New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand's dramatic landscapes are among the world's most breathtaking. Explore lush native forests, golden beaches and stunning scenery on foot - spotting whales, seals and dolphins along the way. With Auswalk's self-guided walks, you'll experience it all, pack-free and in comfort.

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Tips, tricks, and trail insights - everything you need to know about multi-day walks in New Zealand.

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Destinations in New Zealand

5 destinations to explore

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Crystal-clear emerald river winding through native New Zealand rainforest on the Abel Tasman walking trail
New Zealand

Abel Tasman

View 4 Walks
Bay of Islands
New Zealand

Bay of Islands

View 1 Walk
Amazing,Natural,Landscapes,In,Milford,Sound,,Fiordland,National,Park,,New
New Zealand

Fiordland

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Queen Charlotte Track
New Zealand

Queen Charlotte Track

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Mt cook hiker
New Zealand

South Island

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All Walks in New Zealand

15 walks available

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New Luxmore Helipad for Kepler Helihike
Self-Guided

Fiordland’s Great Walks: Milford, Routeburn & Kepler - 7 Days

Duration7 days
Walking Grade
2
From$3,695
View Walk
Fiordland Discovery_Fiordland Jewel Milford Sound (1)
Self-Guided

Fiordland’s Great Walks: Milford, Routeburn & Kepler - 6 Days

Duration6 days
Walking Grade
2
From$2,795
View Walk
routeburn key summit
Self-Guided

Fiordland’s Great Walks: Milford, Routeburn & Kepler - 5 Days

Duration5 days
Walking Grade
3
From$2,395
View Walk
Ultimate South Island Hikes - 14 Days
Group-Guided

Ultimate South Island Hikes - 14 Days

Duration14 days
Walking Grade
4
From$8,995
View Walk
queen charlotte sound map
Group-Guided

Queen Charlotte Track: End to End - 6 Days

Duration6 days
Walking Grade
5
From$3,195
View Walk
Queen Charlotte Track Views
Self-Guided

Abel Tasman Walk & Queen Charlotte Track: End to End - 11 Days

Duration11 days
Walking Grade
4
From$5,340
View Walk

New Zealand reviews

Loved by walkers

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More About This Region

  • Excellent accommodation in national parkland and/or overlooking the sea
  • Most meals including sumptuous multi course dinners on some walks
  • Walk - and sometimes water - transfers
  • All luggage transport so you can walk pack-free
  • Auswalk App and comprehensive walk so you can walk with confidence
  • Support from the Auswalk team both in Australia and on the ground
  • Insulated lunch bag and map case
  • Benefit from 30 years' experience in delivering walking holidays

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Though the walks we offer are not particularly lengthy, we would advise undertaking some elevation training prior to your New Zealand walking holiday:  the stunning undulating, mountainous terrain on this island may well test your stamina!   Walks are typically classified as Moderate in difficulty so with a good level of fitness and some preparation, most walkers will have no problems.  And the incredible views will likely distract you should you get tired!  We highly recommend walking poles on this trip to help tackle the ups and downs.

The grading system has been designed from having 30 years of experience walking the tracks and with our guides, to enable you to understand what you’ll face and prepare accordingly.  The grades are depicted at the top of each walk webpage and range from easy to moderate to strenuous.

There is a fitness guide on each website page (e.g. Abel Tasman 6 Days) for the trip you might be interested in. Please also refer to the fitness guide in About Us.

The best time to enjoy your walking holiday in New Zealand is over the months of October to April.  Do note that in January to March, it does become very popular and busy so to avoid the crowds, we'd recommend going outside this peak period.

Coastal beauty, temperate forest, isolated beaches, crystal clear water, emerald green islands - New Zealand has it all. You're sure to find a destination to suit you:

The Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman's popularity is due, in part, to being the sunniest part of New Zealand.  Topped with its stunning golden beaches, beautiful forest walks, and sparkling bays, it's no surprise this is one of our most popular walking holidays.

