03-08T04:30:00Z

Crian & Deanne

The Bush Walkers
Totaranui Road
Wainui Bay
Golden Bay
New Zealand

Phone: +64 3 528 9962
Email: stay@thebushwalkers.co.nz
Website: www.thebushwalkers.co.nz