Walking & Hiking

From a garden stroll or forest walk to a coastal hike in Abel Tasman National Park or a multi-day adventure on the Milford Track, the choice of walking experiences is vast.

Incredible scenery, pristine fresh air, space to let your mind unwind from everyday stresses – go beyond the road for a taste of New Zealand’s unique wilderness areas.

Easily accessible

No visit to New Zealand is complete without taking a walk in an unspoilt landscape. There are great opportunities for getting back to nature within minutes of any New Zealand town. A huge variety of short and medium length scenic walks are accessible by road and some short trails even provide access for disabled visitors.

National parks

With more than eight million hectares (11.5% of the country) preserved in the national park system – featuring 12,000 kilometres of walking tracks and 1,000 huts for overnight stays – you’ll need to don a pair of hiking boots to explore the most pristine corners of New Zealand. Trails range from 15-minute scenic walks to demanding multi-day hikes, ice or mountain climbs. Join a guided tour or walk – a good option for visitors less experienced in the outdoors and those wanting to try a more intense trekking experience. Taking the hassle out of organising food and transport, they also offer the advantage of an experienced escort who can explain local features and wildlife. Levels of service vary; with some options you won’t even have to carry a pack!

Walking independently

If you are going independently, take care with planning and seek advice before setting out. Main tracks, such as Whirinaki in the north, and Abel Tasman, Queen Charlotte, Routeburn, Milford and Hollyford in the south, offer accommodation. Less well-known walks may have basic huts for overnight stays. Always seek advice before attempting an overnight walk. You must be equipped with suitable clothing, food and emergency gear. Make sure that the walk is suitable for your fitness level. Food, water and warm clothing should always be carried – the weather can change quickly and even short walks are less enjoyable if you’re cold and hungry! Visit a local Department of Conservation Visitor and Information Centre in the area you intend to walk for assistance.

Great advice

Read the Department of Conservation and Mountain Safety Council websites. www.doc.govt.nz or www.mountainsafety.org.nz

Themed walks

There are interesting walks on offer even in the largest city. For an alternative take on local culture, you’ll find walking tours with some unique themes! In the Waikato town of Cambridge there’s an Equine Statue and Stars Walk of Fame that pays tribute to the many equine and Olympic sporting achievements of this Thoroughbred racehorse capital. In nearby Te Awamutu, call at the information centre to pick up a brochure and take a walking tour of sites relating to Neil and Tim Finn – the musically talented brothers behind Split Enz and Crowded House. For another dose of the arts, wander the renowned Writers' Walks in Christchurch, Dunedin or along the Wellington waterfront. If you’re feeling brave, you could even take a ‘Ghost Walk’. Down in the South Island, Dunedin hosts a couple of tours offering a hair-raising glimpse of the darker side of local history – murder, misdeeds and ghosts – while the Gothic architecture of The Arts Centre is the setting for nighttime ghost tours in Christchurch.