New Zealand
One of our favorite places on the planet, New Zealand's beaches, mountains, fjords and plains will leave you speechless any time of year. The Southern Alps are home to some incredible hiking and trekking (or tramping, as the locals say). On the north island, find world class surf in Raglan, volcanic trekking on Tongariro, and emerald water in Coromandel.
Top Spots in and near New Zealand
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Ashburton Lakes, New Zealand
Mountain Bike to Boundary Creek Hut
The track to Boundary Creek Hut follows an old 4WD track for about 9 km () with minimal height gain on the way in. Not long into the ride, you will pass another 4WD track with marker poles – this heads to the Garden of Eden (not the glacier one), so keep on the main track.About 2 km (1.2 miles) f...Read more -
Kinloch, New Zealand
Day Hike the Routeburn Track
20.5 mi / 4100 ft gainNew Zealand's incredible Routeburn Track is popular for a reason, and to this day it is still one of the most beautiful hikes I've done. Usually backpacked in 3-4 days, this 20 mile hike is possible to do in one! During Great Walks season (October through April), huts and campsites along the tra...Read more -
Maruia, New Zealand
Hike the Lewis Pass Tops Route
5.6 mi / 2624.7 ft gainPark at the well marked Saint James Walkway Car Park. You will find the Lewis Pass Tops Trail Head across the street. The trail begins by climbing steeply through beech forest and then breaks through the tree line before arriving at the ridge crest. The maintained trail ends here but the route is...Read more -
Castle Hill, New Zealand
Climb Mt. Cloudsley
5.08.7 mi / 3937 ft gainPark at the Hogsback Trailhead in Castle Hill Village. Follow the Hogsback trail by staying to the right at both upcoming "Y" intersections. Once you reach the bush edge, Long Spur and Mt Cloudsley come into view. Break off from the trail aiming for the toe of Long Spur. Then climb along the cres...Read more -
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Hike to Mount Aicken Summit
5.03 mi / 3608.9 ft gainThe trail starts at the carpark to the famous Devils Punchbowl Falls and heads up towards the falls themselves before taking a turn up and to the right. You'll pass through the forest before the trees lower in height and you'll have amazing views across to the south over to Mount Rolleston and Av...Read more -
Glendhu Bay, New Zealand
Hike to Rocky Mountain
4 mi / 1476.4 ft gainThis is an awesome hike with views similar to Roy Peak but more varied terrain (and less of a climb as the mountain only hits 775m. The drive is only ~10 minutes outside Wanaka. From the Diamond Lake trailhead, follow the track from the end of the car park towards Diamond Lake. From the Lake, fol...Read more -
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Whale Watch in Kaikoura
A couple hours north of Christchurch, New Zealand sits the very small tourist and fishing town of Kaikoura. The drive from Christchurch brings up up along the coast to where it hugs the reaching foothills of the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean. Once you reach the town, there is plenty to see ...Read more -
Paparoa National Park, New Zealand
Walk the Truman Track in Paparoa National Park
1 mi / 15 ft gainJust a couple miles north of the Punakaiki Beach Camp in Paparoa National Park along the West Coast of New Zealand is this very short yet very rewarding walk. Parking is just feet south of the Te Nikau Retreat access road and right across the well marked and maintained Truman Track trail head on ...Read more -
Treble Cone, New Zealand
Hike to the Summit of Treble Cone
4 mi / 2296.6 ft gainIf you're in Wanaka, you cannot miss this hike. If the ski area is closed for the season you can still hike there but please check in with the Treble Cone Office in Wanaka. Begin at the ski field parking area and climb among snow slops and service roads, alternatively ascend the ridge on the far ...Read more -
Renwick, New Zealand
Bike Tour Renwick Wineries
10 miThe starting point for this adventure is anywhere in Renwick, New Zealand. We just parked on a side street off the beaten path where they did not have any parking restrictions. There is obviously a lot of variation of which path to follow while doing this bike tour. The route we did isn't necessa...Read more -
Springfield, New Zealand
Hike to Foggy Peak Summit
5.02 mi / 3280.8 ft gainThe Foggy Peak trail is an unmarked path leading from the carpark at the top of Porters Pass to the summit of Foggy Peak. The clouds can get very low here so be sure to bring a GPS or be knowledgeable in the mountains. From the carpark just duck under the fence and head on up to the top. The way ...Read more -
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Backpack to Carrington Hut
11 mi / 350 ft gainWith peaks rising thousands of meters on every side of you and a wide-open valley to tramp in, the hike to Carrington Hut does feel quite like you're walking in a movie set. After walking a day up the Waimakariri Valley you'll reach this 36-bunk DOC hut, which requires a DOC hut pass to stay the ...Read more -
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Hike to Summit of Mount Bealey
5.05 mi / 3608.9 ft gainThe hike to Mount Bealey starts in the town of Arthurs Pass at 750m above sea level. Take the road back towards Christchurch from the centre of the village and you'll cross a river, take the first right and head up Mount Bealey Road until you see a car park on the right hand side.From here the hi...Read more -
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Climb Mount B'Limit
6 mi / 4000 ft gainBegin your adventure by hiking up the Temple Basin Ski Field access trail. Continue beyond the Ski huts to the upper basin below Mt Temple and B'Limit. Continue hiking under the rope tows to the saddle where the views will surly take your breath away.Once at the saddle mount the ridge-top to clim...Read more -
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
Hike the Avalanche Peak - Crow River Valley Traverse
2.3 mi / -2624.7 ft gainThe beginning starts with the popular day hike climb up Avalanche Peak in Arthur’s Pass, NZ. You can view that route on the Outbound here. Scott’s Track up is a bit longer but less steep and with better views so I’d recommend taking that up. Should only take around 2-3 hours, but you’ll want to s...Read more -
Inangahua, New Zealand
Mountain Bike the Old Ghost Road
52.2 mi / 5577.4 ft gainThe Old Ghost Road is an intermediate-advanced backcountry single-track mountain bike trail in New Zealand. It takes 1-4 days to complete, with most people doing the ride in two days. It's in the West Coast region (the upper South Island) and runs from the historic mining settlement of Lyell in t...Read more
