Great Walks of New Zealand
Book Huts/Campsites
To hike a Great Walk, you will need to book space in the huts or campsites. There are limits on how many people can hike the Great Walks each day to protect the fraglie ecosystems. Great Walks huts/campsites can be booked on the Department of Conservation (DOC) website except for the Hump Ridge Track which has its own website.
Bookings for each Great Walks season (approx end of October to April) open a few months before, around May. Check the DOC website in early May to find out when each walks booking will open. Booking a Great Walk can be like trying to secure tickets to a concert, particularly if you are trying to book popular Great Walks or holiday dates. The huts and some campsites on popular walks (Milford/Routeburn/Abel Tasman) will book out for the entire season in minutes, so you need to be logged into the website as soon as bookings open to secure a spot. Less popular tracks will still have availability throughout the year, so if you miss out have a backup option ready. Cancellations also regularly occur so keep checking the website and you never know, the stars could align, and some dates may become available.
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The Hump Ridge Track is run by the Hump Ridge Trust and huts can be booked on their website. These huts are considerably nicer than DOC huts and come with more amenities. This means you will not have to carry so much but these lodges do cost more. Lodges have solar power, heating, cooking facilities and crockery, flush toilets, and the ability to buy food which you can self-cook. Check out the Hump Ridge Track page for more info.
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There are rangers stationed at most huts during the Great Walks season who will check your booking on arrival and ensure everyone expected has arrived safely. Each night the rangers will give a talk around 6 -7pm and provide information on the hut, area, and native fauna and flora. They will discuss the weather forecast and what you can expect the next day on the trail. Should it be unsafe to proceed due to incoming weather, the ranger will let everyone know.
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For more information on costs, huts/lodges, campsites, and to get some tips for booking, click the links below.
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Cost
Dept of Conservation Huts
Hump Ridge Lodges
Campsites
TIPS For Booking
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Cost
The cost of the huts can vary from $30-$92 depending on the Great Walk, with campsites costing considerably less from $14-$25. Some Great Walks do not allow camping. The cost is more expensive during the Great Walks season than off peak season, with international visitors paying more than NZ residents.
Some people consider the cost high for basic huts/campsites and will try to dodge paying or worse, moan about it. But the money contributes to the upkeep of the tracks to make the area accessible for everyone and maintenance of the facilities, which are in very remote and difficult-to-reach areas. The cost also helps towards conservation efforts in NZ. So be a good kiwi or 'honorary kiwi' and pay for the hut/campsite. ​
Check here for DOC Hut/Campsite pricing
Dept Of Conservation Huts
​The huts are pretty basic and will contain a kitchen with running water, outside toilets, a fire, and sleeping quarters. There is no electricity so you will need to bring a power bank if you want to charge a phone and head torch/lamp when it gets dark. Romance isn't dead but leave the candles at home. Some huts have solar powered lights for the common areas but others not all.
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KITCHENS - During the Great Walks season the kitchens will have gas cookers available to use (except Abel Tasman and Lake Waikaremoana) but you will need to bring cooking pots/pans etc. Some huts may have pots/pans left behind by other hikers but don't count on it. Don't forget dish washing liquid and a tea towel to clean up.
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SLEEPING QUARTERS - Each hut will have some rooms which contain bunks and a mattress per person. Often you will sleep side by side with another person (possibly a stranger). Fun. Pack a pillow, sleeping bag, and don't forget those ear plugs.
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TOILETS - Toilets will either be flushing or long drops and during the Great Walks season will have toilet paper supplied. Definitely carry some just in case. All of the toilets are separate from the main building so don't forget a head torch for those midnight trips.
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FIRE - During the Great Walks season there will be fuel available for a fire if needed. Just remember to replace the wood for the next hikers before you leave.
Hump Ridge Lodges
The Hump Ridge lodges are pimping compared to the Great Walk huts but come at a greater cost. Hikers choose a package when booking (freedom, prime, or guided) and there are optional add-ons available incl showers, private rooms, meals to self-cook, and sleeping bag hire.
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KITCHENS - The kitchens are fully equipped with gas, crockery, and cutlery meaning you can carry less gear with you. Tea/Coffee and a simple porridge breakfast is provided in the morning for free. Dehydrated food or the famous Tuatapere sausage/mash/and pea dinner can be purchased at the lodge's shop which you cook yourself.
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BAR - The lodges have a licensed bar with snacks you can buy.
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SLEEPING QUARTERS - There is heating and lighting in the rooms and you can choose from a multi-share bunk room or private room for an extra cost (approx $150). Bedding can also be provided for an extra cost (approx $20) reducing the need to carry a bulky sleeping bag.
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TOILETS - Toilets are flushing with toilet paper provided.
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SHOWERS - Shower tokens can also be purchased for hot showers on a restricted time limit (approx $20). It's so worth it.
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FIRE - The lodges are very warm with gas heating.
Campsites
All Great Walks except Milford, Hump Ridge, and Paparoa allow camping. Most have plenty of campsites available to book which is a great option if you miss out on booking a hut or want to avoid snorers. Campsites will have running water and pit toilets and are often situated near the huts, but not always. Alternatively, you can freedom camp along the trail on some Great Walks provided you camp 500m from the track. However, the terrain can be rugged and finding suitable ground is challenging on most walks, so this is not a great option.
​If you are completing a multi-day hike for the first time, consider booking a hut. You will have more amenities and won't have to carry a tent/sleeping pad which can lighten the load considerably.
TIPS for Booking
​​1. Check the DOC website in March for when the hut bookings open for the Great Walks. The bookings will open on different days for each Great Walk.
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2. Make sure you have registered for a log in to book the Great Walks on the DOC website in advance.
​3. Log in10 mins before the bookings open and select your Great Walk.
4. You will be placed into a queue and a booking window will open when your next in line.
5. You will need to have the names, ages, and nationalities of everyone in your hiking group ready. Remember the cost will be different for international visitors vs NZ residents.
6. Select the first day of your hike and book the huts in order and in the right direction.
7. Once you have secured the huts you will have 15mins to make the full payment.
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If your dates are not available, check back later. Bookings often get cancelled and will show up as available 30mins later. Consider having a few dates or alternatively choose less popular Great Walks as a backup in case you cannot secure your preferred huts.
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It really is like buying concert tickets, so Good Luck!
Click on the links below to go the DOC or the Hump Ridge websites.