Walking & Hiking in New Zealand

Campervan journeys and walking and hiking in New Zealand couldn't be better matched. With spectacular scenery and beautiful bush extending as far as the eye can see, walking shoes should definitely make it to the top of your list of things to bring.

Every year, hundreds of kiwis head into the wilderness and surround themselves with wonderful plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. Home to giant wetas, tree ferns, unusual waterfalls, kauri trees, natural geothermal springs and unseen species of flora and fauna, New Zealand bush offers you something special. Whether you like awe-inspiring beaches or, Cicada's chirping alongside native birds singing, walking in New Zealand will definitely make you smile.

For us to help you see New Zealand like a local, we need to point you in the right direction. So, we have compiled a list of walks below which, fingers crossed, will help you plan your motorhome adventures among luscious bush, barren mountains and rugged coastlines.

North Island walks

Lake Waikaremoana Kahikatea Walk-Model Dam Cathedral Cove
Te Urewera Coromandel Coromandel
46km 1km
1km
3-4 days 20 mins 30 mins
Easy-moderate Easy Easy

White Pine Bush Reserve Kerosene Creek The Pinnacles
Napier Rotorua Coromandel
1.5km 200m 10km
30 mins 10 mins 5-7 hours
Very easy Very easy Moderate-hard

Whale Bay
Castle Point Huka Falls
Northland Wairarapa Taupo
1km 3.4 km 1km
30 mins 1 hour 30 mins 30 mins
Easy Moderate Easy

Whirinaki Forest Tramp
Tongariro Crossing Tutukaka Coastal walk
Rotorua Turangi Northland
11km 18.5km 4km
3 hour 30 mins 6 hours 1 hour
Easy Moderate-hard
Easy

South Island walks


Cape Foulwind	Kepler Track	Franz Josef/Fox Glacier
Buller	Te Anau	West Coast
4km	60km	1km-20km
1 hour 30 mins	3 days	20 mins-8 hours
Easy	Moderate	Easy-hard

Heaphy Track	Lake Matheson	Maruia Falls
Nelson	Aoraki	Murchison
78.4km	4km	200m
4 - 6 days	1 hour 30 mins	10 mins
Easy-moderate	Easy	Easy

Sharplin falls	Milford Track	Routeburn Track
Mt Somers	Fiordland	Fiordland
3km	53.5km	32km
1 hour 30 mins	4 days	3 days
Easy	Moderate	Easy

Punakaiki	Abel Tasman Coastal Walk	Devil's Punchbowl
West Coast	Abel Tasman	Arthurs Pass
2km	15.7km	2km
1 hour	5 hour 30 mins	1 hour
Very easy	Easy-moderate	Easy-moderate

Keeping safe

Our unpredictable climate can quickly turn from scorching heat to torrential rain and plummeting temperatures which makes any adventure a challenge. Make sure you think about this before you arrive and pack your bags accordingly.

You should approach all natural areas with a certain degree of caution - chances are they will be slippery or uneven. Always check for local information and prepare for changeable conditions. Take care not to trample sensitive areas such as moss-covered rock or sand dune vegetation and restrain yourself from driving the campervan after a long hike - you will be tired.

Always tell someone where you are going and sign the intentions book. Make sure you stick to the main tracks and don't use old maps - we want to see you again!

Some essential items to take walking are:

Sturdy but comfortable shoes or boots
Good quality, fairly thick, cotton or wool hiking socks
Woollen jumper or polypro in the winter and lightweight clothing in the summer
Light raincoat
Swimming togs (or, swim suit for the English) if you are planning to pass waterfalls or swimming holes
Hat for protection against the sun
SPF 30+ sunscreen - the hole in the ozone is no joke
First aid kit
Insect repellent
Tasty snacks and lots of water
Some kind of recording device so the memories last forever!

Please note; on some walks you may also need to take additional gear such as a flashlight and survival blanket.

National Parks

If it wasn't for the Department of Conservation and its wonderful volunteers, the great outdoors wouldn't be as accessible or as beautiful as it is today. Nearly one third of our populated land is protected by the Department of Conservation.

There are 14 national parks, hundreds of native animals and more than five million hectares of land cared for in forest parks and reserves. All the parks embody an incredible variety of landscape and vegetation for such a small country. The far north boasts subtropical rainforest and magnificent kauri trees, while the central North Island has dense conifer forest, fast flowing rivers and volcanic landforms.

The northern part of the South Island shares its many historic trails over bush-clad mountains, alongside alpine herb fields, glistening lakes, and hot springs. Deep in the south you will find barren tussock lands, rock formations, gold mining sites, snow covered slopes in winter and plentiful beech forests both inland and on the coast.

The beauty of a campervan holiday is that you can experience it all - at your own leisure. There are places to camp next to the entrance of many walks and hikes and the government have set aside camping areas on conservation land for you to do so. If you plan to go on longer hikes, make sure you book huts in advance as walking is popular among the locals.

Guided walking

Guided walking lets you experience a track with a trained guide who has an intimate knowledge of the walking track, the region, history and wildlife. The guiding company will look after you - operators provide all meals and they will arrange accommodation for you if need be.