DOC postpones online bookings date again

The release of online bookings for the Great Walks has been postponed yet again. It was expected the Department of Conservation would be naming the date for the launch of tickets for the 2023/24 season yesterday, but it has now announced it needs more time to work on its beleaguered booking system. Just two weeks ago DOC said it was making ‘‘good progress’’ to avoid a repeat of its booking system meltdown. When bookings for the Milford Track opened last month, hundreds of trampers were left frustrated after not being able to access the booking system or having it crash midway through. At its peak 10,000 people were logged onto the system trying to book one of about 7400 spots on the track this season. DOC then postponed the release of tickets for the Kepler Track, Abel Tasman Coast Track, Rakiura Track and Whanganui Journey, as well as the Routeburn Track, Paparoa Track and Tongariro Northern Circuit. Yesterday, DOC announced it was going to take more time to ensure the system will cope with demand. Director of heritage and visitors Cat Wilson said bookings would not go live until the system fixes had been signed off. Wilson said DOC would give a new update on June 14 on its progress, with bookings likely to open in July.