Queen Charlotte Track

The Queen Charlotte Track certainly is a walk fit for royalty, well deserving of its reputation of being one of the the world's best hiking destinations.  With dramatic scenery and incredible accommodation, this hiking tour will likely take your breat away.

Bay of Islands

The Cape Brett Track on the Bay of Islands offers some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand (the bar is set incredibly high!).  Island-hop between stunning island and stunning island and soak up the sublime views you'll cherish forever.

Fiordland

The Fiordland is New Zealands primo walking destination.  Enjoy walks on the Milford Sound, Holyford, Routeburn and Kepler Tracks and much more.

New Zealand is an adventurer's paradise.  On top of the world-class hiking, there is a huge variety of outdoor activities on offer.  Water lovers will rejoice, with swimming, kayaking, sailing, diving and fishing all ready to be enjoyed.

Wildlife is in abundance:  you can swim with dolphins, whale watch, marvel at the fascinating kiki bird, search for the world's smallest penguins and witness fur seals sprawling in the sun.   And even better, New Zealand proudly lacks much in the way of dangerous wildlife so there's no excuse not to relax.

It's also a foodies playground! So many sumptuous foods to choose from, with fabulous fresh seafood - a real highlight - which can be washed down with an excellent glass of wine that the Kiwis are renowned for.


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Frequently asked questions

A self-guided walking holiday gives you the freedom to walk independently — with who you want, when you want, at your own pace. Auswalk carefully plans every aspect of the journey for you, from the best walking itineraries and handpicked accommodations to seamless luggage transfers that move your bags ahead while you walk. You'll have comprehensive walk notes, detailed maps, and a navigation app to guide you along the track, plus around-the-clock support from our team and local representatives on the ground. All the logistics are handled — all you have to do is walk.

No. All Auswalk holidays are pack-free experiences. Your main luggage is transported between accommodations while you walk, so it's waiting for you each evening when you arrive. All you carry on the trail is a light daypack with your daily essentials — lunch, water, wet weather gear, and personal items.

Each walk has a detailed fitness guide on its page covering daily distances, elevation, terrain type, and recommended training. Fitness requirements vary considerably across our itineraries — some walks are gentle and accessible, others are more demanding and require a solid base fitness and specific preparation. We encourage you to read the fitness guide for your chosen walk carefully, and to get in touch with our team if you're unsure whether it's the right fit.

On days where the route allows, you'll walk directly in or out of your accommodation. Where that's not possible, we arrange the appropriate transfers on and off the track for you. Our transfer providers are locals who know the region intimately — many of them have lived and worked in the area for years and are an excellent source of knowledge along the way.

Solo walking availability varies by itinerary. Some walks require a minimum of two people for safety and logistical reasons, while others are available to solo walkers. Speak to one of our destination consultants for details on your specific walk of interest.

Yes. Customising walks is something Auswalk genuinely specialises in. Whether you're travelling alone or with a group of thirty, we can tailor the logistics, itinerary, and pace to suit your needs. Get in touch with our team to discuss what's possible.

There is no definitive upper age limit, however walkers over 80 years of age are required to provide a doctor's note confirming they are fit to undertake the walk. All walkers should review the trip difficulty and fitness guide before booking. Self-guided walks are available to anyone aged 12 and over; walkers aged 12–17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Due to the nature of our walks — remote locations, required daily distances typically between 10–25km, uneven terrain, and fixed itineraries — our trips are not suitable for people with limited mobility. While we welcome walkers with cognitive, sensory, or intellectual differences, we are unfortunately unable to adapt our itineraries to accommodate mobility impairments. We recommend reading the fitness guide and trail description for each walk carefully, and calling us if you have any questions.

Please let us know of any dietary requirements, allergies, or food intolerances at the time of booking. We aim to accommodate most needs, and the earlier you flag them, the better the outcome. For very specific or complex requirements, we'll advise honestly on what's possible for your chosen itinerary.

Yes. When you complete a walk with Auswalk, you earn Frequent Walker Points redeemable as a discount on your next trip. Points are valid for two years from completion of your walk. Groups of five or more walkers on the same self-guided booking also receive a 5% discount. Ask our team for current details, as program terms may be updated from time to time.

