What to do if you miss out on booking New Zealand’s Great Walks

If you’ve clicked into this article then I’m assuming you know all about the Great Walks of New Zealand – a series of nine tramping tracks (and one canoeing journey) which showcase the diverse landscape of our beautiful country. The catch? They book out. Fast!

I’ve written advice on how to successfully secure one of those sought-after bookings on my Milford Track FAQ blog post (it’s general advice to use for all Great Walk bookings), but if you’ve missed out on tickets then don’t despair! There are SO many amazing walks in New Zealand with plenty more options to choose from that aren’t as busy. You don’t have to limit yourself to just the Great Walks.

Below is a mixture of suggested alternative tramps for all ability levels, including some 10 day epics! While I’ve tried to match each track with an appropriate Great Walk, this list really just became a selection of great New Zealand walks that aren’t Great Walks. Hopefully they provide you with some tramping inspiration. Read on and let me know how well you think I did on matching them with other tracks! Do you have any suggestions I missed?

---

1. Milford Track Alternatives

The Milford Track was once called “the finest walk in the world”. It really is stunning … but it’s one of the most competitive to book, often selling out in hours.

My suggested alternatives to the Milford Track?

Hollyford Track

The Hollyford Track is a four day (one-way) 56km trip through Fiordland along the shores of the Hollyford River and Lake McKerrow. While it doesn’t have any alpine sections to rival McKinnon Pass, it does lead you through the lush rainforest that is so emblematic of Fiordland. The tracks and huts are not quite at a Great Walk level, but are a good option for trampers wanting to gain more experience outside of the Great Walks.

Dusky Track

The Dusky Track is an extremely challenging 8-10 day, 84km tramp through the wilds of Fiordland. It’s definitely not at the comparably easy level of a Great Walk, but it showcases Fiordland like no other track can. The challenges of the mud, sandflies, river crossings, 3-wire bridges and tree-fall are all part of the allure for trampers wanting to put a notch on their belt.

---

2. Routeburn Track Alternatives

The Routeburn Track is my personal favourite of the Great Walks. I’ve completed it many times over the years, more recently with side trips over Emily Pass and in to the gorgeous Valley of the Trolls. So what tracks could compare?

Greenstone-Caples Loop

The Greenstone-Caples loop is just one valley over from the Routeburn. You can even connect it with the Routeburn Track by a side trip to Lake Howden. The Greenstone-Caples is a 61km loop (compared to the Routeburn’s 33km) that can be walked in either direction, and is normally completed over 3-4 days. There are multiple options of both DOC managed and private (NZ Deer Stalkers’ Association) huts.

The track goes through much of the same terrain as the Routeburn; beautiful valleys, alpine tarns and meadows, and lush forest. Although I personally don’t find it quite as spectacular as the Routeburn, it’s a firm favourite of many experienced trampers.

Rees-Dart Track

The Rees-Dart Track is 63km and is normally completed over 4-5 days, with an optional side-trip up to Cascade Saddle and the Dart Glacier. The track passes through much of the same scenery as the Routeburn with some stunning alpine sections. I’m yet to complete this track myself, but it’s at the very top of my tramping wishlist!

Here’s the Mountain Safety Council’s video to give you a good idea of what to expect from the Rees-Dart:

Lake Nerine circuit

If you’re after more of a challenge, then a trip over three mountain passes (North Col, Park Pass and Sugarloaf Pass) via Lake Nerine is a great option! This route is mostly off track (although starts and ends on small sections of the Routeburn Track) and requires route-finding and river crossing skills. It shouldn’t be attempted by beginners, but it is absolutely stunning!

I’ve written a blog post all about the trip to Lake Nerine, so if you’re interested check that out here.

Daniel Murray has a great scenic video showcasing the beautiful terrain of this route (including a side trip up to Park Pass glacier):

---

3. Kepler Track Alternatives

Rounding out the last of the Fiordland Great Walks is the Kepler Track. It’s equally as stunning as the other two Great Walks above, and is a favourite of many (including my husband, who ran the whole track in a day (twice!) during the Kepler Challenge).

Hump Ridge Track

I’m cheating a little here, as the Hump Ridge Track is slated to become a Great Walk by next season. BUT for now, it hasn’t quite reached that status. It’s a 61km loop (compared to the Kepler’s 60km) that is normally walked over 3 (looong) days. It has beach walking (although next to the sea rather than lakes), lush rainforests and beautiful ridge walking with stunning 360 views, like the Kepler.

