New Zealand's "Great Walks" - experiences?

[Warks]

We're planning to do one of the "Great Walks" of New Zealand in January. There are nine of these listed in the link:
New Zealand's nine 'Great Walks' - Tourism New Zealand Media

Planning on doing the Heaphy Track which is in the northern part of the South Island. Last January we explored the start of the Wangapeka Track (not one of the 'greats') and got interested. The Heaphy starts out some distance from Nelson and heads down to the West Coast. It's 82 km in 4-5 days and there are some well-appointed huts on the way. The tricky bit is getting to the start and away from the finish of the walk but there are services out of Nelson that will do it for a fee. I've worked out a bit of a plan but would be interested to hear from others who have walked some of these tracks in NZ. You have to book the huts online in advance but there is still good availability for this walk. I check out some others we may do in future. The Routeburn Track down near Milford Sound has some availability for January but as expected the Milford Track is booked out until 28 March 2016 (from summer anyway, not sure about earlier than December). The Raikura Track on Stewart Island looks interesting too.

Would love to hear about the experiences of others. Will eventually try to get to the Milford Track but will be booking that 12 months in advance I guess. I would only want to be walking in summer but it would be interesting to hear what it's like in the cooler months.

 

[Kaiser]

We did the Routeburn track a couple of years ago in summer (December). We had a rental car at the time, and given the Routeburn is not a loop circuit - we used a service that picks up your car at the start of the track and drives it to the end for you. (trackhopper.co.nz) This worked well for us, car waiting at the end of the track meant we simply drove to our next stop ( Te Anua). The Routeburn was only 35-40kms so we only needed 1 hut to overnight in. It certainly can be done quicker (there were people running the Routeburn track) but we just went at a relaxed pace to take in the scenery. The sections of higher elevation provided for stunning scenery and the people were well spread out along the track. The hut was fully booked, so definitely recommend booking these ahead in peak season.

 

[bsb]

All 3 are very different scenically. Stewart Island is the least interesting walk, but still stunning. Have done Routeburn and Milford, Routeburn is the better of the 2. Haven't done Heaphy, but that part of NZ is beautiful. You'll really enjoy which ever one you do, have fun

 

[Milboo]

I can't give recent experiences unfortunately as I did a number of these quite a few years ago when I was a child - and before they were commercial operations they are today. My father actually built some of the original huts.

However, the point to my post - can I suggest you also look at the Hump Ridge Track down in Tuatapere (most South Western town in NZ). That is spectacular.

 

[Warks]

Thanks for the replies. I was surprised how short the Routeburn Track was. Milford isn't a lot longer either but they are both spectacular by all reports.

I think the Stewart Island track is probably less exciting due to the lack of elevation but it's probably the most 'different' for NZ.

We were down in Te Anau in January and I read about the Hump Ridge Track then. I'd forgotten about it until your post. Another one for the list. Might make it an annual event to do one of the walks.

 

[RB]

Not listed in the link in post 1 but we did a short part of the Queen Charlotte track in 2009. It was only a 1 day thing for us as we caught a ferry from Picton to Resolution Bay, did a section and then caught the ferry back. Our experience was too short to make an accurate judgement but we seemed to spend a lot of the walk looking at our feet (heaps of tree roots etc) and were obscured by the vegetation. The ferry trip out was great though. In other parts of the north of the Sth Island we thought it was funny seeing masses of hiking boots tied to fences where people had finished their hikes-looked like some had decided they were never doing it again!
An ex-NZ'er told us not to miss Golden Bay when we were visiting the north of the South Island and we were glad we took the hint. We had a motorhome and it was a steep drive over Takaka Hill. We had a great time so I am sure the Heaphy Track will be a fantastic experience
Endeavour Inlet

Pohara
Golden Bay farmland
On the road to Golden Bay

 

[Warks]

Nice photos! I also read about the Queen Charlotte when we were in Nelson. Also sounds very nice. That's some amazing looking country from the air I know.

On the Heaphy Track there's a spot where people string up their boots too.

Photo from: https://214wainwrights.wordpress.com/international-walks/heaphy-track/

 

[Milboo]

Oh! Pohara - I used to spend holidays there as my uncle had access to a bach.

If you want something a little different to walking then look seriously at kayaking the Abel Tasman - going from Kaiteriteri and camping on the beaches/ inlets. Of course, you can always walk the Abel Tasman too. (top of South Island).

 

[Warks]

Yes Abel Tasman sounds amazing. Not sure I'm up for kayaking as yet but maybe another trip.

No one here has done the Milford Track? It's right up there on many bucket lists. An American friend and his wife managed to just turn up and get on it some time in the late 90s because a couple had dropped out. Pretty lucky.

 

[Milboo]

Yes - but 25+ years ago when the huts were basic and the track was not overcrowded, you carried your own gear (or rather your parents carried it for you!).

But the one thing that has stayed the same is that the scenery is out of this world.

Having lived down that part of NZ - the warmer months are better because a) it is warmer! and b) because the days are so much longer. I remember it being light until nearly 10pm. But I don't think I would enjoy the number of people now walking it and the loss of the serenity that brings. Shoulder season obviously brings cooler temps and fewer facilities but if you're an experienced tramper with appropriate gear, it might be a more enjoyable experience.

