The South Island is home to some the best great walks in New Zealand

We’ve been out walking all over the South Island and written about our journeys. See the best walking trails in the South Island. This page lists the towns, cities and areas in the South Island where there is great walking and hiking.  Click into an area to view all the walks, each hike has stunning photos, trail details, location map, points of interest and much more.

Abel Tasman Coast Track Walk - South Island New Zealand - Copyright Freewalks NZ

Abel Tasman National Park Walks and Hiking

Abel Tasman National Park hosts some of the best walking and hiking New Zealand has to offer. From short walks to longer hikes, find great New Zealand walks in Abel Tasman National Park.

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Free Alexandra Walking & Hiking Guide - Otago Region - New Zealand - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Alexandra Walks and Hiking

Find out why Alexandra is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Alexandra area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Alexandra has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Arrowtown Walks and Hikes - South Island - Copyright reewalks.nz_.jpg

Arrowtown walks and hiking

Just walking down the one way historic gold rush town main road is cool. There are plenty of excellent walks and biking from Arrowtown, check out our personal list.

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Christchurch walks and hiking in Canterbury - Avon River Walk -Copyright Freewalks.nz

Canterbury Region Walks

The Canterbury Region is home to some the best great walks in New Zealand We’ve been out walking all over the Canterbury Region and written …

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Christchurch walks and hiking in Canterbury - Avon River Walk -Copyright Freewalks.nz-4

Christchurch Walks & Hiking Guide

The best Christchurch walks include the banks of the Avon River, which meanders through the city centre. The green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens for more hikes.

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Clyde Walks and Hikes - Otago Region - South Island - Clyde Main Street - Copyright reewalks.nz

Clyde walks and hiking

Find out why Clyde is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Clyde area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Clyde has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Cromwell Walks and Hikes - Otago Region - South Island - Ruins on Bannockburn Sluicing walk - Copyright reewalks.nz

Cromwell walks and hiking

Find out why Cromwell is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Cromwell area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Cromwell has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Dunedin Walking & Hiking

Find out why Dunedin is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Dunedin area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Dunedin has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Fox Glacier Walks, South Island, New Zealand- Copyright Freewalks NZ

Fox Glacier walks and hiking

Find out why Fox Glacier is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Fox Glacier area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Fox Glacier has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Franz Josef walks - One way bridge in Franz Josef town - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Franz Josef Walks and Hiking

Our best walks would be Franz Josef Glacier walk & Callery Gorge walk for great views. I haven’t hiked up Roberts Point yet, but Garry has and the hard slog to get to the summit was well worth it especially on a sunny day for excellent views of Franz Josef Glacier.

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Free Geraldine Walking & Hiking Guide - Canterbury Region - New Zealand

Geraldine walks and hiking

Find out why Geraldine is a great place to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Geraldine area. Geraldine has plenty of great walking and hiking tracks.

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Greymouth walks and hiking, South Island, New Zealand - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Greymouth walks and hiking

Find out why Greymouth is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Greymouth area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Greymouth has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Haast Walks and Hikes - Otago Region - South Island - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Haast walks and hiking

Find out why Haast is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Haast area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Haast has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Havelock Walks, South Island, New Zealand

Havelock walks and hiking

Find out why Havelock is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Havelock area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Havelock has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Hector walks and hiking, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand - Chasm Creek Walk -Copyright Freewalks.nz

Hector walks and hiking

Find out why Hector is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Hector area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Hector has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Walks and hiking in Hokitika, South Island, New Zealand - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Hokitika walks and hiking

Find out why Hokitika is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Hokitika area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Hokitika has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Kaikoura Walks, South Island, New Zealand, Copyright Freewalks NZ

Kaikoura walks and hiking

Find out why Kaikoura is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Kaikoura area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Kaikoura has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Lake Benmore Walking & Hiking Guide - Otago Region - New Zealand

Lake Benmore walks and hiking

Find out why Lake Benmore is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Lake Benmore area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Lake Benmore has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Lake Pukaki Walking & Hiking Guide - Southland Region - New Zealand

Lake Pukaki walks and hiking

Find out why Lake Pukaki is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Lake Pukaki area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Lake Pukaki has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Lake Tekapo Walking & Hiking Guide - Southland Region - New Zealand

Lake Tekapo walks and hiking

Our best walks in Lake Tekapo. Get 360 views from the top of Cowans Hill Walkway. Stunning views from Lake Tekapo Walkway. See track times, hiking length, quality, history and more.

