Best tracks that are NOT great walks?

I can't comment on the best places to go, but you'll probably save lots of money on the hut tickets for the non-great-walk huts if you look into getting a Hut Pass, which costs $92 for 6 months. It'll tend to pay itself off if you're planning to spend more than 6-8 nights in huts, depending on specifically where you go. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/backcountry-hut-information/fees-and-bookings/hut-passes/ Just keep in mind that a few very popular huts are still on DoC's booking system, and a hut pass doesn't usually count.

Just an update on my track experience; I've done a few day hikes around Australia, but only started doing multi-day hikes a few months ago while in Tasmania cycling on my bicycle. I hiked the Tasman Coastal trail with Cape Pillar - 4 days. Fraycinet - 2 days. Walls of Jerusalem with Lake Meston - 4 days. Cradle Mountain via Scott Kilver Memorial Hut - 2 days. Mt. Field West upper circuit via k-col and rodway ridge and tarn shelf (excluding the peak) - 8 hours. I tend to walk slower when alone, but medium pace when with another person. I'm quite fit, but my knees don't seem to work well after 4 days of walking, so I've just bought myself a set of hiking staffs with camera mounts, will replace my monopod! I'd like to try up to 6 day hikes. I'm not sure if I can do longer as I eat A LOTTTT, about 750g to 1kg a day of food (I'm just 5'5" 64kg but have a high metabolism). I try eating 200-250g muesli for breakfast, 150g of nut mix + some spoonfuls of peanut butter + a packet of 95g tuna for lunch, and either 200g couscous with dried peas/corn or soup mix (barley, lintels, peas, beans). I tend to drink 4-5 liters a day which includes water for my muesli and cooking dinner. I don't like cold! Gives me nightmares.

Queens Charlotte track as a alternative to the Abel Tasman Coastal track. Quite a commercial and civilized walk, so unless tenting probably more expensive then a great walk. Travers - Sabine Circuit in the Nelson lakes national park. Wangapeka / Karamea tracks, a good alternative to the Heaphy Track. Although, could be lacking in alpine/coastal views. St James Walkway, Mt Richmond Alpine trail. Most technical of the walks I have recommended.

St James Hollyford Rees/Dart Wilkin

The great walk tracks are there for those looking for a wonderful experience but once you get the message, like you have, you will realise that there are many more wonderful experiences to be had for a cheaper price by doing other trips. You just have to do a bit more research. This site is a good place to start. Also look at the DOC site http://www.doc.govt.nz In addition there are plenty of guide books describing other trips. Non Great Walk Huts are often just as good as the Great Walk ones, the onlything you won't find in most is cooking gas. Some of the examples mentioned here are only the beginning. With your fear of cold, don't worry. Cold is a lot easier to deal with than heat. Just go and get yourself some good thermal clothes and a good sleeping bag. You can always layer up with more clothes. Have a great time and the hut pass is definitely the way to go.

Take a look at the coastal route from Cascade (south of Jackson Bay)to Martins Bay then link with the Hollyford track out to Te Anau. Allow 8 days approx. If you enjoy coastal scenery and wildlife you will enjoy. Read the route details in Moirs Guide North. I did this tramp in Dec 2010 and would be happy to share experiences in detail.