But historically, it is also the time when twice the number of tramping injuries and search and rescue operations occur, compared with regular weekends.
So Otago and Southland residents are being urged to be well prepared when exploring the South this weekend.
The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC) and the Department of Conservation (Doc) said the Easter long weekend, combined with the school holidays, was typically treated as the end of the summer tramping season and as one of the last chances to get out before the cold weather set in.
MSC chief executive Mike Daisley said it made it the third-busiest public holiday weekend of the year for tramping injuries and search and rescue operations.
He said the change in season was here and trampers needed to be prepared for more wintry conditions and to ensure they were not caught out in the dark.
Dunedin LandSAR chairman Ben Mulvey said it was important to have a "Plan B" if the weather was not suitable for going into the back country.
"The general consideration is to check the forecast and be prepared to change your plans.
"Some people check the forecast and it’s not what they expected it to be, but they’re not prepared to change their plans because they’re hell-bent on going, no matter what."
He said it was also important for people to take extra food, clothing and equipment, just in case something happened and they get stuck out there for an extra day or longer.
Having primary, secondary and emergency forms of navigation and communication was also very important.
"Telling someone your destination, route and schedule is also another main one."
Mr Daisley said the Plan My Walk app could help experienced and beginner trampers find the right track for their abilities and check for any track alerts issued by Doc and MetService weather warnings, and had a suggested gear list which could be sent to group members, and emergency contacts.
Gillespie Pass in Otago is a popular Instagram hotspots. But Mr Daisley told RNZ it was far more challenging that people realised and has multiple river crossings.
"The track is really hard. It's less of a track, more of a picking your way through rocks alongside riverbanks.
"But the views from the top are epic and that's what people are after. So that's certainly one spot that we can see some real tragedies in that particular location."
Multiple fatalities have occurred in rivers on the Gillespie Pass track.
Doc visitor safety manager Andy Roberts said New Zealand’s weather could change rapidly at any time of year, so it was important to check the weather right up until departure, and be prepared for any changes.
"Once you’re out there, stick together, and if the weather turns bad or the going is too hard, be prepared to turn back.
"It’s up to you to make sound judgements for your safety and the safety of those you are with."
- additional reporting RNZ
