New Zealand’s South Island is a paradise for outdoor lovers. Boasting hundreds, if not thousands of pristine hiking trails, the island earns its reputation as a bona fide hiking mecca. It’s got something for everyone— high-altitude panoramic hikes, stunning lakeside walks, and even snowy alpine expeditions. The magic doesn’t stop off the trails, though. Exploring Abel Tasman or Milford Sound by canoe or Waka (traditional Maori rowboat) is a great way to rest your legs and see the lavish landscapes from a new perspective. One trip to the South Island is enough to learn why the Kiwis love the outdoors so much.
Explore a colorful blend of New Zealand’s iconic Great Hikes and lesser-known gems on a 15-day hiking and multisport adventure. Ride, walk, and paddle along the South Island’s greatest natural landmarks, learning about the native Maori culture. Off the trails, unwind with fellow adventure-lovers in cozy campsites, lodges, and panoramic mountain huts.
Meet your guides and fellow hikers in Newlson and head out of town to Kaiteriteri, the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. Take a boat cruise to Awaroa Bay, where you’ll enjoy a picnic on the idyllic beach before starting your hike. Follow the Abel Tasman Coast Track south to Bark Bay, where your tents and gear will be waiting for you. Pitch your tent, enjoy a delicious meal, and fall asleep to the sound of waves lapping the shore.
Distance covered: 9 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
Depart from Bark bay through contrasting stands of manuka and luxuriant mixed forest, over a low saddle, and across a high and airy suspension bridge above the Falls River. You can take a side trip to the Falls River Cascades or Cleopatra’s Pool, both awesome swim spots. If you’re in the mood, you can also join your guide for a boulder hop among the idyllic pools and waterfalls, before settling at the bright blue inlet of Anchorage.
Distance covered: 8.5-12 km
Hiking time: 3-5 hours
Explore Abel Tasman’s coastline by Waka (Maori canoe). Learn about local waka teams and their customs before exploring the coves of the mainland and the wildlife refuge of Adele
Island, where you can observe a breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals. Paddle into the beautiful Kaiteriteri beach, have a picnic lunch, and restock on supplies before driving to a private campsite near Murchison, overlooking the Buller and Maruia rivers.
Distance covered: 15 km
Paddling time: 3 hours
Your first stop on the wild West Coast is Charleston. Take a short hike through lush West Coast bush checking out the dramatic headlands, wild waves, and secluded bays. After a picnic lunch, hike to the spectacular limestone river canyon in Paparoa National Park. Cross a few rivers, collect some firewood, and set up camp under the massive Ballroom Overhang fluviatile cave.
Distance covered: 8 km
Hiking time: 4 hours
After breakfast, head to the West Coast town of Punakaiki to check out the famous Pancake Rocks and seawater blowholes, before retreating down to tonight’s accommodation in Hokitika, a gold-rush town full of cool local jewelry. Enjoy lodge accommodations a short walk from the beach, where you can enjoy some beautiful seaside views.
Distance covered: 6 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
Enjoy group breakfast at one of the great cafés in town before leaving for a cycling tour of the awesome West Coast Wilderness Trail between the Arahura River bridge and the historic township of Kumara. After the ride, sit back and take in the landscapes as you drive into the Southern Alps and the quaint mountain village of Arthur’s Pass. Eat and spend the night in a private hut, preparing for tomorrow’s hiking trip into Edwards Valley.
Distance covered: 39 km
Biking time: 4-5 hours
While not as famous as some of the other National Parks visited on the tour, Arthur’s Pass will amaze you with rugged peaks, wild rivers, and adventurous trails. Follow Edwards River to the Edwards Hut right above the bush line with a great view of the valley. Camp outside or stay in the hut, depending on how many hikers are out there. Fall asleep listening out for the call of the Kiwi, New Zealand’s national bird that is known to inhabit this valley.
Distance covered: 9 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Make the most of this alpine valley with an optional hike before packing up and hiking back out to the road. Have lunch along the way. Watch the scenery change dramatically, with the steep forested slopes of the west replaced with wide braided rivers, tussock grassland, mountains flanked with scree, and the surreal limestone formations of Castle Hill. Leave the main highway and follow an inland route to the tiny village of Mt. Somers, where you’ll spend the night.
Distance covered: 9 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Spend the morning driving along the western margin of the Canterbury Plains and into
the Mackenzie Country, an intermontane basin of huge glacial lakes and snow-capped mountains. Arrive at Aoraki/Mt. Cook village and get ready for a hike to Sealy Tarns, and maybe even Mueller hut. Experience the towering moraine walls, glacial lakes, and the frequent rumbling of distant avalanches, before returning to your accommodation in a private hut.