Your daypack should hold everything you need for the day on the trail. Essential items include your walk notes, map and map case, packed lunch (when supplied), a quality waterproof jacket with hood, warm mid-layer, sun hat, sunscreen (SPF 15+), 1–2 litres of water, a basic first aid kit, toilet paper, some cash, your mobile phone, insect repellent, and any personal medication. Optional items — depending on conditions and the walk — include waterproof over-trousers, a warm hat, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, a small torch, walking poles, and extra snacks.

As a minimum, it needs to fit your lunch, water bottle, wet weather gear, warm layer, camera, and personal items comfortably. A larger pack weighs marginally more and costs very little extra — you're unlikely to regret the extra space. Look for padded shoulder straps, a hip belt, a chest strap, and a waterproof liner or pack cover.

Luggage limits vary depending on the itinerary. Information about luggage limits will be provided in the walk notes.

Proper hiking boots or shoes with good ankle support are strongly recommended. The most important thing is that they are well broken in before you start — never use new footwear for the first time on a walking holiday. Look for boots with a supportive sole, waterproof membrane if possible, and a chunky tread pattern for grip on varied terrain. Quality socks matter too — fitted, cushioned hiking socks with shaped heels will make a real difference over long days.

Walking poles are recommended for most of our walks, particularly on days with significant elevation gain or descent. They reduce jarring on the knees and ankles, improve stability on uneven ground, and help you walk further with less fatigue. Look for poles with a spring mechanism to absorb impact, and make sure they collapse small enough to fit in your luggage.

Gaiters are not essential for all walks but are worth considering if your itinerary involves grassy, sandy, or muddy trails. They keep seeds, sand, mud, and other debris out of your boots and provide useful leg protection in scratchy vegetation. Short, lightweight gaiters are sufficient for most walking holidays.

A quality waterproof and breathable jacket is essential for any walking holiday, regardless of the season. Gore-Tex and similar breathable membranes are far superior to cheaper plastic or nylon ponchos — they keep rain out while allowing body moisture to escape, so you stay genuinely dry rather than just wet from the inside. A good jacket is a long-term investment that will serve you well for years.

Around 1.5 litres in cooler weather, and up to 2.5–3 litres on hot days or longer walks. Drink plenty before you head out to start the day well hydrated. Opportunities to refill water on the trail vary by walk — your daily walk notes will flag where refill points are available, if at all.

Yes. Auswalk provides 24/7 support throughout every walk via our team and local partners on the ground. You're never entirely on your own — help is always a phone call away, whatever the hour or the issue. Full emergency and support contact details are provided in your walk notes before departure.

Always carry your mobile phone. In the event of a genuine emergency, call the relevant local emergency number for the country you're walking in. For any issues that don't require emergency services, contact Auswalk's local representatives or our main office — details are provided in your walk notes. Text messaging can work in areas where voice calls won't connect, so it's worth trying if you can't get a call through.

Mobile coverage varies considerably by destination and can be patchy or unavailable in some areas. Always carry your phone charged and bring a backup power bank. For destinations where guaranteed coverage is important to you, satellite phone hire is available through specialist providers — ask our team for recommendations.

Yes — travel insurance is mandatory for any Auswalk walking holiday involving international travel, and strongly recommended for all domestic walks. Your policy should cover trip cancellation, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and loss or damage to luggage. Auswalk's cancellation fees — which apply once a booking is confirmed — are very often covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Always check the terms of your chosen walk for any specific insurance requirements such as coverage for trekking above certain altitudes or helicopter rescue.

Start and finish times are detailed on the individual walk page and are included in your pre-departure walk notes. If you have specific questions about timings, our team is happy to help.

Yes. Hotel accommodations charge much the same price regardless of whether there is one or two people in a room. The single supplement covers this cost directly — Auswalk makes no margin on it. In return, you have the guaranteed sole use of your own room and private bathroom throughout the walk.

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