« Return to Normal Layout
New Zealand Hiking

New Zealand Hiking

New Zealand is a compact natural extravaganza, and this Backroads trip is a sampler of the country’s stunning natural diversity. Native New Zealanders - known as Kiwis, after the unique flightless bird - are wild about "tramping" (that’s hiking in Kiwi-speak). Foot trails abound on the South Island, revealing spectacular beauty: snowcapped mountain summits, forest-fringed lakes, lush river valleys and tumbling glaciers. Combine the country’s extraordinary beauty with the effortless hospitality of its people and the expertise of Backroads leaders, and you’ve got a destination that's perfect for exploring for the first time, or returning to again and again.

Days 1-2 Arthur's Pass

Meet in Christchurch Hike Godly Head out to Taylor's Mistake for beautiful views of Lyttleton Harbor and the South Pacific  Head into the mountains and watch a sheepshearing demonstration at a working farm  Hike high in Arthur's Pass National Park for inspirational views of the surrounding snowcapped mountains, sweeping forests and braided rivers.

Day 3 Punakaiki

At the summit of Arthur's Pass, walk through alpine wetlands to Devil’s Punchbowl Falls for inspirational views of the 131-meter cascade Travel to the Tasman Sea and observe exploding blowholes at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks Hike through luxuriant tropical rain forest along the Porari River, where native tree ferns and nikau palms abound.

Days 4-5 Franz Josef

In the gold-rush town of Hokitika, shop for hand-carved greenstone jewelry and other local crafts Follow the Hari Hari Coastal Walkway to the Tasman Sea and through native kahikatea forest Discover the dramatic Franz Josef Glacier, where ice meets rain forest, or helicopter to the glacier and explore its incredible features up close. 

Days 6-7 Lake Moeraki

View the famous reflections of Mounts Tasman and Cook in the dark surface of Lake Matheson Explore the Fox Glacier and the amazing glacial valley it created  From Lake Moeraki, hike through protected rain forest to the pounding surf at spectacular Munro Beach and search for pounamu, the native jade of New Zealand  Head out on the lake in a canoe trip with a resident naturalist or go hiking or swimming.

Days 8-10 Lake Wanaka

Challenge yourself on a hike up Diamond Lake Trail for incredible vistas of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains  Take an optional scenic flight to Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most famous fjord, or choose to hike along Lake Wanaka  An early-morning excursion to the top of Mount Iron offers 360-degree views. 

big map New Zealand Hiking

KIWI COMFORTS: Premiere Inns

Wilderness Lodge (2 nights): Under the gracious proprietorship of Gerry McSweeny, this cozy mountain retreat and high-country sheep station is surrounded by beech forest and frosted peaks.

Punakaiki Rocks Hotel (1 night): Designed to complement the area’s stunning natural beauty, this inn offers unparalleled views of the Tasman Sea.

Westwood Lodge (2 nights): Spacious, warmly finished guest rooms overlook the rugged terrain at this  inviting and secluded lodge.

Wilderness Lodge (2 nights): Cozy guest rooms, a riverside lodge and excellent cuisine in a remote rain forest setting.

Edgewater Resort Hotel (2 nights): Spacious suites, a host of amenities - including tennis courts, a putting green, a sauna and hot tub - and lush grounds on the shore of mountain-rimmed Lake Wanaka.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 6
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
New Zealand Hiking
Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking & Hiking
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
2008 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Guest Trip Reviews

While we have traveled around the world with other tour companies and Backroads, this by far was the most enjoyable trip. New Zealand provided not only an extraordinary background, and having two of our adult children and their spouses along make it uniquely enjoyable, the trip leaders were just the best. Attentive, friendly, sharing of their knowledge, generous with their time, consciously sharing their attention among all the travelers, and full of flexibility and suggestions (getting a fishing guide, arranging bungee jumping, juggling the schedule to get it all in) all of which made this a very special trip. Bravo!
Don Tucker - Landrum, SC

One of the principal reasons we vacation with Backroads is that we could never come up with the quality of the accommodations, dining, or general experience if we tried to book the trip on our own—and it's kinda nice to have the Backroads leaders fussing over us.
Mark Smucker - Granger, IN