Dame Susan Devoy to launch ECHO Walking Festival
Wednesday 21 March 2012, 12:52PM
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This year’s Kaimai to Coromandel ECHO Walking Festival will be launched on April 10th with a family-friendly walk at Otanewainuku Forest near Tauranga. The not-for-profit festival is a great activity idea for the Easter School Holidays. Dame Susan Devoy is launching the festival and is inviting people of all ages to get fit while enjoying free guided walks on public conservation land:
“We are lucky to have so many walks on offer in our region and this is a great chance to get fit, socialise, explore our region and have fun”, says Susan.
People are encouraged to register now for the guided walks on the festival website, www.echowalkfest.org.nz.
“Everyone will find something in the programme to suit them”, says festival committee member and DOC Ranger Pete Huggins. “We’d like to thank all our supporters this year, especially Susan for agreeing to launch our festival, plus local authorities and town promoters, Sport Waikato and the Department of Conservation, and our volunteer guides. Bringing the festival to life is a team effort. You can join the team by coming along on one of our great walks”.
Featuring 30 different walks in the Kaimai and Coromandel areas, ECHO is in its ninth year offering unique activities including a train trip from Waihi (Waihi Express, April 13th), guided tours of historic sites (Waiorongomai Rails and Trails, April 17th), a children’s night-time adventure in Karangahake (Mining Days, April 21st) and for the first time a walk just for dogs and their owners (Tide’s out, April 22nd).