Distance covered: 10 km
Hiking time: 6 hours
After a relaxed breakfast, you get the option to join a local operator for a guided heli-hike on the
Tasman Glacier. Alternatively, join the guide for a hike up the steep slopes of Sebastopol to
the Red Tarns for more stunning views. By mid-afternoon, reunite with the group and continue south through the Mackenzie Country and over Lindis Pass into the Central Otago region. Spend the night near the shores of the glacial Lake Hawea, ringed by the mountains, and enjoy a meal in a local restaurant.
Distance covered: 4 km
Hiking time: 2 hours
Drive to the Wanaka township where you’ll grab a coffee and wander around. Then, head on up the Matukituki Valley to the road end. Shoulder your pack and enjoy stunning Matterhorn-esque views as you hike across grassed flats to Aspiring Hut. There’s another optional steep, yet rewarding climb here. Alternatively, stay and chill at the hut.
Distance covered: 14 km
Hiking time: 6 hours
Start your return hike early, enjoying pretty views and easy walking along the floor of this wide glacially formed valley. Back in Wanaka, recharge with a lakeside picnic and a dive into the lake. Drive over the remarkable Crown Range and take in the views, before arriving at the Knobs Flat campsite. Relax and make the most of the available hot showers.
Distance covered: 9 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
Drive to the heart of Fiordland National Park and enjoy Milford, one of the world’s great day cruises. Enter Milford Sound and enjoy stunning views of cascading waterfalls and the iconic Mitre Peak. You could even spot a dolphin. A kayaking option is also available. Before returning to Knobs Flat take a hike up to Key Summit, the final section of the famous Routeburn Track. This informative nature walk transitions from forest to alpine vegetation and prolific birdlife, with spectacular views of the Hollyford Valley and the Darran Mountains.
Distance covered: 7 km
Hiking time: 3 hours
After breakfast, take a short hike to check out a beautiful waterfall near our campsite, where you may want to soak up one last little bit of Fiordland by jumping under a bracing shower. Make your final drive to Queenstown in the early afternoon. Afterward, celebrate the great adventures you’ve had for the past two weeks with your new friends.
Distance covered: 2 km
Hiking time: 45 minutes
Your guide departs early for Christchurch, marking the end of the tour. If you’re staying in Queenstown, keep in mind that it’s known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, so there are a ton of superb hiking and cycling tracks in the area!
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the South Island, New Zealand, please refer to the official New Zealand immigration and travel website.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
Although this trip requires no multi-day hiking experience, you still need to be reasonably fit, agile, and enthusiastic. You’ll be walking for an average of 4-5 hours a day, up to 8-9 hours on longer days, while carrying packs weighing up to 10-12 kgs (22-26 lbs). You’ll also overcome altitude gains of up to 800 m (2,620 ft), covering some uneven terrain and river crossings. Finally, some tracks can be slippery or rough and there will be some off-track hiking and river crossings.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Your guide offers hiking gear rentals. If you need a hiking backpack, sleeping bag or liner, fleece, thermal clothes, raincoats, or a walking pole, contact us and we’ll help set you up.
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in New Zealand’s North Island can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To start this tour, most people fly into Auckland International Airport in Auckland, New Zealand. From there, you can take a local flight to Nelson, where you’ll be meeting your guide.
You will meet your guide at a pre-determined location in Nelson, which will usually be at the airport or the i-Site Visitor Information Centre. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain depending on the conditions and the ability of the group.
A 25% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 95 days prior to departure. For bookings within four (4) months of the departure, full payment is required.
Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
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Our group of eight friends was looking for an itinerary that combined the best sightseeing and some basic hiking opportunities on the South Island. We worked with Hiking New Zealand, who delivered a custom itinerary that was perfect. All of us had input into what we wanted to see and do, and Hiking New Zealand was able to work it all into a brilliant tour made just for us. Our guide, Martin shared a wealth of knowledge about the areas we visited. It was virtually impossible to “stump the guide” and we peppered him with questions throughout the trip. He handled all of the logistics smoothly and was able to keep us on our timetable. We had a perfect blend of easy hikes that took us to/through amazing scenery, and experiences such as whale watching, jet boating up a remote river (without all the crowds that you see at Shotover River), wine tasting (many excellent vineyards in NZ), visiting the glow worm caves, bird sanctuary, and some fun stops in small towns. If you haven’t visited New Zealand, GO! Hiking New Zealand shows great resourcefulness in combining experiences, lodging, and meals to meet your needs.