If you want to take the whole tour, you have to budget 50 to 80 days on each island – depending on your personal fitness level and the weather conditions. If this is much too long for you, "Te Araroa" offers a lot of possibilities for one- or multiple day tours through the wonderful nature of New Zealand as well.
The way can be walked into both directions. Walking from North to South, it is best to start between end of September and December – then there is a fairly high change of having good weather conditions at critical points of the route. Especially the mountain area on the southen island is not easy to cross and therefore not recommended after april.
Since the countryside through which the "Te Araroa" leads is often deserted and wild, it is very important to have knowledge of routing and navigation. You should also know how to cross rivers without tools, how to put up a tent, which first aid equipment you should always take along and how to prevent undercooling.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
On the southern island, there are two rivers which can not be crossed. To reach the other side of Rakaia and Rangitata River, you have to go around the road in a vehicle. You will find more information here:
Between Queenstown and Greenstone the only passable way is the main highway along Lake Waikatipu. It is recommended to use a shuttle bus.
Tips and hints
You will find further information at the official homepage of the "Te Araroa".
For a short distance on Queen Charlotte Track, you need a permit.
If you want to stay in one of the official huts of the Department of Conservation, you need a pass.
On arrival in New Zealand, you need a visa.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The tour starts at Cape Reinga which is the most northern point of the northern island. We pass sandy beaches which look like paradise and reach Auckland. From there the way leads alongside Waikato River and through Hakarimata Range to Hamilton. On the next stage Mount Pirongia dominates the skyline of the landscape. Through King Country we finally reach the volcanic landscape Tongariro.
The next stage brings us back to the seaside. We descend Tongariro Crossing and the way leads us through Whanganui National Park, we reach the same-named river and go toward south. Over Manawatu we reach Palmerston North and then New Zealands capital Wellington.
Via ferry we arrive at the southern island. Starting at Ship Cove (Marlborough Sounds) we choose Queen Charlotte Track, which brings us south through easy terrain. The route gets more and more demanding while we are approaching Nelson Lakes National Park.
Over Main Divide at Harper Pass we cross the mountains. Vast grassy landscapes and large Merino sheep farms are on our way. Our next station is Canterbury, then we cross the rivers Rakaia und Rangitata and reach Mackenzie Basin with its turquoise lakes and beautiful views of Mount Cook, New Zealands highest peak. Passing lake Pukaki we reach Twize and eventually Ohau Range.
We pass as well the lakes Wanaka und Wakatipu and cross Otago, before we reach the last stage of the tour: the crossing of the southlands. Alongside the shore we walk through Riverton and Invercargill and finally we reach the aim of the tour, Stirling Point in Bluff.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
- Flight from Auckland to Kerikeri, then with the tourist bus to Cape Reinga
- Flight from Auckland to Kaitaia, then with the tourist bus to Cape Reinga
- Bus from Auckland to Paihia, then with the tourist bus to Cape Reinga
Directions
A1 leads north to Cape Reinga, it is though recommended to all long-distance hikers to take the public transport to reach the starting point of the tour.Parking
There are parking lots at Cape ReingaCoordinates
Equipment
Solid and already broken-in shoes, comfortable and functional clothing (wind- and waterproof, several layers), large backpack with rain cover, map and compass, solar protection, flashlight, first aid kit, water and food supplies, camping equipmentWeather at the route's trailhead
Statistics
- 3 Waypoints
- 3 Waypoints
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others