New Zealand Tourism Online

New Zealand Hiking & Guided Walks

Hiking New Zealand Introduction

Hiking New Zealand provides guided hiking safaris that combine overnight New Zealand hiking and tramping, with kayaking, caving and camping, to provide an unforgettable outdoor experience.

We have enjoyable walks in New Zealand that venture into remote wilderness areas to see nature at her best, with vibrant rain forests, awesome glaciers, snow-capped mountains, limestone canyons, rugged volcanoes, tranquil lakes and turbulent rivers.

Seek out treasured wildlife such as glowworms in hidden caves, cheeky keas in the mountains, dolphins, seals and penguins on lonely beaches on our New Zealand hiking tours.

They teach bush survival skills and environmental care on their New Zealand hiking experiences, while offering active outdoor adventure in one of the best hiking destinations in the world.

In addition to our five and 10-day hiking safaris we also offer a collection of other tours, our “Great Hikes” and “Expeditions”. These trips combine adventure with comfort. Instead of camping, the Great Hikes tour includes accommodation ranging from mountain huts to bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels.

Discover the real New Zealand with Hiking New Zealand.

New Zealand Hiking Tours

The Far North – This is Hiking New Zealand's shortest and easiest trip. Take a remote forested coastal hike on day one and two near the Bay of Islands, open coast kayaking at Whangaroa, two nights of isolation at the very tip of New Zealand, and driving along 90-mile beach and Te Paki.

Volcanoes and Rainforests – Hike through Jurassic-like podocarp rainforest and follow a river through a beautiful gorge in Whirinaki Forest Park. Kayak across the enchanting Lake Tarawera and soak in thermal streams surrounded by native bush. Hike through a spectacular volcanic wonderland in Tongariro National Park and climbing to the summit of an active volcano.

West Coast Wilderness – Hike through beech forest, past limestone sinkholes and across tussock-covered mountain slopes in Kahurangi National Park. Watch the antics of New Zealand fur-seal pups at a breeding colony. Hike through lush rainforest in a limestone canyon, wade across crystal clear rivers, and exploring glowworm caves in Paparoa National Park.

Great Hikes of New Zealand

Milford Track – Follow an emerald green river through lush beech forest and across pleasant meadows, cross a challenging alpine pass and from its summit, marvel at steep granite cliffs and rugged snow-capped peaks.

Gaze in awe at the world's fifth highest waterfall. Admire the spectacular sea cliffs and streaming waterfalls of Milford Sound, and watch for dolphins and fur seals in its dusky waters.

Abel Tasman – This leisurely holiday includes three days of walking the Coast Track and two “free” days at beachfront lodges to explore, canoe, swim, kick back on the beach, or hike inland to see parts of the park that most visitors miss on their three-day hike. This is the most relaxing way to experience all that the Abel Tasman National Park has to offer, including a scenic cruise along the coastline.

Queen Charlotte – The Queen Charlotte Track, located at the top of the South Island in the Marlborough Sounds is unique for its stunning coastal views, historical landmarks and wonderful variety of native bush and wildlife.

Expeditions

Birding Down Under – Described by many as the best pelagic and island expedition anywhere in the world. If you are a fan of penguins, albatross, island endemics or remote islands, then this is the expedition for you.

South to Antarctica – This Antarctic voyage-includes the Sub Antarctic Islands of New Zealand plus Macquarie Island. The expedition spends eight days in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica with plenty of time ashore to soak in the scenery and the wildlife. Historical places of interest include huts built for the Shackelton and Scott Expeditions to the South Pole.

Sub-Antarctic Islands – Explore the rich and interesting wildlife of New Zealand's Sub Antarctic Islands as this tour visits Cambell Island and the Auckland Islands. Travel with people who have worked these areas for years as they share their knowledge with you.

For further information about our hiking and walks in New Zealand, please contact us or visit our New Zealand hiking Web site.

About New Zealand

The landscape of New Zealand is diverse and dramatic. There are steep mountains, deep lakes, active volcanoes and rugged coasts. The land has been sculpted by glaciers, rivers, wind, sea and bulldozers. The processes of erosion gradually etches their own signatures upon a basic landmass; a landmass slowly emerging from the ocean as a result of continuous turmoil deep within the earth's crust.

Nature and Tourism – the wilderness can be hard on people who venture beyond their ability, but the wilderness is itself fragile to the pressure of expanding humanity. Before people arrived, 80 percent of New Zealand was forested. Today, only 20 percent of our native forest remains.

At present there is discussion between tourism and environmental interests. Although tourist operators make our natural areas more accessible, they also have the potential to over-populate and over-develop them. If this happens then the initial “get away from it all” experience is lost.

Hiking New Zealand plan their trips so that they are as unobtrusive as possible. They do this by travelling in small groups into less busy, off the tourist trail areas, and by trying to leave no trace of our visit.

For further information about our hiking and walks in New Zealand, please contact us or visit our New Zealand hiking Web site.

Entire Site Search