Although I don’t think much can compare to that middle day on the Kepler, the mysterious tors and tarns of the Hump Ridge above Owaka Lodge, as well as the views of Te Waewae Bay, are simply stunning.

Gillespie Pass / Wilkin-Young Track

The Wilkin-Young Track isn’t in Fiordland National Park, but lies one park to the north (Mt Aspiring National Park). This track in my opinion has quite similar terrain to the Kepler and Routeburn (although not the lush rainforest) with soaring alpine passes and mountain tops, with an added bonus of a ridiculously aqua alpine lake.

It’s not an easy track and involves serious river crossing and extremely steep terrain, so it’s definitely more challenging than a Great Walk, but if you have the experience (and nice weather), then it’s amazing. The Wilkin-Young is one of my all-time favourite tramps.

---

4. Rakiura Track Alternatives

The last Southern Great Walk is the Rakiura Track on Stewart Island / Rakiura. It’s not as popular as its Fiordland counterparts, so you can often find available dates to book the huts. It’s also not alpine, being fully in the bush, and only 32km over 3 days, so completing it in winter is definitely doable.

However, there are some more interesting tracks on Rakiura that also bear considering!

Mason Bay

Mason Bay lies on the remote west coast of Rakiura. It’s only really visited by fishermen, trampers and hunters. Mason Bay and its hut are great places to see kiwi in the wild (although Rakiura in general is known for this).

There are lots of different options to access Mason Bay (including the below tracks), and I’ve written a blog post about the easier way to explore this unique spot, check out that article here.

Southern or North West Circuits

A more challenging option to explore Rakiura are the North West and Southern Circuits. The North West Circuit takes 9-11 days over 125km, (with an optional side trip up to Mt Anglem, the highest point on Rakiura) while the Southern Circuit is 71.5km taking 4-6 days (with an optional side trip up to Mt Rakeahua).

Both trips are much more challenging than a Great Walk, and you’ll need to be prepared for a lot of mud. But the beaches, wildlife, and stunning sunsets are worth it.

---

5. Paparoa Track Alternatives

The Paparoa Track is the newest of DOC”s Great Walks. It has a little bit of everything on the West Coast; views out to the Tasman sea, lush rainforest, stunning gorges and limestone cliffs. It’s 55km and takes 3 days tramping (and you can also mountain bike it). I haven’t walked the Paparoa yet, but I would love to given the chance!

Lake Angelus / Travers-Sabine Circuit

Nelson Lakes is a stunning area. While not on the west coast (so replace rainforest with beech trees), it still has gorgeous views and beautiful alpine lakes. There are many different walks you can do in the area, and I’d recommend either walking in to Lake Angelus, one of DOC’s most well-situated huts, or by completing the Travers-Sabine Circuit.

St James Walkway

The St James Walkway is described by DOC as a “great introduction to multi-night tramping”. While again not on the West Coast, this 66km / 5 day track is a firm favourite of many tramping families and is similar to a Great Walk in terms of difficulty level (although huts are first-come, first-served, i.e. not bookable).

Copland Track / Welcome Flat Hut

The Copland Track IS on the West Coast, just lower than the Paparoa. It follows the Copland River up to the Welcome Flat hot pools, a very welcome reprieve indeed after the long 18km walk in (and then again out). There aren’t any alpine sections, but with geothermal hot pools it’s definitely a fun place to visit!

---

6. Heaphy Track Alternatives

The Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park can’t currently be walked in its entirety due to flood and storm damage, but you can still walk in-and-out from either road end. The Heaphy takes trampers through extremely varied terrain, from beech forest and tussocks on the eastern end, to rainforest and roaring seas on the western side. If you’re lucky you might even spot a takahē!

Old Ghost Road

This is probably the best match I could find for all the Great Walks. Just south of the Heaphy, the Old Ghost Road winds through equally diverse countryside, following an old gold mining route. The track is 85km and walked over 4-5 days. Like the Heaphy Track, it can also be mountain biked.

