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

The South Island of New Zealand is a hiker’s paradise, offering a huge range of walks to suit all levels of experience. From the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the lush rainforests of Fiordland National Park, there’s a walk waiting to be explored.

For those seeking challenging multi-day hikes, the Great Walks are a must-do. These nine tracks, including the renowned Milford Track and Routeburn Track, traverse some of the island’s most breathtaking scenery, with glaciers, waterfalls, and ancient forests providing a constant backdrop.

If you’re short on time or prefer shorter excursions, there are countless day walks scattered throughout the South Island. The Franz Josef Glacier Track leads to the foot of this iconic glacier, while the Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park offers stunning views of the Southern Alps.

In the Abel Tasman National Park, golden beaches and turquoise waters are the stars of the show on the Abel Tasman Coast Track.

No matter your fitness level or interests, there’s a perfect walk waiting for you in the South Island of New Zealand. 

End of the Abel Tasman Coastal Walk

Abel Tasman National Park Walks and Hiking

Abel Tasman National Park hosts some of the best walking and hiking in New Zealand including the Great Walk: Abel Tasman Coast Track.
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Alexandra Walks

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 ...
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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 ...
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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 guide

Christchurch Walks & Hiking Guide

The best Christchurch walks include walking the banks of the Avon River, through the city centre. The green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic ...
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Clyde Walks in Central Otago

Clyde walks and hiking

Discover our Clyde walks. Located in the stunning Central Otago, Clyde has plenty of great walking and hiking.
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Cronwell Walks in Central Otago

Cromwell walks and hiking

Cronwell walks or hiking tracks guide. Located in the Central Otago.
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Dunedin Walks in Central Otago

Dunedin Walking & Hiking

Discover my Dunedin walks. Located in the stunning Central Otago, hope you enjoy.
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Fox Glacier Walks, South Island, New Zealand- Copyright Freewalks NZ

Fox Glacier walks and hiking

Discover my Fox Glacier walks guide. Located in the stunning West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand.
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The old one lane bridge at Franz Josef

Franz Josef Hikes

Franz Josef Glacier & Callery Gorge walks are great for their stunning views, there are plenty more of my walks to explore in Franz Josef.
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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 ...
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Greymouth Walks in Central Otago

Greymouth walks and hiking

Greymouth walks, located on the West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.
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Haast Walks West Coast

Haast walks and hiking

We often drive through Haast on our way to Wanaka. There are some awesome walks in Haast.
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Pelorus Bridge, Havelock Walks

Havelock walks and hiking

Havelock walks guide including Pelorus Bridge walks.
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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 ...
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Hokitika Walks West Coast

Hokitika walks and hiking

Hokitika walks include the stunning Hokitika Gorge walk, see the beautiful green river from the bridge.
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Kaikoura Walks

Kaikoura walks and hiking

Kaikoura walks. 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 ...
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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 ...
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Lake Tekapo Walks

Lake Tekapo Walks

9 jaw-dropping walks in Lake Tekapo. Lake Tekapo has a great variety of day hikes with spectacular views you can't go past.
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Lawrence Walks

Lawrence walks and hiking

My guide to walks in Lawrence.
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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

Motueka walks and hiking

See the wreck on a walk while in Motueka. Discover short walks or full day hiking tracks around the Motueka area.
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Mt Cook Walks

Mt Cook National Park walks and hiking

Discover our favourite Mt Cook walks, short or full day hiking tracks around the Mt Cook area. Located in the stunning South Island of New ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Sumner walks in Christchurch

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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Stunning Lake Wanaka in winter, South Island

Wanaka Walks and Hiking

Here's a list of my walks in Wanaka in the summer and winter. I love Wanaka, it's an awesome place to go hiking.
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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 ...
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