New Zealand Hiking: Best Hikes in South Island New Zealand
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Welcome to Aotearoa, “land of the long white cloud”, best known as New Zealand!
With sprawling green hillsides, sharp peaks that cascade into the stars, and lakes bluer than the sky, New Zealand is one of the most picturesque places in the entire world.
The scenery all over the South Island is reminiscent of the most eye-catching landscape paintings – so beautiful, they must have been crafted by an omnipotent painter with a magical paintbrush.
New Zealand is a work of art.
The adventurous will travel to kayak among mountains formed by glaciers.
The curious will venture to discover ancient traditions and learn about south island folklore.
The brave will journey to experience thrill-seeking acts of courage (care to bungee jump off Kawarau Bridge?).
Adventurous. Curious. Brave. Three of the many qualities that describe me as a traveler. I wanted to see and do it all in New Zealand’s South Island.
I wanted to immerse myself in the beguiling landscapes that so effortlessly captured the attention of travelers that visited New Zealand before me.
I had one goal for my trip to New Zealand: traverse (by foot) the captivating landscapes!
In this blog post I’ll discuss my favorite hikes in New Zealand’s South Island!
Whether you’re a beginner hiker or a professional mountaineer, there’s a mountain for everyone to climb!
New Zealand Hiking Tips
Be prepared with necessary hiking gear, sunscreen, snacks and plenty of water!
While many of New Zealand’s “Great Walks” are beginner friendly, several peaks are DIFFICULT! It’s better to be over prepared than underprepared!
Check the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) for closure and weather updates!
Some tracks/hikes are not suitable for winter conditions!
Weather can be unpredictable!
Check the forecast often.
Leave no trace.
New Zealand is committed to preserving the natural landscapes. Leave the trails as beautiful as you found them!
What to Pack for Hiking In New Zealand
Sunscreen
I never go anywhere without my blue lizard mineral sunscreen! Whether you’re a beginner hiker or planning to climb to the top of Aoraki/Mt.Cook, you’ll want to be well-equipped with a good bottle of sunscreen. The weather can change in an instant, going from cloudy and cool to bright and sunny!
Hiking Boots and Poles
As I ascended the rocky trail of Ben Lomond, one of the most popular, yet difficult hikes in Queenstown, I wished I had a sturdier pair of hiking shoes and hiking poles for support. There are a variety of options for the hiker you are – from trail runners to full-ankle support boots. If you’re planning on making the purchase for your trip to New Zealand, you won’t regret it! Here are my recommended beginner hiking boots: men’s hiking boots and women’s hiking boots.
First Aid Kit
Even the most advanced hikers will carry a first aid kit on longer trails. Sometimes injury happens when we least expect it, even at our strongest. A first aid kit is always a good item to carry in your pack, if not for you, then someone else on the trail who needs help! I bought this first aid kit for my recent backcountry trip to Kyrgyzstan, and I’ll continue to bring it hiking until I need to replace it!
Reusable Water Bottle
If “leave no trace” was king of the world, New Zealand would sit on that throne! A reusable water bottle like this nearly indestructible Nalgene is a must-have item when you travel to the sustainable-friendly island of New Zealand.
Organic, Eco-friendly Bug Spray
I was VERY surprised by the amount of sandflies at Milford Sound. I didn’t think that a chilly place like Milford Sound would attract so many bugs! According to New Zealand legend, the goddess of death, Hinenui-te-Po, released sandflies into Milford Sound to keep people away from the beautiful landscapes. My best advice, BRING BUG SPRAY (preferably non-toxic, organic bug spray)!
Photography Gear
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. As an amateur photographer (constantly learning!), even my basic landscape shots looked like EPIC postcards. If you have a camera, bring it!
Getting Around the South Island: Car or Camper Van Rental
If you plan an EPIC South Island road trip, you’ll probably want to rent a car or a camper van. For my ten-day New Zealand South Island road trip, I rented a car to drive from Queenstown to Christchurch.
Renting a car gives you freedom to drive anywhere you want in New Zealand…and in the land of adventure, side quests are highly recommended! To search for a car in your budget, I recommend using a booking platform like Discover Cars which make finding a rental for your budget and needs easy!
Otherwise, if you plan to fly into Queenstown or Christchurch Airport, you can rent from Budget or Avis car rentals. I like these companies because I get bonus miles with my credit card which can make future adventures more affordable.
Renting a camper van is another incredible option for traveling around New Zealand’s South Island. This “glamping” approach invites thousands of rugged adventures from around the world.
When you travel to New Zealand, you’ll find that every other car on the road is a camper van. Some of the best van rental companies include JUCY, the “green machine” you’ll see everywhere in New Zealand, and Star RV Rental, the comfortable, family-friendly motorhome rental company.
Like reserving a bed in a hostel, you’ll want to plan in advance to make sure campgrounds or motor parks are not filled up!
Best Hikes in the New Zealand South Island
New Zealand South Island Hiking Map
Here’s my small-but-growing list of the best New Zealand South Island hikes!
Download this map and comment below this post about your favorite hikes in New Zealand!
Hiking in Milford Sound
I heard whispers about a mythical land where prominent mountains transcend above the clouds.
Believed to be protected by the Māori goddess of death, Hine-nui-te-pō, Milford Sound had earned the reputation for being the most beautiful place on earth.