Jumbo-Holdsworth Circuit

This one definitely isn’t quite as good of a match to the Heaphy as the Old Ghost Road, but should definitely be included somewhere on this list! Situated in the North Island, this circuit takes trampers up to the tops of Tararuas (known for being deadly in poor weather, so check the forecast before heading off!). The huts do need to be booked, but it’s a great loop track with amazing views.

---

7. Abel Tasman Coast Track Alternatives

The Abel Tasman is quite unique with the amount of beach walking and the tropical feel of the turquoise water. It also has easy access for day walkers with water taxis and bougie accommodation options available.

The Abel Tasman Coast Track can be walked year round and has many different campsite options, so you can often score a booking for tenting at least if not the huts. However if you miss out, or just want something a little different, here are my suggested substitutes:

Queen Charlotte Track

This track in the Marlborough Sounds was in consideration to become a Great Walk (the Hump Ridge beat it out). Queen Charlotte is 73.5km and takes 3-5 days to walk (compared to the Abel Tasman’s ~60km over a similar amount of time). It also has multiple accommodation options from DOC huts to private lodges, and water taxi options for day trips or porting packs.

Nydia Track

The Nydia Track is 27km / 2 days long, lying between branches of Pelorus Sound. Like Abel Tasman and Queen Charlotte, it has a nice lodge (or campsite) to overnight at, as well as water access into Nydia Bay.

---

8. Tongariro Northern Circuit Alternatives

The Tongariro Northern Circuit (not to be confused with the popular Tongariro Crossing day hike, which makes up part of the circuit) runs through amazing volcanic terrain that is quite unique to the North Island’s Central Plateau area. It boasts emerald lakes, volcanic plains, and epic views unlike anywhere else in the country. The circuit is a 45km loop starting and ending at Whakapapa Village and is normally walked over 3-4 days.

Round the Mountain Track

Just next door to Tongariro is its larger volcanic neighbour, Ruapehu. The Round the Mountain Track is a 66km loop walked over 4-6 days that circumnavigates Ruapehu. The track’s first or last day (depending on which direction you walk) is shared with the Tongariro Northern Circuit (as is Waihohonu Hut, which requires bookings during the Great Walks season). You can also complete day walks on this track or overnighters, such as walking in to Blyth Hut.

Pouakai Circuit

Further away on the west coast of the North Island lies the lonely maunga, Taranaki. The Pouakai Circuit on its slopes and over the Pouakai Range is 25km walked over 2-3 days. While still very much a volcanic landscape, the track passes through much more forest and swamp than the Tongariro Northern Circuit, including the world famous Pouakai Tarns.

---

9. Lake Waikaremoana Track Alternatives

Lake Waikaremoana has a rich cultural heritage and is managed by the local iwi; the Ngai Tūhoe. The track features stunning lake views, waterfalls and plenty of beautiful swimming holes. The views from Panekire Bluff are simply stunning on a good day.

Cape Brett Track

Cape Brett doesn’t follow a lake, but the coast of the Bay of Islands. It’s 16km one-way track (compared to Lake Waikaremoana’s 46km) and is normally walked over 2 days as either a there-and-back track, or using a water taxi for the return trip. The track has amazing views over the coast (as well as some steep drop-offs), and a lighthouse at the end!

Aotea Track

Aotea Track on Great Barrier Island is walked over 2-3 days, although given its unique location you may want to stay longer! There is beautiful forest, lots of history and even hot pools! Mt Heale Hut has absolutely amazing views over Great Barrier, Little Barrier, and the Hauraki Gulf. 

---

10. Whanganui Journey Alternatives

The Whanganui Journey is unique compared to the other Great Walks – it’s not a tramping track but a canoeing / kayaking journey down the Whanganui River. As I’m yet to delve into the packraft life, I’m not knowledgeable enough to come up with any decent alternatives for this “Great Walk”. The Clutha or the Clarence? Do you have any suggestions for me?

---

So that’s it for my alternatives to the Great Walks of Aotearoa. Many of the tracks I’ve completed myself, but some are still on my to-do list (can you guess which ones?). That to do list is only increasing now that I have a little human in tow!

What do you think, did I miss any tracks you’d consider decent substitutions? Or disagree with any of my choices? Let me know in the comments below.

---

Where to next?

---

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE ME A COMMENT OR MESSAGE ME OVER ON MY INSTAGRAM.

I love hearing from readers and helping them plan their own adventures!

---