The Best New Zealand Hikes You Can Do In A Day

New Zealand is renowned for its spectacular, breathtaking, unspoilt landscapes - and one of the best ways to experience them is on foot. A New Zealand motorhome will get you close to the action, and then you can set off on an adventure so grand, so magnificent, you may never want to go home. Get a taste of Middle Earth with just two feet and a heartbeat on these six amazing walks.

NORTH ISLAND

Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tongariro National Park

Go if you like: Volcanoes, dramatic landscapes

Time: Seven - eight hours (longer if you decide to climb Mt. Ngauruhoe along the way)

Distance: 19 km one way

Getting there: This is a one-way track, with most lodges in the National Park offering shuttles that will transfer you from the Ketetahi car park where you’ll finish the trail, to the beginning of the hike at the Mangatepopo car park.

Lauded as New Zealand’s best day hike, if you’re after a walk through beautiful scenery on the way from Auckland to Wellington, this one packs a punch. From dramatic peaks and famous volcanoes (Mount Ngauruhoe features as Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings films) to emerald lakes and impressive craters, you’ll have plenty to feast your eyes on along the way. This hike takes a full day, so get up early to make the best of it. Always check the forecast before setting out, as bad weather can make the hike incredibly dangerous due to the alpine conditions.

Image: Nicolas Aub (own work), (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Cape Kidnappers Walking Track, Hawke's Bay

Go if you like: Birdlife, wild coastal landscapes

Time: 5 hours

Distance: 19 km

Getting there: There’s a motor camp at Clifton, where the hike begins. Alternatively, it’s a half hour drive from both Napier and Hastings.

Once you’ve taken your campervan out for a spin amongst the vineyards of the Hawke’s Bay region, head to Cape Kidnappers for some fresh coastal air. On this hike, you’ll get to see some of the north island’s distinctive wildlife, including Australasia’s largest accessible gannet colony. Check the tides before you set out, as this is a beach walk only accessible at low tide.

Image: David Schmitz (own work), (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

Kauaeranga Kauri Trail, Coromandel

Go if you like: History, forest scenery

Time: 8 hours

Distance: 14 km (including a side trip to the top of the Pinnacles)

Getting there: From Thames, turn onto Banks Road, veer right onto Parawai Road, and follow it as it turns into Kauaeranga Valley Road. Continue past the visitor’s centre along the unsealed road to the very end, where there’s a car park.

This track combines stunning views of the Coromandel Peninsula with the North Island’s fascinating logging history. The trail follows a packhouse route from the 1920s during the height of kauri logging in the area. Hike up to the Pinnacles Hut to rest before continuing on the final ascent to The Pinnacles summit itself, which is well worth the many steps and spot of rock climbing you’ll need to do to reach it.

South Island

Roys Peak Track, Wanaka

Go if you like: Instagrammable views

Time: Five to six hours

Distance: 16 km loop

Getting there: From Wanaka, head north-west along Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road to the Roys Peak Track car park, where you can park your motorhome at the beginning of the trail. In peak season the car park can get full, so consider going very early or parking in Wanaka and walking or cycling to the track.

The Roys Peak Track is one of the most iconic New Zealand day hikes due to its incredible views over Lake Wanaka and Mount Aspiring. It’s a steep climb - only attempt this one if you have a reasonable level of fitness - but it’s worth every arduous step for the utterly jaw-dropping scenery.

Image: Andrea Schaffer (own work), (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

Hooker Valley Track, Canterbury

Go if you like: Mountains and glaciers

Time: 3 hrs

Distance: 10 km

Getting there: The Hooker Valley Track is a must-do on any South Island road trip. The beginning of the track is a five-minute drive from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village. You’ll be able to park in one of the car parks at the end of Hooker Valley Road. If you’re visiting in the off-season or get lucky, you might land a park at the White Horse Hill campsite right at the start of the trail, so you can simply get up and go.

If you want to get some great alpine views without working up too much of a sweat, this is the perfect hike for you. It’s relatively flat, and you’ll get to witness remarkable glaciers, alpine streams, mountain peaks and lakes. If that’s not enough - at the end, you’ll encounter a breathtaking view of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak.

Mount Robert Circuit, Nelson

Go if you like: Beautiful views, birdlife

Time: 5 hours

Distance: 10 km

Getting there: From Nelson, head southwest along State Highway 6 until you reach St Arnaud. Take the SH 63 for 2 kilometres, then turn onto Mount Robert Road and follow it until you reach the carpark at the end.

This hike takes you around the base of Mount Robert in Nelson Lakes National Park, passing through diverse landscapes including beech forest, alpine shrub and scree. On a clear day, expect beautiful views overlooking Lake Rotoiti. There are steep sections on this track, but it’s well signposted and marked, so suitable for beginners with a reasonable level of fitness.

IMPORTANT DAY HIKING TIPS

Before you head off on one of these amazing adventures, make sure you adequately prepare:

● Pack clothes and gear for all weather conditions as the weather in all parts of New Zealand is highly changeable.

● Tell somebody your plans before you set off.

● Take valuables with you and lock your motorhome, as theft can often occur in car parks.

There you have it - six hikes you can do in a day, before hopping back into your motorhome to continue your journey around New Zealand.

 

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