Hiking
Discover world-class hiking in the Southern Way regions. They are home to five of New Zealand's 'Great Walks,' but they offer much more than that. Find your perfect hike here and experience the breathtaking beauty firsthand.
Great Walks
The Southern Way is home to five of New Zealand's Great Walks. They are world-renowned for their diverse and stunning scenery. From the native forests of Fiordland, the alpine vistas, and ancient valleys, to the coastline and sandy beaches. Please note all Great Walks must be booked in advance with the Department of Conservation.
The Routeburn Track is a true alpine adventure. The Routeburn Track links Fiordland National Park and Mt Aspiring National Park. Along the way, scenery ranges from spectacular alpine views to lush rainforest. Accessible from both Glenorchy or closer to Te Anau and you can walk this in either direction with most walkers taking 3 days and 2 nights to complete it.
The Milford Track is the oldest and arguably the most famous Great Walk. Protected by Fiordland’s UNESCO World Heritage status and accessible only by boat, the Milford Track is a journey into a landscape largely unchanged for tens of thousands of years.
The Kepler Track is a dramatic, diverse and challenging loop track that can be walked in either direction.
When you walk the Rakiura Track, on Stewart Island you will be surrounded by habitat that hasn’t changed for thousands of years. The track, follows the open coast, delves into native bush, climbs over forested ridges, traverses sheltered coastline, and meanders over sandy beaches. It is also the only one located within a Dark Sky Sanctuary, so you will be delighted with the night skies.
The newest addition to the Great Walk family, is the Hump Ridge track. A world class outdoor experience, the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is a 3 day loop walk that takes hikers along the south coast of New Zealand, up to the sub-alpine zone of the Hump Ridge, and over historic viaducts in the heart of native forest.
Overnight and Multi-day Walks
Discover the breathtaking hiking opportunities beyond the Great Walks by embarking on one of the many overnight or multi-day walks in the Southern Way regions.
Immerse yourself in birdsong and scenery that has gone unchanged for centuries. With a walk suitable for all fitness levels, you will be able to immerse yourself in the mountains, valleys and remoteness of the Southern Way.
If you are planning an overnight hike, check out The Land Safety Code for comprehensive outdoor safety information prior to embarking on your trip. Ensure you check the weather conditions, fitness level and comply with recommended equipment.
Day Walks
Lace up your hiking boots and hikoi (walk) for the morning, then relax with a glass of world-class pinot noir in the afternoon.
If you are not into multi-day hiking but would still like to experience some of what we have to offer, there is an abundance of options throughout the entire region. In fact, there are over 100 walks that are between one and four hours in duration, leaving you plenty of time to explore other parts of the region.
The walks cater for all fitness levels, including for the younger members of the family (and your four-legged friends on some), and the scenery is just as stunning as it is on the longer ones. These walks will allow you to explore the mountains, forests, lakes, and coastlines of the Southern Way and are perfect for those who have limited time or have your small people along for the ride.
Information for all these walks and hikes is available at the local i-sites, information centres and DOC Visitor Centres.