The Great Walks are the department's premier walking tracks, through areas of some of the best scenery in the country. The huts and tracks on the Great Walks are of a higher standard than other tramping tracks, and many of the Great Walks have booking systems to manage visitor pressure. Find out about booking online.
A moderate tramp, the Waikaremoana Great Walk is located in Te Urewera National Park. The tramp climbs up the Panekire Ridge before winding round parts of Lake Waikaremoana
Winding its way over Mt Tongariro and around Mt Ngauruhoe is the Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of the Great Walks of New Zealand.
Paddle the Whanganui on a 145-km journey from Taumarunui to Pipiriki. A shorter canoe trip from Whakahoro to Pipiriki is also possible. Although a river journey, the Whanganui is part of the Great Walks network.
Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, is an easy 3 – 5 day tramp that features stunning coastal views and tremendous beaches.
The 78.4 km Heaphy Track is the longest of the DOC Great Walks. Located in Kahurangi National Park, the track crosses expansive tussock downs, lush forests, and stunning coastline.
Traversing 32 km through Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park, the Routeburn Track can be walked in conjunction with the Greenstone or Caples tracks.
Beginning at the head of Lake Te Anau and ending at Milford Sound, the 53.5 km Milford Track is in the heart of spectacular Fiordland National Park.
Traversing through spectacular scenery in Fiordland National Park, the 60 km Kepler Track is a moderate walking track that takes three to four days to complete.
The Rakiura Track Great Walk is found on Stewart Island/Rakiura, just a 20 minute flight from Invercargill or an hour by ferry from Bluff.