Great Walks of New Zealand
Book Transport
The Great Walks are located in some of the most beautiful and remote parts of New Zealand. Generally, you will need to drive, catch shuttles, buses, ferries, or a combination of them all to get to and from the track. There are lots of great local companies that can assist, are flexible, and have great knowledge of the area to help you plan your walk. Where possible it is easier to stay near the track to avoid having to travel hours before or after finishing a hike when you just want a shower, cold beer, and real food. Most accommodation will happily store any excess luggage until you return from the walk.
It is possible for some of the loop track walks to park your car and leave it for the duration of the walk, but this is at your own risk. Break-ins occur rarely but do happen so if you opt for this, ensure your vehicle is empty. Below are some transport ideas and options to help you get to and from the Great Walks.
Abel Tasman Coastal Track
Abel Tasman is a one-way track and can be walked in either direction with the most popular route from Marahau Shelter to Wainui Car Park. The closest airport is Nelson and we recommend staying in the beautiful Kaiteriteri before and after the hike. Kaiteriteri is close to the Abel Tasman National Park with plenty of transport options and activities.
$ Bus - To start the track you can get a one-way bus from Nelson, Motueka or Kaiteriteri to the Marahau Shelter. Cost is approx $25. You can book through Better Bus. You will need to organise a shuttle from Wainui car park back to your accommodation or alternatively, hike back to Totaranui and catch a water taxi.
$$ Shuttle - For more flexibility a shuttle can take you to/from your accommodation to Marahau or Wainui car park. Great for bigger groups and the pricing will depend on passenger numbers. Check out Karen at Scrambled Legs, a good sort who happily made stops for ice cream and beer for thirsty hikers.
$$$ Water Taxi - You can also get in and out of Abel Tasman Park via water taxi. Water taxis go from Kaiteriteri and Marahau to many of the beaches in the park. A great way to travel and see the seals on Tonga Island. Check out Wilsons Abel Tasman or Abel Tasman Water Taxis
Heaphy Track
The Heaphy Track is a one-way track that can be walked in either direction with the most popular route East to West (Brown Hut to Kohaihai Shelter). The closest main domestic airport is Nelson. It is possible to fly into very small airfields located close to the track at Takaka (near Brown Hut) and Karamea (near Kohaihai shelter). Golden Bay Air provides these flights and connects to Nelson and Wellington airports.
$ Bus - The Heaphy Bus services the track on a scheduled timetable from Brown Hut to Nelson approx $75 and Kohaihai to Nelson approx $135.
$$ Car Relocation - If you are driving and have a few people or want to continue your travel, car relocation services are cost effective and convenient. Simply park your car and it will be at the end of the track for you when you finish. Cost is approx $445 or $495 depending on which direction you hike (add another $50 for a campervan), Check out Heaphy Track Help.
$$ Shuttle - A shuttle provides more flexibility without the waiting around for scheduled buses and provides the ability to make catered stops. The shuttle from Nelson to Brown Hut takes 2hrs 45mins and costs approx $95. The shuttle from Kohaihai Shelter return to Nelson is 5hrs and costs approx $155. Check out Scrambled Legs.
$$$ Air Transport - If you are coming from the North Island, Golden Bay Air provides direct flights from Wellington into Takaka or Karamea with shuttles as needed to get to and from the track (approx $749 for return flights and shuttles). Alternatively, hikers/mountain bikers can also opt to bus/shuttle/drive to the track and book one-way flights back to the beginning, which can cost between approx $99-$299 depending on the direction and time of year.
Hump Ridge Track
The Hump Ridge Track is a loop track and you will finish where you started. Tuatapere where the track begins is approx 1hr 10mins from the nearest city, Invercargill, or 2hrs 30mins from Queenstown. The road to the track turns to gravel just before you reach the car park. The days are long on the Hump Ridge. We recommend staying in Tuatapere before and after the track.
$ Car - Driving is definitely the easiest option and there is a car park at the beginning of the track with a $5 donation (koha). The Hump Ridge track is 25mins drive from Tuatapere. If there are a few people in your group and you are happy to drive, hiring a car and parking is still cheaper than individually booking shuttles.
$$ Shuttle - The Hump Ridge Shuttle can be booked when you book the huts. The shuttle services Invercargill, Te Anau, and Queenstown. You will need to travel to Tuatapere the night before on the shuttle prior to starting the track, and stay the night. Prices range from approx $110-$195 depending on departure location.
