New Zealand's 11 Great Walks are the country's premier multi-day hiking experiences — and getting a booking is harder than you'd think. Huts on popular tracks sell out within minutes of opening, and if you miss the window, you're locked out until next season. This guide covers exactly when bookings open for the 2026/27 season, how to actually secure a spot, what each walk costs, and which Great Walk is right for your fitness level. Make sure you have travel insurance that covers tramping and helicopter rescue.
When Do Bookings Open?
DOC staggers the opening dates across several days to reduce pressure on the booking system. All bookings are first-come, first-served — there are no waiting lists. For the 2026/27 season (stays from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027):
Great Walks booking dates (all at 9:30 am NZST):
- Wednesday 6 May: Milford Track, Routeburn Track
- Thursday 7 May: Kepler Track, Abel Tasman Coast Track
- Friday 8 May: Heaphy Track, Lake Waikaremoana Track, Whanganui Journey, Paparoa Track
- Monday 11 May: Rakiura Track, Hump Ridge Track (booked via Hump Ridge Trust website)
Other DOC bookings:
- Tuesday 12 May (12 noon): Huts, lodges, and sole occupancy accommodation
- Thursday 14 May (12 noon): North Island campsites
- Friday 15 May (12 noon): South Island campsites
Note: The Tongariro Northern Circuit bookings may be affected by DOC's plans for replacing Oturere Hut — check the DOC website for the latest status before booking.
How to Actually Get a Booking
Peak season dates (December–February) on the Milford Track and Routeburn Track sell out within minutes. Here's how to maximise your chances:
- Create your DOC account NOW at bookings.doc.govt.nz — don't wait until booking day
- Save your payment details in advance so you can checkout instantly
- Test the booking system before the opening date — search for availability, add to cart, then empty it (don't pay). This makes you familiar with the interface
- Be online at 9:15 am NZST on your track's opening date — DOC uses a virtual queue system and early arrivals get processed first
- Have multiple date options ready — if your first choice is gone, immediately try your backup dates
- Shoulder season is your friend — October/November and March/April/May have much better availability and often better weather
- The main reason people miss out is forgetting their password. Test your login the day before.
The 11 Great Walks
Milford Track — 53 km / 4 days
The most famous Great Walk and the hardest to book. Strictly one-way (north to south), with mandatory stops at specific huts each night. Passes through spectacular rainforest, crosses the Mackinnon Pass at 1,154m, and features Sutherland Falls (580m). You must walk it in 4 days — no flexibility. Located in Fiordland.
Difficulty: Moderate-hard. International hut fee: ~$140/night. Best for: Experienced trampers wanting the iconic NZ walk.
Routeburn Track — 33 km / 2–4 days
Arguably more scenic than the Milford and shorter. Crosses Harris Saddle (1,255m) with panoramic alpine views, passes through two national parks (Mt Aspiring and Fiordland). More variety per kilometre than any other Great Walk. See our detailed Routeburn Track guide.
Difficulty: Moderate. International hut fee: ~$140/night. Best for: Trampers wanting the best alpine scenery.
Kepler Track — 60 km / 3–4 days
A loop track from Te Anau — the easiest Great Walk to organise logistically because you start and finish at the same place. Stunning alpine ridgeline on day 2 with views across Fiordland. Good for first-time Great Walk trampers.
Difficulty: Moderate. International hut fee: ~$110/night. Best for: First-timers, loop-track convenience.
Abel Tasman Coast Track — 60 km / 3–5 days
The easiest Great Walk — coastal walking with golden beaches, turquoise water, and minimal elevation. You can use water taxis to skip sections or carry luggage, allowing you to walk with just a day pack. Excellent for families and less experienced hikers.
Difficulty: Easy. International hut fee: ~$80/night. Best for: Families, beginners, beach lovers.
Heaphy Track — 78 km / 4–6 days
The longest Great Walk. Traverses from the mountains to the West Coast through diverse landscapes — tussock tops, nikau palm forest, and wild beaches. Remote and quieter than other Great Walks. Point-to-point with transport logistics.
Difficulty: Moderate. International hut fee: ~$55/night. Best for: Experienced trampers wanting solitude.
Tongariro Northern Circuit — 43 km / 3–4 days
Volcanic landscape through the heart of the North Island. Includes the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing as day 2. Emerald Lakes, Red Crater, and Mt Doom (Mt Ngauruhoe) views. Note: Oturere Hut replacement may affect bookings — check DOC for updates.
Difficulty: Moderate-hard. International hut fee: ~$55/night. Best for: Volcanic landscapes, LOTR fans.
Whanganui Journey — 87 km / 3–5 days
The only Great Walk that's not a walk — it's a canoe/kayak journey down the Whanganui River through deep gorges and native bush. No hiking experience needed, but paddling experience helps. Canoe hire available locally.
Difficulty: Moderate (paddling). International hut fee: ~$55/night. Best for: Something completely different.
Lake Waikaremoana Track — 46 km / 3–4 days
North Island bush walk around the shores of Lake Waikaremoana in Te Urewera. Remote, beautiful, and quieter than the South Island walks. The Panekire Bluff section on day 1 is demanding but the lake views are exceptional.
Difficulty: Moderate. International hut fee: ~$55/night. Best for: North Island trampers wanting bush and lake scenery.
Paparoa Track — 55 km / 2–3 days
NZ's newest Great Walk (opened 2019), crossing the Paparoa Range on the West Coast. Alpine tops, limestone karst landscapes, and the only Great Walk that's also a mountain bike track. Two large, modern huts.
Difficulty: Moderate. International hut fee: ~$55/night. Best for: Mountain bikers, newer Great Walk experience.
Rakiura Track — 32 km / 3 days
On Stewart Island, the southernmost Great Walk. Remote bush walking with the best chance of seeing wild kiwi in their natural habitat. Muddy sections are common. Requires a ferry or flight to Stewart Island from Bluff.
Difficulty: Moderate (mud!). International hut fee: ~$55/night. Best for: Kiwi spotting, genuine remoteness.
Hump Ridge Track — 61 km / 3 days
The newest addition to the Great Walks family. Crosses the Hump Ridge in southern Fiordland with coastal views, historic viaducts, and sub-alpine terrain. Booked separately through the Hump Ridge Trust (not DOC) and can be booked up to two years in advance.
Difficulty: Hard. International hut fee: ~$110/night. Best for: Fit trampers wanting a challenging, less-crowded experience.
What to Pack
All Great Walk huts provide bunks with mattresses but no bedding — you must bring your own sleeping bag. Gas cooking facilities are available but bring your own stove and fuel as a backup. Use our packing list generator for a detailed customisable list. Essentials: sturdy boots (broken in), 50-65L pack, sleeping bag, waterproof jacket, warm layers, 3+ days of food, headtorch, sandfly repellent, and an eSIM for use in towns (no coverage on any track).
