Other Great Walks
We live and breathe Fiordland’s Great Walks in New Zealand
SOUTHERN TRACKS, TRAILS and Great walks IN NEW ZEALAND
We are so blessed to have so many awe-inspiring and diverse tracks on our doorstep here in the South Island of New Zealand. Some of our favourites are the lesser-known tracks that are just as beautiful, accessible and as equally rewarding as the Great Walks.
The Great Walks here in Fiordland are incredible and we know them like the back of our hand, but they can be busy and availability can, at times be limited. So, if you’re seeking a bit more solitude on a lesser-known track or you’ve made it your mission to tick off as many hikes as you can – we are here to help!
Whether it’s car relocation, transport, gear hire, hiking food or helpful advice, we’ll take care of it and make getting off-the-beaten-track easy, so you can focus on making the most of the experience!
GREENSTONE & CAPLES TRACK
Accessible from Greenstone Road end, just 1.5 hours drive from Queenstown via Glenorchy, the Greenstone-Caples Track is a diverse 61km loop. Covering two valleys and linked by the McKellar Saddle, the Greenstone valley is wide and open with tussock flats and beech forest.
The Caples valley is narrower and more heavily forested, interspersed with grassy clearings. The diversity of the area is also recognised with the establishment of the Te Wāhipounamu-South West New Zealand World Heritage Area and it’s a big part of the reason we love this lesser-known hike!
McKeller Saddle, Caples Track
TRACK LOGISTICS
DISTANCE: 61 km (Option to combine with Routeburn Track)
DURATION: 4 Days / 3 Nights
START/FINISH: Greenstone Road end 86km from Queenstown via Glenorchy
ACCOMMODATION: Department of Conservation huts (bunks and shared facilities). Bookings not required – first-in first-served basis. Routeburn Track Huts must be booked in advance.
THE HUMPRIDGE TRACK
We love the Humpridge track! This gorgeous 3 days/2 night loop track is accessed via the Southland town of Tuatapere. Just 2.5 hours drive from Queenstown and 1.5 hours from Te Anau, in 2022 the Hump Ridge will join the New Zealand Great Walks family as the 11th member.
The Hump Ridge offers something for everyone with both freedom and guided options, along with well-appointed lodges complete with hot showers (luxury!). The terrain covered is diverse and vast, with a traverse along New Zealand’s south coast, into a sub-alpine zone, through rocky tarns with spectacular sunset views, down into the heart of the native forest and over historic viaducts. The Hump Ridge has it all.
Humpridge Track Viaduct
TRACK LOGISTICS
DISTANCE: 62 km
DURATION: 3 Days / 2 Nights
START/FINISH: Rarakau Car Park via Tuatapere, Southland.
ACCOMMODATION: Modern backcountry lodges with comfortable bunk rooms, fully equipped with cooking facilities/equipment during the summer season. Private double bedrooms and hot showers are also available.
THE REES – DART TRACK
The Rees-Dart Track is a spectacular 4-5 day track in the heart of Mt Aspiring National Park. With loads of side trips and options to explore a little further, the Rees-Dart is a great option for those with a bit of hiking experience already under the belt.
This circuit track starts and finishes in different locations, both accessible from Queenstown via Glenorchy. Stunning mountain scenery, alpine and forest vegetation, glacier rivers and the Dart Glacier are all part of the experience with well-appointed DOC huts staggered along the route.
Dart River, from Dart Track
TRACK LOGISTICS
DISTANCE: 63km (plus any extra side trips)
DURATION: 4 Days / 3 Nights
START: Muddy Creek, 68kms from Queenstown via Glenorchy
FINISH: Chinaman’s Bluff, 76kms from Queenstown via Glenorchy
ACCOMMODATION: Department of Conservation huts (bunks and shared facilities). Bookings not required – first-in first-served basis.
THE HOLLYFORD TRACK
From the mountains to the sea, the Hollyford Track is fantastic all-year round hiking adventure. Starting in the heart of Fiordland National Park and following the Hollyford River to its outlet at Martin’s Bay on the West Coast, the Hollyford showcases the best of Fiordland with its Jurassic like scenery, beautiful lakes and abundant forests.
Starting at either the Lower Hollyford Road (2 hours drive from Te Anau) or Martin’s Bay (air access only) the track is 56km long with no alpine sections and depending on the route, can take between 4 – 5 days. A Jet Boat service on Lake McKerrow operates in the summer months.