Kepler Track
The Kepler is a loop track and you will finish where you start, although some hikers may exit at Rainbow Reach shelter and car park. The start of the track is only 5km from Te Anau. We recommend staying in Te Anau before and after the hike.
Walk - The start of the track is a 50min walk from the Fiordland National Park visitor centre, if you are happy to add on another 50mins before and after the hike.
$ Car - You are able to park your car at the Kepler control gate car park for the duration of the hike, but it is not secure, so it is at your own risk. Leave no valuables in the car.
$ Shuttle - A shuttle to and from Te Anau to the Kepler track costs approx $26 return. Or if you feel like a water taxi at the beginning, it will set you back approx $42 return. Check out Fiordland Outdoors or Tracknet which can also assist with transport from Queenstown to Te Anau.
Lake Waikaremoana Track
Lake Waikaremoana is a one-way track around the lake between two points - Onepoto and Hopuruahine. The easiest way to get to/from Hopuruahine landing is by water taxi. The water taxi now takes hikers to Whananui landing which is before Hopuruahine. It is possible to park at Onepoto (at the Great Walk car park, and near the boat ramp) or near the lakeside towards the Waikaremoana Holiday Park entrance (up to 10 days free parking). Parking is not secure and although break-ins rarely occur, do not leave any valuables inside.
We recommend staying at Waikaremoana Holiday Park and the water taxis can also pick up and drop off from here.
$ Car - The easiest way to get to Lake Waikaremoana is by car, driving from Gisborne or Napier to Wairoa and then turning off on SH38. The drive will take about 2hrs 30mins with the last 30mins of the road being gravel. You can park your car at Onepoto for the duration of the walk.
It is also possible to drive from Rotorua to Lake Waikaremoana but the road is windy, narrow, and gravel a lot of the way. It will be slow, take 3 hours, and is not suitable for campervans.
$ Water Taxis - To book water taxis or pack transfers check out the Waiwai Xpres for online bookings.
Milford Track
The Milford Track is a one-way track that can be walked in only one direction. The track begins at Te Anau Downs (25min drive from Te Anau) where you will catch a 1hr ferry from Glade Wharf to the start of the track. At the end of the track another 15min ferry from Sandfly Point transports you out of the track to Milford Sound. From there a bus can return you to Te Anau Downs (1hr 30mins), Te Anau (2hrs), or Queenstown (4hrs 45mins).
$ Car + Ferry + Bus back to Car - You can drive and park at Te Anau Downs and park the car for the duration of the walk (at your own risk). You will then ferry + walk + ferry + bus back to Te Anau downs. Cost is approx $203. Check out Fiordland Outdoors to book transport.
$$ Car relocation - Drive to Te Anau Downs and park the car for the duration of the walk. Your car will be relocated and ready for you in Milford Sound when you step off the ferry. To organize ferries (approx $138) and car relocation (approx $310) check out Fiordland Outdoors and Track Hoppers.
$$ Bus + Ferry - Tracknet and Fiordland Outdoors offer packages for buses to and from the track from Te Anau (approx $232) or Queenstown (approx $327) and include both ferries. It is often cheaper to hire a car and choose the other options if there are a few hikers and a driver in your group.
Paparoa Track
The Paparoa track is a one-way track which can be walked in either direction. The closest airport is Hokitika, which is 45mins drive away from Greymouth. Walking from Smoke Ho car park to Punakaiki gives amazing sunsets and views. We recommend staying in Punakaiki before and after the walk.
$ Shuttles - Paparoa Shuttles offer a service to transport you to and from the track. The price varies depending on your location (Greymouth/Blackball/Punakaiki). If you are taking a bike, it may cost a little extra. Check out Paparoa Shuttles or Paparoa Track Services.
$$ Car Relocation - Store your car in secure parks either Blackball or Greymouth and get shuttled to the Smoke Ho car park to begin the track. Your car will be waiting for you in Punakaiki at the finish. Cost is approx $179 for relocation and approx $22-$35 for the shuttle depending on departure point. Check out Paparoa Shuttles or Paparoa Track Services.
