Heaphy - do we absolutely have to camp at the huts/camps?

[Trundlers]

We are doing the Heaphy later this year and I am wondering if we have to camp at the huts/campsites? As in, can we bush camp at all? We have booked the campsites but are wondering about alternative camps.

Huts/designated camps aren't my favourite places, so was hoping we could try and camp in places that we preferred

I will add that we are very much 'Leave no Trace' campers/bush walkers.

cheers

Trundlers

[wayno]

On a great walk you have to use the huts or designated camp sites . And you have to book them if it states you have to book for the dates you want. If you are camping outside the campsites you have to camp at least 500m away from the track. If you aren’t booked you can’t cook at the huts either. Great walks cost a lot of money to maintain there’s a reason why they don’t want freeloaders camping on the great walks. Big problems in NZ with people not paying but fees

[Trundlers]

Thanks Wayno. We have booked the camps for the dates we are walking, so will roll with that. We are fine not using huts (we didn't book them because huts aren't our thing).

cheers

Trundlers