With powerful waterfalls descending from the clouds, and a biodiverse landscape characteristic of a rainforest (fun fact: Milford Sound is both a fjord and a rainforest!), its reputation is honorably deserved.
The epic scenery of Milford Sound can be seen from a cruise, or by foot.
Here are some incredible hikes to explore the grandeur of Milford Sound:
Milford Sound Lookout Track
EASY
The Milford Sound Lookout Track is a short, easy 0.2 mile walk with incredible views of the prominent mountains in the sound.
Giant Gate Falls Walk
EASY
Starting from the Deepwater Basin boat ramp, this 6.8 mile walk offers incredible views of waterfalls and mountains.
Transport is required via water taxi to and from Sandfly point, where the walk begins. Giant Gate Falls Walk is a picturesque walk through the stunning scenery of Milford Sound and I highly recommend you start early! New Zealand “walks” are very popular!
Lake Marian Track
MODERATE
With mountains formed by glaciers and crystal blue lakes, Lake Marian Track is a beautiful 1.9-mile hike, just a short drive away from Milford Sound. Continue all the way to Lake Marian and a picturesque mountain landscape will be revealed!
Hiking in Queenstown
My favorite place in all of New Zealand is an extraordinary town nestled between the Remarkables and several tall peaks worthy of a difficult climb.
As the adventure capital of New Zealand, there’s a wide range of adventure activities for brave travelers including bungee jumping, paragliding, and biking in summer, and skiing in the winter.
Hiking in Queenstown is nothing short of exceptional, although many of the peaks are difficult, especially for beginners!
Consider the following hikes when visiting Queenstown:
Ben Lomond
DIFFICULT
From Queenstown’s gondola which ascends high above the peaceful South Island town, is the start of the town’s most popular hike. Ben Lomond Track is known for its breathtaking 360º views of Queenstown and the mountains that surround it.
At nearly seven miles and over 1,400 meters of elevation gain, hiking Ben Lomond in Queenstown is no easy feat! But it is 1000% worth the 6–7 hours of trekking! This was my favorite hike in New Zealand!
Brow Peak Loop
DIFFICULT
Nearly thirty minutes from Queenstown is a small historic mining town called Arrowtown, the gateway to the Central Otago Scenic Route.
The Brow Peak Loop is a challenging 10.1 mile hike starting from Arrowtown that offers scenic views of the quaint town below. Varied terrain makes this hike a treacherous, yet valuable journey, so proper hiking gear is recommended!
Hiking in Wānaka
The first stop on my South Island road trip after spending five days in Queenstown, was a peaceful town called Wānaka.
Lake Wānaka and the adjacent Mt. Aspiring National Park offers visitors stunning mountain, glacier, and lake scenery. I loved Wānaka, as it felt like a quieter, more peaceful Queenstown.
In Wānaka, my favorite experience was horse trekking around the lake with Wānaka Horse Trekking. The hiking was equally incredible too!
Below are some of the BEST hikes in Wānaka:
Roy’s Peak
DIFFICULT
Considered to be one of New Zealand South Island’s most popular hikes, Roy’s Peak is a difficult 10-mile hike that provides incredible views over Lake Wānaka and Mt. Aspiring. Many tourists will wake early to hike before the sunrise! Note, this trail has limited shade – make sure to bring sunscreen and lots of water!
Isthmus Peak
DIFFICULT
Located just thirty minutes from Wānaka is another popular hike called Isthmus Peak. Much like Roy’s Peak, Isthmus Peak is a 10-mile hike with views of Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, and the southern alps. Hoping to skip the crowds on Roy’s Peak? Isthmus Peak is an equivalent hike with exceptional views!
Hiking in Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park
According to indigenous legend, the sons of Rakinui, the Sky Father, capsized while voyaging the ocean.
Aoraki and his brothers perished, freezing to stone from the frigid South Island winds. Their canoe became the South Island, while the brothers became peaks of the southern alps.
Those pictures of snow-capped New Zealand mountains and turquoise lakes you see all over the internet? That’s Aoraki/Mt. Cook and Lake Pukaki nearby.
The tallest mountain in New Zealand, Aoraki/Mt. Cook is climbed by mountaineers all over the world as preparation for summiting the world’s tallest peaks.
One of the first New Zealanders to climb Mt. Everest named Sir Edmund Hillary, trained on Mt. Cook to develop his climbing skills to summit the Nepalese giant.
Here is an incredibly breathtaking beginner hiking trail in Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park:
Hooker Valley Track
EASY
One of the most incredible tracks in all of New Zealand for its exceptional views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, the Hooker Valley Track is visited by tourists all over the world.
Limited elevation gain and a 6.2-mile walk among the giant southern alps makes this track a fun adventure for everyone! Because of its popularity, Hooker Valley Track can get very crowded during the summers. I recommend starting as early as possible for a more peaceful walk to the glacier.
Additionally, check the New Zealand Department of Conservation’s website frequently to note weather conditions and track closures!
Have fun hiking in New Zealand! I can’t wait to go back someday soon and explore more of the incredible landscapes of New Zealand!
Want to explore even MORE New Zealand content?
Check out my latest New Zealand blog Posts BELOW
EPIC New Zealand South Island Itinerary: A 10-Day Road Trip
Bungee Jumping in New Zealand: Facing My Fears at Kawarau Bridge
Best Things to Do in Queenstown: New Zealand’s Adventure Capital
