12 Great New Zealand Walks

View from Abel Tasman Track
New Zealand
Great New Zealand Walks

TRAMPING/HIKING
Many people call it hiking, but kiwis call it tramping.  That is, any walk longer than one day, especially if it’s over a mountain pass or through the bush.  It usually involves carrying a back-pack (ruck-sack), though on the more popular tramping routes (e.g. Milford Track) you can sign up for guided tours where you only need to carry your belongings plus your food for the day (instead of for the whole trip).  You need a reasonable level of fitness to undertake some of these walks, but the sheer beauty of the landscape and the awe-inspiring silence will make this effort an experience of a life-time.  Obviously, the easier the walk, the more people will walk it, so bear this in mind when you’re deciding where to go.  New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) provides basic huts on all tracks, usually 5-6 hours walk apart.  There is a minimal charge to stay at these huts, usually paid via vouchers purchased in advance online or at DOC offices.  Tracks such as Abel Tasman are very busy during the summer, and accommodation must be booked at DOC in advance.

Great New Zealand Walks:

Lake Waikaremoana Track
3 - 4 days
46 km
Grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required

Tongariro Nothern Circuit
3-4 days
Grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required
Nearest town

Queen Charlotte Track
3-5 days
71 km
Grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required
Nearest town

Abel Tasman Track
3-5 days
54km
Grade: Easy, some level of fitness required
Nearest town

Heaphy Track
4-6 days
78km
Grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required
Nearest town

Bank Peninsula Walk
Grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required
A four day, 35km walk around the coast of Banks Peninsula staying in huts/cottages with kitchen & hot shower. Take or hire a sleeping bag, $200/230 p.p. ( $135/150 p.p. 2 days).
Nearest town

Hollyford Track
4 days
56km
grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required
Nearest town

Milford Track
4 days
54 km
Grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required
Nearest town

Routeburn Track
3 days  
32 km
Grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required
Nearest town

Kepler Track
3-4 days
60km
Grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required
Nearest town

Hump Ridge Track
3 days
53 km
Grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required
Nearest town

Rakiura Track
3 days
36 km
grade: Moderate, good level of fitness required

 

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Heaphy Track, looking down on Scotts Beach

 


Tongariro National Park