Tramping and Hiking in New Zealand
Why Hiking and Tramping in New Zealand Is So Popular
G’day, Dianne here. Most folk who visit New Zealand want to do some hiking, walking, or, as the Kiwis call it, tramping. Below I’ve written about some of the more popular areas of the country to enjoy fresh air and scenery when tramping and hiking in New Zealand.
Most travellers head to New Zealand for one main reason: the Great Outdoors. The mountains, beaches, rainforests, glaciers, fjords, plains, cliffs, and forests are what make New Zealand beautiful.
Tramping, which New Zealanders use for hiking, walking, and backpacking, is basically the unofficial national pastime. Every Kiwi has their favourite tramps, and every town has trails of every shape and size. Even in the cities you’ll find little nature walks leading off into the bush somewhere.
Do You Need To Do a Multi-Day Great Walk?
You’ve probably heard of the Great Walks. They’re multi-day hikes located in some of the most stunning parts of the country. You may feel intimidated by these, especially if you don’t have the fitness level, gear, or desire to spend several days on a trail. The good news is that multi-day tramping isn’t the only way to see New Zealand.
Many Great Walks can be broken into short sections for single day or half-day hikes. And as mentioned earlier, there are trails and short walks everywhere you go. No matter your age, fitness level, or comfort with the outdoors, there is a hike to suit you.
Below are a few of our favourite day-hike friendly spots.
Best Places for Day Hikes and Short Walks in New Zealand
Abel Tasman Coast Track
Located northwest of Nelson on the South Island, Abel Tasman National Park is home to one of New Zealand’s Great Walks — the Abel Tasman Coast Track. This hike is one of the least challenging as far as Great Walks go, because the trail is mostly flat, following beaches and bays near sea level.
Abel Tasman National Park is home to one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of the least challenging of the Great Walks because the trail is mostly flat, following beaches and bays near sea level.
You don’t need to commit to the full five-day hike to enjoy it. Take a water taxi to join the trail halfway, walk for a few hours, then catch another water taxi out. You can also mix your hike with swimming, kayaking, or a boat cruise.
If you want more time in the park without the full multi-day tramp, you can stay in lodges as part of a guided experience.
Milford Track and Routeburn Track
Located outside Queenstown in Fiordland National Park, these two tracks offer dramatic mountain vistas, lots of elevation change, and some of the most postcard-worthy scenery in the country. Both are typically multi-day tramps, but each has sections that can be completed as day walks.
Both hikes require a guide and special transport for day-hikers. Milford Track is the more famous of the two, but it only allows a limited number of hikers per day, which means booking almost a year in advance. Also, the first part of Milford Track, where day hikers go, isn’t the most scenic section.
Routeburn Track is less touristed and more flexible. Its day-hike sections offer prettier scenery than Milford for less effort. Stay overnight in Queenstown for Routeburn or Milford. If you only want Milford, staying in Te Anau or Milford Sound works best.
If you want to enjoy the best parts of Milford without committing to the entire multi-day tramp, we can also arrange a guided half-day section of the Milford Track combined with an overnight cruise on Milford Sound. It’s a great way to experience the walk, then relax on the water with scenery that most people only see for an hour on a day trip.
Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler Day Hikes from Te Anau
If you’d like to experience several of the famous Great Walks in one trip without committing to a full multi-day tramp, there’s a useful three-day option based out of Te Anau. It includes guided day hikes on the Milford Track, the Routeburn Track, and the Kepler Track. Lunch is provided each day, and the best part is returning to the same base in Te Anau every night. No hauling packs or moving your luggage. Just great scenery during the day and a comfortable room to come home to.
If you’re keen on trying this combination, we can book the guided hikes and accommodation for you as part of your itinerary so everything lines up smoothly.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Crossing is often called the best one-day hike in the world. It covers 19.4 km (12 miles) of alpine terrain, active volcanic craters, wide valleys, and turquoise geothermal lakes in the centre of New Zealand’s North Island. You’ll need at least a moderate level of fitness to complete this one. It takes anywhere from five to nine hours depending on your pace. We always tell people to go slowly and enjoy the scenery.
