The Department of Conservation (DOC) has delayed announcing its new Great Walks booking dates, pushing back their opening until most likely July.

Last month, DOC's booking website crashed for several hours when 10,000 people tried to book the Milford Track at once.

The department abandoned plans to open most of the Great Walks for bookings the following week, citing ongoing technology issues.

Instead it said the new bookings dates were meant to be announced Wednesday, 31 May, with plans to open bookings in mid-June.

DOC declined to comment on Tuesday on whether they were on track to make that announcement, but had details on their website that confirmed its plan.

On Wednesday morning the website was updated, saying the booking opening dates would be confirmed on 14 June.

In a statement, DOC heritage and visitors director Cat Wilson said independent testing results were expected in the second week of June which would help to inform the best dates to open bookings.

"We are taking the time to do further testing to give us extra assurance ahead of the Great Walks bookings openings. We will provide another update to the public on 14 June. Bookings are likely to be open in July."

She confirmed bookings for the remaining seasonal Great Walks would not go live until the booking system fixes had been signed off.

"DOC chose the existing system for its ability to handle flexible itineraries where users can choose the length of their trips and which facilities they stay in.

"Last season the system worked well, and that is what we want to see happen every year."

Reproduced with permission