7-Day Bushcraft Course Master river crossings and advanced navigation to hike independently in New Zealand’s backcountry. / Public Courses / Bushcraft & Navigation Courses / 7-Day Bushcraft Course Overview Join us for a comprehensive 7-day bushcraft training course where you’ll acquire essential skills ranging from river crossing techniques to advanced navigation. This course combines elements from our 2-day bushcraft program, our 1-day river crossing training, and our advanced navigation and survival course. Led by our highly skilled local guides and instructors, you’ll learn everything you need to confidently hike in New Zealand’s remote tramping areas. This course is popular among those preparing for overnight trips across alpine passes and for anyone looking to build confidence while exploring the New Zealand backcountry. Additionally, this course is suitable for professional guides and instructors seeking training towards NZOIA Bush 1 or Bush 2 accreditation. Course Details Course Location This course is delivered in Craigieburn Forest Park & Arthur’s Pass National Park. Having flexibility in course location ensures you will get the most out of your time with us. Days 1 & 2: Craigieburn Forest Park Days 3 – 7: Arthur’s Pass National Park Accommodation **All your accommodation is included in this bush course** Craigieburn Forest Camp Out (Day 1) The first night of our course includes a campout in the Craigieburn Forest Park. We use this time to cover basic bushcraft skills in choosing a campsite, accessing water etc. Arthur’s Pass Lodge (Days 2-5) The second through to the fifth night of our accommodation will be staying at our Lodge in Arthur’s Pass Village. The lodge has bunk beds set up across three bedrooms and can sleep up to 20 people. It has a kitchen stocked with utensils, cookware, a fridge, and ovens. You’ll also be treated to power, bathroom facilities, hot showers and heating. All you need to bring is your sleeping bag, pillow. Survival Shelters/Tent (Days 6-7) Our last night is spent in survival shelters you build in the bush. Summary 1st night – Wild camping (Craigieburn Forest Park) 2nd night – Arthur’s Pass lodge 3rd night – Arthur’s Pass lodge 4th night – Arthur’s Pass lodge 5th night – Arthur’s Pass lodge 6th night – Wild camping (Arthur’s Pass National Park) Food Food is not provided on this course. We recommend packing plenty of snacks and meals for the duration of the course. The lodge has a full kitchen & fridge that you are welcome to use while we are there. Free Transport from Christchurch If You’re Travelling From Out Of Town: Free transport is available from Christchurch for those travelling to attend our courses. Check our FAQ’s for a list of hotel pickup locations. We recommend that you arrive in Christchurch the day before your course. At the end of the course, we are more than happy to drop you back at your accommodation or directly to the airport. The earliest time we can have you back at the airport is 6 pm. Meeting locations (catch a ride with us): If you are bringing your car and want a lift, please meet us at one of the following locations: Yaldhurst McDonald’s 8:00 am (see on Google Maps) *Darfield Bakery 8:30 am (see on Google Maps) Castle Hill Village 9:20 am (see on Google Maps) *Our preferred meeting location is Darfield Bakery. OENZ Vans Gear & Equipment Please bring along your standard tramping kit, compass, food and a tent for our campout. If you don’t have everything you need, we can hire you some equipment to help set you up for the 7 days. For those travelling by plane, we are happy to organise gas canisters for your overnight camp out. Gear List Tramping Boot Guide Is this the right bushcraft course for me? OENZ Bushcraft Courses Flow Chart Download Flow Chart Course Outline Master the essential skills for independent wilderness travel in New Zealand on this immersive 7-day bushcraft course, combining expert instruction in river crossings, advanced navigation, and backcountry survival. Day 1: Packing, On-Track Navigation & Camping Clothing & Equipment Selection Packs Boots Walking poles Personal clothing Using a GPS/Smartphone GPS Reading Topographic maps (NZ topo50) Colours and symbols Scale and distance Orienting a map using features 6-figure grid references Interpreting Contour Features Ridges Spurs Gullies Valleys Saddles Highpoints Camping Skills Selecting a suitable campsite Field weather observations and predictions Day 2: Off-Track Navigation, Compass & Map Using a Compass Finding North Orienting a map with a compass Follow a compass bearing Field: map bearings Map: field bearings Taking resections/triangulations Downslope bearings Cross slope bearings Field: field bearings Refining compass technique Emergency Communications In-reach Spot Mountain radio PLB Day 3: River Crossing Training River Crossing Hazards River characteristics River crossing principles Decision making River crossing methods Recovery Day 4: Trip Planning, Advanced Navigation & Steep Terrain Weather Education Synoptic charts Finding reliable forecasts in NZ Reading synoptic charts Using metadata charts Free air Freezing Level (FAFL) Global weather effects in NZ Understanding weather systems High pressure Low Pressure