We highly recommend hiring a guide, especially if there’s any chance of freezing temperatures. Summertime is generally the safest time to avoid ice or snow at higher altitudes, which means travelling between December and February. Even in summer, a guide can help you access areas you wouldn’t see on your own and explain the flora, fauna, and cultural history of the area.
Don’t let the length of the Tongariro Crossing put you off. The scenery is worth every step, and you’ll have plenty of time to stop and rest along the trail. Most travellers stay in National Park Village or Whakapapa Village so they’re close to the main shuttle departures. The track isn’t a loop, so make sure you have transport booked for the end of the trail.
Queen Charlotte Track
We believe this track is a true hidden gem. It’s not as well known as the others on this list, which is part of its charm.
If you’d like to try a multi-day hike but aren’t excited about camping every night, the Queen Charlotte is a great option. It’s the only multi-day hike in New Zealand where you can walk for several days and stay in comfortable lodges or B&Bs along the way.
The Queen Charlotte Track also mixes well with other activities. You can walk part of it, mountain bike sections of it, or add kayaking since the track follows a ridgeline above the Marlborough Sounds. Most people send their bags ahead on a water taxi and hike with just a day pack.
You can also do part of the Queen Charlotte as a day hike. Stay overnight in Blenheim, Picton, or at one of the waterfront lodges along the track. Like the Abel Tasman, you can take a water taxi in and out, choosing whichever section suits your fitness and timing. Many travellers enjoy combining a day hike with wine tasting in Blenheim or a cruise on the Marlborough Sounds for a well-rounded day out.
Other Tramping and Hiking Suggestions in New Zealand
Not headed to any of the places above but still want to fit in some tramping? No worries, mate. Just ask around wherever you are and you’ll usually get anywhere from five to twenty suggestions from locals on their favourite nearby tracks.
Some of our other favourites include the Heaphy Track, Tongariro Northern Circuit, Mount Cook day walks, and Stewart Island. There are tramping tracks everywhere in New Zealand, no matter where your travels take you.
After all that walking, make time to visit a few New Zealand vineyards or unwind at a luxury lodge. It’s the perfect way to balance your time outdoors.
Tips for Hiking and Tramping in New Zealand
A few important safety tips that locals follow and visitors should too:
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Always let someone know where you’ll be and what time you expect to return. This could be your hotel reception, the local police station, or even the nearest service station. Just make sure the person you tell will still be on shift when you stop back in to let them know you are safe.
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Leave a note on the front seat of your hire car stating which track you’re walking, the time you left, who is hiking, and your emergency contact details. Rangers often check parked cars, and this helps them if something doesn’t look right.
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Bring enough water, food, and warm clothing. Weather can change quickly, and it’s always better to assume you might get stuck overnight and be prepared.
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Ensure you have enough cell phone battery and bring a power bank if you need to. Coverage can be patchy in the bush, so don’t rely on having a signal.
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Lock everything away by either leaving it in your hotel safe or storing it in the boot (trunk) of your car. Out of sight, out of mind. Bring your valuables with you.
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New Zealand weather can change in a blink of an eye. Wear appropriate clothing at all times and be ready for conditions to shift without warning.
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Bring bug spray in case of sandflies. They love riverbanks, forest areas, and coastal trails.
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Always cover up from the sun, even on overcast days. The ozone layer over New Zealand is weak, and you will burn quickly without protection.
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Fuel up your hire car before you hike. Don’t assume there will be a service station open when you finish. Many rural stations close early, and you don’t want to be stranded with an empty tank.
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Always leave places better than you found them. Bring your rubbish out with you and pick up any stray bits you see along the way.
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Clean your shoes, hiking poles, and gear when moving between areas, and again before you fly. New Zealand takes biodiversity seriously, and cleaning your gear helps protect native plants and fragile ecosystems.
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Pop into the local i-SITE in the nearest town. They can give you a map, let you know the current track conditions, and answer any local questions before you head out.
Ready to explore New Zealand’s great outdoors the right way? I’ll help you choose the best tracks for your fitness, timing, and comfort level, and build an itinerary that actually works in real life, not just on paper. Once you’re ready, the next step is securing your planning retainer and then I’ll start shaping everything around you.