 

[Warks]

Less than a month to go so I'm getting ready for it. Went for my morning walk with my new backpack. Not quite loaded up as much as it will be on the walk but I wanted to start slowly. I did walk in the bush though and up some steep hills so I'm hoping I can get used to wearing the pack by the time we go. The beauty of these well-appointed huts is not having to carry a tent or sleeping mat. Also there's cooking facilities so no gas/fuel stove either. Water at the huts as well.

First day will be toughest being uphill with a later start but at least there's daylight to about 10pm at that time of year. Can't wait!

 

[gaz0303]

I need to hide this thread as its making me pine for another trip to the south island. We cycled a chunk of the Queen Charlotte Track nearly 10 years ago. My wife hasn't forgotten the hills to get up on the range. If I hadn't packed some pastries from the fantastic dutch bakery in Picton, I may have met a grissly end out there.

Enjoy the walk Warks. See the lack of tent and cooking equipment in the pack as an opportunity to pack real food and wine.

 

[blueythecat]

I've done quite a few of NZ's great walks and loved everyone of them!! Like with all things NZ, the scenery is fantastic wherever you go, assuming you aren't in the cloud!

As other posters have pointed out some of the great walks are quite short and the whole thing can be completed in a day - The Routeburn for example (lovely walk or run). Others are longer and harder, the Kepler for example, but in some ways more rewarding. As with all walks, its about picking one that suits your timeline, fitness and motivation levels. One thing you can be certain of, all NZ great walks are well maintained and, how shall I say it, Great!

NZ's great walks are amazing, they are afforded the opportunity to offer such fantastic walking opportunities as nearly 30 percent of NZ is administered by the Department of Conservation as public land (not all national park of course). This is something we should be aspiring towards in Aust, we have some fantastic landscapes and wild places too, unfortunately not enough of them are in public hands as National Parks. The exception to the rule is the ACT of course, with 44% of its land mass in National Parks!!

Enjoy your trip! Whichever walk you choose you can go too far wrong!

 

[craven morehead]

Less than a month to go so I'm getting ready for it. Went for my morning walk with my new backpack. Not quite loaded up as much as it will be on the walk but I wanted to start slowly. I did walk in the bush though and up some steep hills so I'm hoping I can get used to wearing the pack by the time we go. The beauty of these well-appointed huts is not having to carry a tent or sleeping mat. Also there's cooking facilities so no gas/fuel stove either. Water at the huts as well.

First day will be toughest being uphill with a later start but at least there's daylight to about 10pm at that time of year. Can't wait!

Looking forward to the pics !! Enjoy :mrgreen:

 

[feezable]

In November 2013 my husband and 9 year old son walked the Milford Track. They won the trip as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations for the Track and walked with various government ministers and the editor of Australian Geographic Outdoor magazine. This is the Australian Geographic Outdoor article about the trip Celebrating 125 years of the Milford Track - Australian Geographic . Unfortunately the photos that accompanied it are not on the website, here is one of them.

 

[Warks]

That was a good read. I don't plan on doing any walks in winter though! I want to get in early for next summer to book the Milford Track. Looks like it doesn't open up for bookings until the end of February so I'll need to set an alarm for that. One walk at a time though.

I was going to travel as light as I can with dehydrated meals for dinners. However any additional space/weight will be occupied by chocolate probably...

 

[Warks]

Off to NZ tomorrow. Been checking the weather regularly but the forecast for the Nelson area changes more often than the weather if that's possible. Looks like possible rain on the first day then a couple of fine days then more rain towards the end. The problem is that we cross through various climatic zones so it's hard to get a forecast for each area. Whatever happens we can't change what we get.

This will be the first time I've carried a serious backpack in about 25 years. Have done some practice runs but I'll only know how well I'll go once I'm on the trail. Glad it's not Kokoda - that sounds like hell.

Back later in the month with a few photos.

 

[feezable]

Off to NZ tomorrow.

I leave on for NZ Wednesday 13th and will be driving the South Island, Christchurch, Picton, Nelson, Jacksons, Tekapo, Wanaka and 5 days in Queenstown at the end. I am doing this in a Campervan with my dear friend and my hubby and sons will spending some time on the North Island before meeting us in Queenstown.

I hope you have a great trip Warks and that we all get some good weather. The last time I was in Queenstown in January it was 30 degrees every day.

 

[Dudditz]

I did the Routeburn in 2011 and Milford in 2013. Both are spectacular but I actually found the Routeburn more diverse and varied than Milford. I booked Milford a year in advance but met others who snuck in due to late cancelations. I've also climbed Mount Taranaki which was stunning at the summit still covered in snow even in Feb. I'd love to do the Abel Tasman, Kepler and Tongariro at some point also. All are brilliantly maintained and run, the Kiwis manage their walks and system so well! The off season would be a little more challenging as the huts don't have any gas facilities so you would need to bring additional supplies.

 

[jinjincai]

Thanks for sharing, We are also planning to do the same.