Martins Bay
TRACK LOGISTICS
DISTANCE: 56km one way
DURATION: 4-5 Days
START/FINISH: Lower Hollyford Road end, 2 hours from Te Anau / Martin’s Bay (air access from Te Anau / Milford Sound).
ACCOMMODATION: Department of Conservation huts (bunks and shared facilities). Bookings not required – first-in first-served basis or camping.
PAPAROA TRACK
The latest addition to New Zealand’s Great Walks collection, the Paparoa Track officially opened in 2019 as a purpose-built, shared-use hiking and mountain biking track within the Paparoa National Park on the West Coast of the South Island.
Crossing the Paparoa Range, through limestone karst landscapes, alpine tops and native rainforest with majestic sunsets, this 3 Day/2 Night one-way track is set to be a new favourite. The Paparoa has several access points via the towns of Blackball and Punakaki, north of Greymouth. Once completed, the Pike29 Memorial Track, which is dedicated to the 29 men killed in the 2010 disaster, will lead from the Paparoa track to the mine site.
Paparoa Track Views
TRACK LOGISTICS
DISTANCE: 55.1km (hiking)
DURATION: 4 Days / 3 Nights or 3 Days / 2 Nights
START: Smoke-ho car park, 8km north of Blackball
FINISH: Pororari River car park, 1.2km north of Punakaiki
ACCOMMODATION: Department of Conservation Great Walk huts (bunks and shared facilities).
ABEL TASMAN COASTAL TRACK
Traversing the Abel Tasman National Park coastline, on the northern shores of the South Island, the Abel Tasman track is a family friendly track which suits any schedule and ability. Showcasing the best of the National Park – golden beaches, coastal native bush and a mild climate, the Abel Tasman is a fantastic all-year-round hiking option and provides plenty of accommodation options.
At a total of 60km from start to finish, the track can be walked in either direction with multiple access points via road at Marahau, Wainui and Totaranui or water taxi from Marahau and Kaiteriteri. Some sections can even be kayaked!
Abel Tasman Track
TRACK LOGISTICS
DISTANCE: 60km
DURATION: 3 -5 Days
START/FINISH: Marahau (67km from Nelson), Wainui (21km from Takaka) or Totaranui (32km from Takaka or water taxi from Totaranui/Marahau/Kaiteriteri.
ACCOMMODATION: Department of Conservation huts (bunks and shared facilities), camping and private lodges.
RAKIURA TRACK
Located on Stewart Island, the Rakiura Track is a leisurely island hike, suitable all-year-round. Steeped in history with the bush, birds and beach for company, this 32km loop is also home to a Dark Sky Sanctuary – so the views are just as good at night as they are during the day! Wildlife are a key highlight and you might be lucky enough to hear or see the native kiwi bird.
The Rakiura is a circular track that can be hiked in either direction, with DOC Great Walk Huts evenly spread throughout. Access to Stewart Island is easy – either via air from Invercargill or by ferry from Bluff. Once on the island, transport to/from the track is available or, you can walk from the main town on the island – Oban.
Rakiura Track
TRACK LOGISTICS
DISTANCE: 32 km loop
DURATION: 3 Days/ 2 Nights
START/FINISH: Lee Bay (5km from Oban) / Fern Gully Road (2km from Oban)
FINISH: Chinaman’s Bluff, 76kms from Queenstown via Glenorchy
ACCOMMODATION: Department of Conservation huts (bunks and shared facilities), or camping.
GREAT WALKS, NEW ZEALAND
Here at Easyhike, we live and breathe the mountains surrounding New Zealand’s Fiordland Great Walks, and love it! We also love helping you see more of New Zealand by providing a hassle-free and convenient unguided hiking service.
Easyhike specializes in car relocation, independent un-guided hiking packages and hiking food/gear hire for the Fiordland Great Walks (Milford, Routeburn and Kepler Tracks). We can also help you experience many of the other beautiful, lesser-known tracks we’re passionate about in our backyard.
Unguided multi-day hiking is a popular and very ‘kiwi’ way to get outdoors and enjoy the mountains. Many Fiordland trails are easy to follow, with great DOC huts along the way.
You choose the level of service you need, and we will make planning your hike super easy. We aim to lighten your load and take the hassle out of your hike, so you can enjoy more of Fiordland!
