Take A Hike - Walking
Go beyond the road and get a genuine taste of New Zealand.
With more than thirty percent of the country preserved in National Parks - that's over eight million hectares - you'll need to don a pair of hiking boots to explore the most pristine corners of New Zealand. You'll be spoilt for choice with 12,000 kilometres of walking tracks and 1,000 huts for overnight stays. Beyond the National Parks there are many opportunities for walking in regional parks and along coastlines, lakes and rivers. From the top of the North to the bottom of the South Island, and beyond, to several offshore islands, a multitude of trails range from fifteen-minute scenic walks to demanding multi-day hikes, ice or mountain climbs. Whatever your skill level, you'll find the perfect way to walk New Zealand. Walking in some of the most unspoilt parts of the world is an unforgettable experience.
New Zealand can offer experiences not so readily accessible in any other country. You'll find great opportunities for getting back to nature within minutes of any New Zealand town or city. The choice of walking experiences is vast, from a gentle stroll along the golden coastlines of Abel Tasman National Park to a nighttime Kiwi-spotting expedition on Stewart Island, or being showered with spray from the world's fifth-highest waterfall on Milford Track. New options are added regularly. The latest experience on offer is Southland's Humpridge Track - already attracting critical acclaim. Diversity, it's been said, is the spice of life and New Zealand offers outdoors people plenty of that!
Walking in New Zealand is an experience that everyone can enjoy. A huge variety of short scenic walks are accessible by road and you'll find many located close to cities. Wherever you are, there's bound to be at least one trail nearby. Some short trails even provide access for disabled visitors. A scenic walk combined with a picnic or lunch on the way makes an ideal outing - it's a popular pastime amongst Kiwis. You can arrange an excursion independently, using a rental car or selecting a walk close to public transport, or join a guided tour and allow an expert to introduce you to New Zealand's natural features. If you are going independently, plan and seek advice before setting out. See Getting Started for more information.
Many multi-day walks also offer the option of going independ-ently or with a guide. You'll find main tracks, such as Whirinaki in the north, and Abel Tasman, Queen Charlotte, Routeburn, Milford and Hollyford in the south, equipped with comfortable accommodation. Less well-known walks may have basic backcountry huts for overnight stays. Always seek advice before attempting an overnight walk. It is important to be well equipped and to confirm that the walk is suitable for your fitness. Visit a Department of Conservation Visitor and Information Centre for assistance and advice. A guided walk is a good option for visitors less experienced in the outdoors and those wanting to get involved in a more intense trekking experience. Guided walks take the hassle out of organising suitable food and equipment, as well as transport to and from the track. They also offer the advantage of an experienced escort who can inform you of local features, history, culture and wildlife. Levels of service vary, with some operators offering transport of gear so you won't even have to carry a pack.
Whether you take a five-day trek amidst the Southern Alps, or whether you'd prefer to take a gentle stroll along a beach or forested valley, walking in New Zealand is an experience you won't forget. It's the perfect way to get the most out of your visit.
Wildlife
Draw your eyes away from the spectacular scenic vistas for a moment and take a look around. In addition to dramatic scenery, New Zealand contains some unique wildlife.
In these isolated islands, species have evolved in seclusion for millions of years. The result is a fascinating diversity of native plants and animals. The Tuatara, for instance, is a reptile that has inhabited New Zealand since the age of the dinosaurs. Related species died out around 65 million years ago. They now live only on offshore islands and, growing to only 24cm in length, they are not a threat to humans. On the mainland, walkers will see a variety of forest and sea birds, from the tiny, curious Piwakawaka (fantail) to the large and beautifully plumaged Kereru (wood pigeon). The Kiwi, New Zealand's national icon, is a nocturnal bird rarely seen on the mainland. On Stewart Island, however, these flightless, long-beaked birds emerge onto the beaches in the evening, where they can be easily seen. The plant life in New Zealand is equally diverse. There is a great range of forest types, from alpine beech forest to lowland rainforest thick with treeferns, and species vary from north to south.