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Lawrence Walks, South Island, New Zealand, Autumn on the Clutha Gold Bike Trail - Copyright Freewalks NZ

Lawrence walks and hiking

Find out why Lawrence is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Lawrence area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Lawrence has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Kaikoura Walks, South Island, New Zealand, Copyright Freewalks NZ

Lewis Pass walks and hiking

Find out why Lewis Pass is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Lewis Pass area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Lewis Pass has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Lyttelton walks and hiking in Christchurch Canterbury -Copyright Freewalks.nz-Bridle track

Lyttelton walks and hikes

Find out why Lyttelton is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Lyttelton area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Lyttelton has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Manapouri Walking & Hiking Guide - Southland Region - New Zealand

Manapouri walks and hiking

Our best walks in Manapouri. The walk to Fraser Beach from Manapouri Visitor center has great views. See track times, hiking length, quality, history and more.

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Free Milford Sound Walking & Hiking Guide - Southland Region - New Zealand-2

Milford Sound Walks

Discover our favourite short walks and full day hiking tracks in our Milford Sound walks guide.

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Motueka Walks, South Island, New Zealand, Copyright Freewalks NZ-2

Motueka walks and hiking

Find out why Motueka is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Motueka area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Motueka has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Mt Cook Walks, South Island, New Zealand -Hooker Glacier - Copyright Freewalks NZ

Mt Cook National Park walks and hiking

Find out why Mt Cook is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Mt Cook area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Mt Cook has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Mt Oxford Walks, South Island, New Zealand, Copyright Freewalks NZ

Mt Oxford walks and hiking

Find out why Mt Oxford is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Mt Oxford area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Mt Oxford has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Picton Walks, South Island, New Zealand, Copyright Freewalks NZ

Picton walks and hiking

Find out why Picton is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Picton area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Picton has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Punakaiki Walking & Hiking Guide - West Port - New Zealand

Punakaiki walks and hiking

Find out why Punakaiki is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Punakaiki area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Punakaiki has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Queenstown Walks & Hiking Guide - Views of Queenstown at the top of the Tiki Trail - Copyright Freewalks NZ

Queenstown walks and hiking

Our best walks would be the Tiki Trail up to the Gondola saving a trip & Lake Hayes loop walk for great views. I haven’t done the Queenstown Hill walk yet, but will next time we’re in town.

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Free Ross Walking & Hiking Guide - West Coast - New Zealand - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Ross walks and hiking

Find out why Ross is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Ross area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Ross has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Roxburgh Walking & Hiking Guide - Otago Region - New Zealand - Top of Frog Rock overlooking Roxburgh town

Roxburgh walks and hiking

Find out why Roxburgh is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Roxburgh area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Roxburgh has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Seddonville Walking & Hiking Guide - West Coast - New Zealand - View walking through the bush

Seddonville

Find out why Seddonville is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Seddonville area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Seddonville has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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St Arnaud Walks, South Island, New Zealand, Copyright Freewalks NZ

St Arnaud walks and hiking

Find out why St Arnaud is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the St Arnaud area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, St Arnaud has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free St Bathans Walking & Hiking Guide - Otago Region - New Zealand - View of the Blue Lake in St Bathans

St Bathans walks and hiking

Find out why St Bathans is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the St Bathans area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, St Bathans has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Sumner walks and hiking in Christchurch Canterbury -Copyright Freewalks.nz-Barnet Park

Sumner walks and hiking

Find out why Sumner is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Sumner area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Sumner has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Takaka Walking & Hiking Guide - Tasman Region - New Zealand

Takaka walks and hiking

Find out why Takaka is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Takaka area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Takaka has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Tapanui Walking & Hiking Guide - Otago Region - New Zealand - Sandra at Whisky Gully Waterfall - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Tapanui walks and hiking

Find out why Tapanui is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Tapanui area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Tapanui has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Te Anau Walking & Hiking Guide - Southland Region - New Zealand

Te Anau walks guide

Find out why Te Anau is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Te Anau area. Located in the stunning Fiordland National Park, South Island of New Zealand, has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Timaru Walking & Hiking Guide - Canterbury Region - New Zealand

Timaru walks and hiking

Find out why Timaru is a great place to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Timaru area. Timaru has plenty of great walking and hiking tracks.

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Free Twizel Walking & Hiking Guide - Canterbury Region - New Zealand

Twizel walks and hiking

Find out why Twizel is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Twizel area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Twizel has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Free Waimangaroa Walking & Hiking Guide - West Coast - New Zealand - View from Denniston Incline - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Waimangaroa walks and hiking

Find out why Waimangaroa is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Waimangaroa area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Waimangaroa has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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Wanaka Walks & Hiking Guide - View of Lake Wanaka Tree in Autumn - Copyright Freewalks NZ

Wanaka Walks and Hiking

Our best walks in Wanaka would be around Lake Wanaka or up Mt Iron for easy fitness. I haven’t managed to hike up Roys Peak yet, but Garry has and the hard slog to get to the summit was well worth it especially on a sunny day.

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Walks and hiking in Westport, North Island New Zealand - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Westport walks and hiking

Find out why Westport is one of the best places to walk & explore. Discover our favourite short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Westport area. Located in the stunning South Island of New Zealand, Westport has plenty of great walking and hiking.

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