New Zealand national parks are diverse and beautiful, offering some famous tracks and some of the best walking in the country. However, some excellent tracks and walking areas lie outside national parks, and should not be overlooked.
North Island
Te Urewera
Remote, inaccessible, and rugged park of forests, lakes. Famous walk: Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk (3-4 days). More...
Tongariro
The country's first national park, including the geothermal heart of the North Island. Volcanoes, sulphur, and snow. Famous walks: Tongariro Alpine Crossing (1 day), Tongariro Northern Circuit (3-4 days), Round-the-Mountain Track (4-5 days). More...
Whanganui
Lowland forests surrounding New Zealand' longest navigable river. Perhaps the best way to explore the park is by kayak on the river itself. Famous walk: Matemateaonga Track (3-4 days). More...
Egmont
A near-circular park surrounding the Taranaki Volcano. Famous walks: Mount Taranaki Summit Track (1 day), Pouakai Circuit (2-3 days). More...
South Island
Kahurangi
Large park at the top of the South Island including a great variety of landscapes and habitats. Coastal palm forest, high tussock plateaus, wild rivers. Famous walks: Heaphy Track (4-6 days), Wangapeka Track (4-6 days), Mount Arthur Tableland (2 days), 1000 Acre Plateau (3-4 days), Leslie-Karamea Track (6-9 days). More...
Abel Tasman
A small coastal park famous for its golden sand beaches and shallow estuaries. The coastline is granite and limestone, and the walking is relaxed. Coastal views, swimming, kayaking, crowds. Famous walks: Abel Tasman Coast Track (3-5 days), Inland Track (3 days). More...
Nelson Lakes
Including the northernmost extend of the Southern Alps, this park includes the long Lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti. Lakes, long valleys, forests, and alpine passes. Famous walks: Lake Angelus (2-3 days), Travers-Sabine Circuit (4-7 days). More...
Paparoa
A coastal park protecting a beautiful pocket of karst landscape. Rugged palm beaches, striking limestone canyons. Famous walk: Inland Pack Track (2-3 days). More...
Arthur's Pass
Close to Christchurch, is well used by trampers but commonly overlooked by visitors to the country. A rugged park with minimal backcountry facilities. Famous walks: Three Passes (4-5 days), Avalanche Peak (1 day), Mingha-Deception Rivers (2-3 days), Harper Pass (4-5 days). More...
Westland Tai Poutini
Forests, glaciers, and coastline west of Mount Cook. Famous walks: Copland Pass (3 days), Copland Track - Welcome Flat Hot Springs (2 days). More...
Aoraki / Mount Cook
A climber's park including the snowy mountains around the country's highest peak. Options for trampers are limited, although there are some good day walks. Famous walks: Mueller Hut (1-2 days), Ball Pass (2-3 days). More...
Mount Aspiring
This park near Wanaka features Mount Aspiring, and offers plenty of options for both trampers and climbers. Long valleys, glaciers, high mountains. Famous walks: Routeburn Track (2-3 days), Rees-Dart Track (4-5 days), French Ridge (2-4 days). More...
Fiordland
The deep, glacier-carved valleys and fjords of the southwest corner of the country. Large, remote, wild and wet. Famous walks: Routeburn Track (2-3 days), Dusky Track (8-9 days), Hollyford Track (4 days), Kepler Track (3-4 days), Milford Track (4 days). More...
Stewart Island
Rakiura
This park includes 85% of Stewart Island. The island is famous for birdlife, remote serenity, and mud. Famous walks: Rakiura Track (3 days), North West Circuit (9-11 days), Southern Circuit (4-6 days). More...
World Heritage Areas
New Zealand has three world heritage areas:
- Tongariro National Park (1990)
This park has geological and ecological significance, along with cultural and religious values to Maori. - Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand (1990)
Landscape of glaciation, forests, lakes in the southwest corner of the South Island. This area includes Fiordland, Aoraki, and Westland National Parks. - New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands (1998)
These islands feature unique plant and bird species, including the striking "megaherbs." They are key breeding colonies for a variety of seabirds. There is no easy access to these islands.