Fees and bookings

Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts or campsites on the Tongariro Northern Circuit. There are no fees for park entry.

The Tongariro Northern Circuit Great Walk season operates from Labour Weekend (late October) to the end of Queen's Birthday Weekend (early June). During this season you must pay your fees by purchasing a Great Walk Ticket. During off-peak 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 season please read the walking season information.

• 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 obtain a Great Walk Ticket

Purchase your Great Walk Ticket from one of the selected offices before you start the track. A booking is not required, however the dates of your trip will be recorded on your Ticket.

Before purchasing your Great Walk Ticket

Make sure you read all the Tongariro Great Walk information provided in this section, and the terms and conditions below before you purchase your Great Walk Ticket.

Great Walk Ticket terms and conditions

• All visitors staying in Great Walk huts or campsites must have a valid Great Walk Ticket during peak season.
• The Great Walk Ticket is not transferable. 
• The Great Walk Ticket is only valid for the dates specified on the Ticket.
• Great Walk 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 Ticket 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 of the Mountain Safety Council, Federated Mountain Club and NZ Deer Stalkers Association and instructors holding a valid Backcountry Hut Pass. To receive the discount, you will need to make a manual booking at a DOC visitor centre or via 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 Ticket will incur a $10 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 Ticket 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 Tickets 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 obtained a Great Walk Ticket for or if you wish to cancel all or part of your Great Walk Ticket you will incur a $10 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 Ticket start date, or if the Great Walk Ticket has been transferred to an earlier date, fees will be calculated from the earlier date.

Track closures

Severe weather or adverse track conditions may require DOC to temporarily close the track. If this occurs all bookings during this period will be cancelled. Visitors already on the track may be required to exit the track (in such an event warden’s onsite will provide instruction). A full refund will be given on the unused services. Alternatively, cancelled Great Walk Tickets 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 Ticket.

Credit card details

For your own security, we do not hold credit card details on our system or in our offices. If you need to make a manual alteration or cancellation you must therefore phone or fax your credit card details again to the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre. Sending credit card details by email is not recommended for security reasons.

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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