Tramping track marker 'Bannister Basin'

This is an example of an improvised and hand made marker that identified Bannister Basin, a tramping destination in the Tararua Forest Park.

The Tararua Forest Parkwasimportant for the development of club tramping in NewZealand. The country's first tramping club, formed in 1919,was named after the ranges that are a major feature of the park. Bannister Basin is located near Mt Dundas in the northern part of the ranges.

Markers like this arecritical for trampers who often had to find their way through dense bush, especially more remote routes or those across difficult terrain, which may not bekept clear through frequent use. Today, the Department of Conservation is responsible for track signs inareas it administers.