Fees and bookings

Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts or campsites on the Tongariro Northern Circuit.

The Tongariro Northern Circuit Great Walk season operates from the Friday of Labour Weekend (late October) to the 30th of April. During this season advance reservations are required for all 4 huts and campsites. During the off-peak winter season a Backcountry Hut Pass or hut tickets are required. Fees must be paid before you start the track.

If you are considering walking the track during the off-peak winter season please read the walking season information.

Tongariro Northern Circuit fees

	Peak season.		Off-peak season.
	Adults (18+ yrs)	Youth/child* (5-17 yrs)	Adults (18+ yrs)	Youth/child (5-17 yrs)
Hut	$31.00	Free	$15.00	Free
Campsite	$20.40	Free	$5.00	Free

• Maximum stay periods apply. Peak: maximum 2 nights at huts and campsites. Off-peak: maximum 3 nights at huts, 5 nights at campsites.

How to book huts and campsites in peak season

You can make your own reservation for a hut or a campsite on this website, or at DOC visitor centres and bookings agents. If you are not booking online, booking fees may apply.

Before making your reservation

Make sure you read all the Tongariro Great Walk information provided here, and the terms and conditions below before making your reservation.

Great Walk reservations terms and conditions

• All visitors staying in Great Walk huts or campsites must have a valid Great Walk reservation (booking) and ticket (confirmation letter) during peak season.
• The Great Walk booking is not transferable.
• The Great Walk booking is only valid for the dates specified on the ticket.
• Great Walk bookings and tickets can not be obtained without payment.
• All prices are in New Zealand dollars and include GST (goods and services tax).
• Penalty fees of up to 100% of the Great Walk fee will apply to those who do not have a valid Great Walk ticket with them on the track during peak season.
• Group purchases of more than 12 people are not permitted.

Commercial groups

A concession (an official authorisation) is required to operate any commercial activity in an area managed by the Department of Conservation. Concessions are required for but not restricted to: guiding (including tramping, walking, fishing, hunting, climbing/ski tours, kayaking/canoeing); transport services; and commercial education or instruction activities. Great Walk Tickets on the Tongariro Northern Circuit may not be purchased by commercial operators. Find out more about concessions.

Discounts

A 10% discount is available to members, staff and instructors of the Mountain Safety Council, Federated Mountain Clubs, NZ Deer Stalkers Association and NZ Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) who also hold a valid Backcountry Hut Pass. To receive the discount, a manual booking is required at a DOC visitor centre - locally at the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre. Your membership card and Backcountry Hut Pass details must be supplied upon booking. A booking fee will not be charged where a discount is being claimed.

Alterations and cancellations policy

Transferring dates

Changing the dates of your Great Walk booking may incur an alteration fee. If you make the alteration at least 2 days before the existing start date you will not incur a penalty fee. If you change the dates of your Great Walk booking less than 2 days before the start date you will forfeit your first nights' accommodation fee. Changes cannot be made on or after the start date.

Note: Great Walk bookings may only be transferred to another date within the current period/season.

Alterations and cancellations

If you wish to make changes to the huts or campsites you have booked, or if you wish to cancel all or part of your Great Walk booking, you may incur an alteration fee. You may also incur a penalty fee based on the facilities altered or cancelled. Fees charged are calculated from the original Great Walk booking start date, or if the Great Walk booking has been transferred to an earlier date, fees will be calculated from the earlier date.

Time of cancellation	Percent refunded	Cancellation fee
More than 10 days before the start date and within 48 hours of making the booking	100%	0%
More than 10 days before the start of the booking and more than 48 hours of making the booking	75%	25%
Between 3 and 10 days before the start date	50%	50%
Between 1 and 2 days before the start date	0%	100%
On or after the start date	0%	100%
Medical circumstances that prevent visitor walking the track - must be accompanied by a medical certificate	80%	20%

Adverse weather

Severe weather or adverse track conditions may require DOC to temporarily advise against use of the track. If this occurs bookings during this period can be cancelled. Visitors already on the track may be required to exit the track (in such an event hut wardens onsite will provide instruction). A full refund will be given on the unused services. Alternatively, cancelled Great Walk bookings can be transferred to another date once the track reopens. Contact the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre to arrange a refund or to transfer your booking.

Credit card details

For your own security, we do not hold credit card details. If you need to make a manual alteration or cancellation, you must provide your credit card details again (by phone or fax) to the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre. Sending credit card details by email is not considered secure.

Travel insurance

We recommend you arrange travel insurance to guard against the loss of costs associated with cancellation or delay of your trip. DOC will not be liable for injury, damage or any costs incurred by intending visitors and is unable to rearrange transport and accommodation bookings if delays should occur.

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