Booking dates for Aotearoa New Zealand’s Great Walks season 2023/24 will re-open from tomorrow, Tuesday 11 July 2023 after technical difficulties forced a postponement. 

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has confirmed that extensive testing has taken place to ensure that there will be no repeat of the system crashing. 

Bookings will re-open at 9.30AM for the Great Walks on the DOC website(opens in new window) over the following dates: 

• Tongariro Northern Circuit(opens in new window) | Tuesday, 11 July 2023 
• Rakiura Track(opens in new window) | Wednesday, 12 July 2023 
• Paparoa Track(opens in new window) | Thursday, 13 July 2023 
• Abel Tasman Coast Track(opens in new window) | Tuesday, 18 July 2023  
• Whanganui Journey(opens in new window) | Wednesday, 19 July 2023 
• Kepler Track(opens in new window) | Thursday, 20 July 2023 
• Routeburn Track(opens in new window) | Tuesday, 25 July 2023 
• Heaphy Track(opens in new window) | Wednesday, 26 July 2023 

The Milford Track is already completely booked out, while the Lake Waikaremoana Track is currently closed due to damage. The Heaphy Track can only be booked from either end up until 19 October 2023 due to storm damage – it's expected the track will be open as a through trip from this date. 

Aotearoa New Zealand’s Great Walks are the country’s premier multi-day hiking tracks, offering unparalleled access to epic landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage. The Great Walks season runs from late October to late April.

While most people hike the tracks independently, there are several operators across the motu (country) who offer guided walks. We’ve highlighted just a few. 

• Walking Legends(opens in new window) – join a four-day adventure around Lake Waikaremoana with an experienced guide. Enjoy New Zealand wine and beer, and three-star chalet accommodation. 
• Adrift Tongariro(opens in new window) – soak up the otherworldly landscapes of the Tongariro Northern Circuit with an expert guide (porter on request). All meals included with vegetarian options available. 
• Whanganui River Canoes(opens in new window) – this locally owned and operated company offers three-day canoeing trips down the Whanganui River. Suitable for children aged seven years and above. 
• Wilderness Guides(opens in new window) – enjoy the comforts of home with this four-day, guided gourmet walk of the Queen Charlotte Track, staying at handpicked lodges along the way. 
• Wilson’s(opens in new window) – experience the golden bays, lush forest and blue waters of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, staying at beachfront lodges and luggage transferred by boat each day! 
• Simply Wild Journeys(opens in new window) – helicopter into and out of Kahurangi National Park for a day’s walking along part of the Heaphy Track, ending on the beaches of the South Island’s wild west coast. 
• Ultimate Hikes(opens in new window) – explore the Routeburn and Milford Tracks in the company of experienced guides with all meals, snacks, transport and accommodation included. 
• Hollyford Wilderness Experience(opens in new window) – an “All Inclusive multi-day adventure” for small groups. Sleep in lodges with private en-suite bathrooms and dine on three delicious meals a day. 
• Trips & Tramps(opens in new window) – a family-owned business with more than 30 years' experience guiding small groups on day trips of the Kepler, Milford and Routeburn Tracks. 
• Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track(opens in new window) – a fully guided and catered small groups trek of the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track. Includes a short helicopter flights and exclusive use of lodges. 
• Ruggedy Range™(opens in new window) – hike through coastal forest, listen out for kiwi in the evenings and only carry personal belongings on this guided trip of Stewart Island’s Rakiura Track. 

 For more operators offering guided walks, head over to newzealand.com(opens in new window)