Orographic lifting Convection heating Frontal systems Cold front Warm fronts Occluded fronts Stationary fronts Field observations Reading clouds Wind direction Advanced Walking Techniques in Steep Terrain Crossing steep scree Poles for bracing Foot placements and techniques for steep or slippery terrain Handlines Scree – traversing, ascending/descending Day 5: Emergency Shelters, Fire Lighting & Scree Travel Camping Skills & Survival Skills Selecting a suitable campsite Pitching tents Building a natural survival shelter Fire lighting in adverse conditions Advanced Walking Techniques in Steep Terrain Crossing steep scree Poles for bracing Foot placements and techniques for steep or slippery terrain Handlines Scree – traversing, ascending/descending Survival Skills Building a natural survival shelter Field weather observations and predictions Fire lighting in adverse conditions Day 6 & 7: Group-Led Trip Planning, Navigation & Campout Group-led: Weather forecasting Trip and route planning Navigation Walking techniques Stream/river crossings Hand lines Weather observations Emergency shelter building Fire lighting (if conditions allow) Download Course Outline Meet Some of Our Bushcraft Instructors Alan Haslip Sarah English Lachie Crawford Jake Harris Frequently Asked Questions Do I need prior experience to attend this course? You don’t need any prior experience to enrol in this course. It is specifically designed to cover all the essential knowledge and skills you will need to succeed in New Zealand’s backcountry. This course includes a wide range of topics, ensuring that every participant can follow along and build a solid foundation of bushcraft skills & knowledge. How many people will be on my course? We believe that small groups are better for this type of training. So we have a maximum client-to-instructor ratio of just eight clients to one instructor. Do I need a tent? We camp out on the first and last nights, but you can hire a tent & all the gear for any of our courses directly from us if you don’t have it. Just let us know before your course what you need, and our instructors will bring it along to the course for you. Other options are to bring along a bivvy bag or fly/tarp shelter to sleep in. Gear List Tramping Boot Guide What type of boots do I need? You will need good waterproof boots that have ankle support. Trail shoes are not appropriate for this advanced bushcraft course. Click here to download our tramping boot guide. Do I need to bring spare hiking boots for my extended course in case they get wet? No, we have boot dryers available from the end of day two throughout the extended bushcraft course. We know how tricky it can be to keep boots dry when we’re out training, so at the end of each day, we pop our boots on the boot dryers, so they’re ready to go for the next day. Can I hire boots for my bushcraft course? OENZ does not have boots available to hire or borrow. Boot hire is available from several outdoor stores in Auckland and Dunedin. If you are hiring or borrowing boots, please get waterproof leather boots. What is the terrain like? The first two days are held mainly in open tussock terrain with patches of beech forest for walking in. A mixture of off-track and on-track navigation takes place here. Once we get into days 4-7, the terrain gets steeper, mixed with scree, tussock, compact ground and varying visibility. What is the minimum age? 16 years old or 14-15 years old if accompanied by an adult. 3-day bushcraft & river crossing course photos Customer Reviews “The instructor was really approachable which made a huge difference for me being able to independently clarify different learning points. -Thanks heaps, see you on the next course!” Cilla, Christchurch, NZ “Finished our course yesterday and just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed it. Sarah [the instructor] was AMAZING. We will be looking for more courses to do with you guys for sure!” Di & Peter, Wanaka, NZ “I did the 7-day bushcraft course with OENZ, and it was fantastic. A very comprehensive week on how to operate confidently and independently in the NZ outdoors. Our instructor, Sarah, was passionate, knowledgeable, and patient which made the week a delight, even when we were pushed to our limits (in a good way!)” Lucy, New Zealand “This course EXCEEDED expectations!!!” Sally Bishop, Gisborne, New Zealand “I recently completed a 7-day Navigation & Bushcraft course to instil more confidence in myself for NZ’s backcountry tramps and river crossings. The course was so enjoyable with the experience of both Jake and Sarah (my instructors) who shared their passion and knowledge in compass navigation, river crossing techniques, emergency shelter building, fire starting and scree crossing. It was so much more fun being outdoors learning and enhancing your skills to a level of confidence gained from OENZ. The other course participants were so friendly and happy making for a great experience all round. I highly recommend anybody looking to do the Te Araroa or backcountry tramping to contact OENZ to gain skills & confidence.” Dave Smith Still Have Questions? Get in touch with our team — we’re happy to help you prepare for your outdoor adventure. Contact Us