Rakiura Track
The Rakiura Track is a loop track that can be walked in either direction. Stewart Island is off the coast of the South Island and has a small township called Oban where most accommodation is located.
Getting to Stewart Island:
$$ Ferry - A ferry from Bluff (20 mins drive from Invercargill) to Oban takes approx 1hr. The ferry costs approx $220 return and has departures in the morning and evening. Realnz has a bus service from Invercargill to Bluff, otherwise you can park in Bluff at an extra cost. Check out Realnz.
$$ Flights - Flights leave daily from Invercargill airport to Oban taking about 20mins and costing approx $245 return. The baggage limit is15kg. Check out Stewart Island Flights.
Getting to Rakiura track:
Walk - More than likely you will be staying in Oban. From Oban you can walk into and out of the Rakiura Track. It is approx an extra 5km at the beginning and end of the hike.
$ Taxis - Taxis to and from the track are also available. Check out Aurora Cab Company which will cost between approx $20-$40 for a trip with 4 passengers.
Routeburn Track
The Routeburn Track is a one-way track and can be walked in either direction. Which way you walk will depend on your preference to end the hike closer to Glenorchy/Queenstown (Routeburn Shelter) or closer to Te Anau (The Divide).
$ Bus - The cost for transport packages range from approx $120-$164 depending on where you depart from, Te Anau or Queenstown. Both Fiordland Outdoors and Tracknet offer transport options.
Drive times below:
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Queenstown to/from the The Divide takes 4hrs
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Routeburn shelter to Queenstown to takes 90mins
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Te Anau to/from the Divide takes 55mins
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Routeburn shelter to/from Te Anau take 4hrs
$$ Car Relocation - If you are driving you can park your car at the start of the track, and it can be relocated for you at the end of the track. Super convenient and costs approx $375 which is not bad if you can split the costs. Check out Fiordland Outdoors and Track Hoppers.
Tongariro Northern Circuit / Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro National Park is located in the middle of the North Island. Due to the central location hikers can base themselves around the Taupo area, Ohakune, or the National Park Village for the one day Tongariro Crossing. If you are completing the Tongariro Northern Circuit the walk starts and ends at Whakapapa Village.
Getting to the Tongariro National Park:
$ Car - Driving is certainly the easiest way to get to Tongariro National Park due to its location and takes about 1hr from Taupo. Read below for 'park and ride' options.
$$ Flight - Many hikers will base themselves in Taupo which is where the closest airport is located. Check out Air New Zealand.
$$ Train - Catch the Auckland to Wellington Northern Explorer train to the National Park. The train departs from Auckland and Wellington on certain days only and costs approx $199. Check out Northern Explorer Train.
Getting to the Tongariro National Park - If you are completing the one-day Tongariro Crossing:
$ Car + Shuttle - There is restricted 4hr parking at the start (Mangatepopo car park) and end (Ketetahi car park) of the Tongariro Crossing. You can park in the secure car park (rather than on the road) at Ketetahi and catch a shuttle run by any of the 6 shuttle companies to the beginning of the track, approx $60. Check out Ketetahi Car Park.
$$ Shuttles - Shuttle transport can be arranged from many locations in the area. Check out:
Tongariro Expeditions - from Taupo/Turangi/Tongariro Holiday Park
Dempsey Buses - from Ohakune/Raetihi
Active Outdoor Adventures - from National Park/ Turangi
Whanganui River Journey
The Whanganui River is in the heart of the Whanganui National Park, Central North Island. Although it is designated as a Great Walk it is in fact completed by canoe or kayak, in either 3 or 5 days. The Whanganui Journey begins in either Taumaranui (5 day) or Whakahoro (3 day) and finishes in Pipiriki. Many paddlers will base themselves in either Taumaranui or Ohakune.
Getting to Taumaranui / Ohakune
$ Car - Driving is certainly the easiest way to get to both Taumaranui or Ohakune due to their locations.
$$ Train - Catch the Auckland to Wellington Northern Explorer train to Ohakune and Taumaranui. The train departs from Auckland and Wellington on certain days only and costs approx $199. Check out Northern Explorer Train.