Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island, NZ
About NZ walks
New Zealand has an extraordinary variety of walks, from coastal tracks and native forests to alpine passes and remote wilderness. These are some of my favourite walks and multi-day journeys around the country.
NZ Great Walks
Abel Tasman
A stunning 60km coastal track.
Duration: 3-5 days
Distance: 60 km
Location: Abel Tasman National Park, north-west South Island
Closest towns: Nelson, Motueka, Takaka
Start/Finish: This is a one-way walk between Marahau and Totaranui or Wainui. Both ends are serviced by public transport and water taxis stop at the main beaches.
Heaphy Track
A wild 75km mountain walk.
Duration: 4-6 days
Distance: 78.4 km
Location: Kahurangi National Park, north-west South Island
Closest towns: Nelson, Westport, Collingwood
Start/Finish: This is a one-way walk between Brown Hut in Golden Bay and Kohaihai on the West Coast. Air and shuttle services, and vehicle relocations are available for both ends.
Humpridge Track
A 62km beach to mountain track.
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 62 km
Location: Tuatapere South Island
Closest town: Invercargill (20 min flight) or Bluff (1 hour ferry)
Start/Finish: 3-day loop over sub-alpine tops and around rugged coastline in southern Fiordland
Kepler Track
An epic 60km alpine Circuit.
Duration: 3-4 days
Distance: 60 km
Location: Fiordland National Park, south-west South Island
Closest towns: Queenstown and Te Anau
Start/Finish: This circuit walk starts and ends close to Te Anau.
Milford Track
World-renowned 55km walk.
Duration: 4 days
Distance: 53.5 km
Location: Fiordland National Park, south-west South Island
Closest towns: Te Anau and Queenstown
Start/Finish: This is a one-way walk from the head of Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound.
Rakiura Track
A 32km island escape.
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 32 km
Location: Stewart Island/Rakiura
Closest town: Invercargill (20 min flight) or Bluff (1 hour ferry)
Start/Finish: This circuit walk starts and ends near the main township of Halfmoon Bay.
Routeburn Track
A 32km alpine adventure.
Duration: 2-4 days
Distance: 32 km
Location: Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, south-west South Island
Closest towns: Queenstown, Te Anau
Start/Finish: This is a one-way walk between the Routeburn Shelter near Queenstown and the Divide Shelter near Te Anau. Shuttles and vehicle relocations are available between both ends.
Tongariro
A 20km volcanic trek.
Duration: 1 day
Distance: 20 km
Location: Tongariro National Park, central North Island
Closest towns: National Park Village, Turangi, Ohakune, Waiouru
Start/Finish: This circuit walk starts and ends in Whakapapa Village.
Whanganui Track
Mountain to Sea
Duration: 3-5 days
Distance: 87 or 145 km
Location: Whanganui National Park, south-west North Island
Closest towns: Whanganui, Taumarunui, Ohakune
Start/ Finish: This river trip starts in Taumarunui or Whakahoro and ends in Pipiriki.
Waikaremoana Track
A 43km walk through rainforest.
Duration: 3-4 days
Distance: 46 km
Location: Te Urewera, east North Island
Closest towns: Wairoa, Gisborne, Rotorua
Start/Finish: This is one-way walk between Onepoto and Hopuruahine. Both ends are accessed by water taxi from Aniwaniwa.