Taking a hiking tour is a great way to experience New Zealand. The landscape and wildlife are second to none. Whether you want to take a hike along the fjords of Fiordland or climb the summit of Mount Cook, you’ll have an adventure of a lifetime. And you don’t need to spend a lot of money, so let’s explore in this article some fantastic and cheap hiking tours in New Zealand.
Mount Cook National Park
Located in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, Mount Cook is home to extreme alpine landscapes and some of the best hiking tours in the South Island. This is a great destination for an adventurous vacation and you should not miss out on a trip to this beautiful spot.
Mount Cook National Park offers a variety of hiking tours and other adventure activities. You can also book accommodations in Mount Cook Village. This small town within the national park has many shops and restaurants. The village is a great place to stay for a night or two.
The DOC visitor center is a good place to find out about the park’s hiking trails. You can also visit the astronomical observatory at Mount John.
There are also a lot of places to stop along the highway to enjoy some of the best views in the park. Mount Cook doesn’t get dark until 9pm in the summer months. In winter, the temperatures can drop down to about 10 degrees Celsius.
The Hermitage Hotel is a popular destination for stargazing at night. This popular hotel also offers tours of the park. The hotel has a number of rooms with views of Mount Cook.
The Red Tarn Tarn Trail is a sweeping view of Mount Cook and offers a short, 1.5 mile hike. This trail is named for the reddish-orange pond weed that grows along the trail.
Milford Sound
Whether you are planning a trip to Milford Sound for a day or a week, there are many ways to explore the area. These range from multi-day hikes to scenic flights and boat tours. Aside from the usual tourist attractions, Milford is home to many native wildlife. For example, New Zealand fur seals can be seen playing in the water.
Aside from flights, the most popular thing to do in Milford is to do a day tour with a scenic cruise. This trip takes about 5 to 6 hours. You will see hundreds of waterfalls along the way. You will also get to see the Mitre Peak. You will also have the opportunity to see native bird life and ancient beech forests.
The Milford Track is a popular hiking trail in the area. It is a moderate 5.5 mile hike from the trail head at Glade Wharf. You can also take an alternate route that gives you even more stunning views of the park.
The Milford Discovery Centre is a unique attraction that explains the history of Milford Sound. It includes information panels that discuss geology, heritage, and the local culture. It is also the only underwater observatory in New Zealand. You can also take a tour of the center, which includes an underwater viewing area.
Milford Sound is an internationally acclaimed natural wonder. It welcomes about 1 million visitors each year.
Arthur’s Pass
Located in Arthur’s Pass, New Zealand, Devil’s Punchbowl Falls is a waterfall that plunges heavily down the mountain slopes. This waterfall is a popular tourist destination. It is easy to get to, and it offers a dedicated hiking track. It is a short hike, and there are plenty of photo opportunities in front of the waterfall.
If you are looking for a great hike in the Southern Alps, then you should definitely check out the Devil’s Punchbowl Track. The track weaves through an alpine valley, and features a 131-metre waterfall.
For a more challenging hike, consider the Avalanche Peak Route. This route takes you from the town centre to an exposed alpine area. This route is not recommended for inexperienced hikers, and requires a little bit of route finding. It does require a little bit of skill and proper equipment, but you’ll be rewarded with views of the surrounding mountains.
If you’re looking for a short hike, you can also check out the Kura Tawhiti walk. This track is a 40-60 minute hike, and it’s well-defined. You’ll pass through boulders, and it’s a pleasant walk.
For a more scenic view of the valley, you can head up to the Otira Viaduct Lookout. The carpark is wide, and you can enjoy great views of the bridge, the river, and the mountains surrounding the area.
If you want to spend the night, you can stay at the Alpine Motel or at The Nook. These two hotels have great reviews, and they offer kitchen facilities as well.
Fiordland National Park
Located in southwest New Zealand, Fiordland National Park is known for its glacier-carved fiords. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its main base is Te Anau. During the peak season, the township is incredibly busy.
Fiordland National Park offers a wide variety of trekking opportunities. It is also home to a wide variety of wildlife. Its fauna includes possums, red deer, Wapiti deer, and wild pigs. The park also has a large abundance of fish species. The most common fish species are brown trout and rainbow trout.
Milford Sound is the park’s most visited cruise spot. It is also home to one of the world’s most famous walks, the Milford Track. It offers a variety of scenic views of the park’s landscape.
The Kepler Track is a popular family walk. It begins in Te Anau in Fiordland National Park and continues to the sandy beach of Brod Bay. The trail offers mountain views and lush valleys. It’s a three- to four-day loop.
Te Anau has a wide variety of accommodation to suit your needs. There are mid-style hotels, campsites, and even simple hostels. The township can be very busy during the peak season in February.
Aside from hiking, Milford Sound is also home to scenic flights. Plane tours depart from Queenstown airport. They take you into Fiordland and offer views of the mountains and Milford Sound. The best time to visit is during the late spring and early autumn.
Marlborough Sounds
Located on the north eastern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, Marlborough Sounds is a network of inlets and drowned valleys. It is one of the most picturesque places in New Zealand, and it is home to many beautiful viewpoints and wildlife.
Marlborough Sounds is the ideal place to explore on your holiday. The region is home to a wide variety of landscapes, including dense forest, secluded bays, and beautiful beaches. It is also home to a large number of vineyards, which account for 75 percent of all wine produced in New Zealand.
One of the best ways to explore Marlborough Sounds is to go on a guided tour. These tours can show you the wildlife and tell you about the history of the region. The Sounds Connection Gourmet Wine Tour is a great option, as it combines a tasting of wine with an insight into the winemaking process.
Another option is to hike the Queen Charlotte Track. This trail winds through the mountains and ridges of the region, and offers stunning views of the Kenepuru Sounds. This trail is 70km long and is best done as a day hike. You can find more information about it on Tripadvisor or Viator.
Sea kayaking is another popular way to explore Marlborough Sounds. Sea kayakers can view the many marine creatures in the area, including dolphins, fur seals, and Hector’s dolphins.
Wellington
Located on the North Island of New Zealand, Wellington is a funky and quaint city that offers visitors plenty of fun, interesting things to see and do. With its windy and sometimes cold climate, Wellington can be a little difficult to get around if you aren’t careful. However, with its quirky attractions, amazing museums, and tasty food, Wellington is worth the trip.
One of the most interesting things to do in Wellington is to hop on the cable car. It’s a great way to see the city and see a beautiful view of the harbor.
Another fun way to see the city is to ride the gondola. This is a great way to get a good look at the city, and is free to do.
The other cool thing to do in Wellington is to check out the Weta Workshop, where the movie makers got their start. This was the location of the famous Lord of the Rings movie sites. There’s also a fun interactive museum dedicated to the 2010/11 earthquakes.
The city is also home to several award-winning museums. The Te Papa National Museum is an excellent way to learn about New Zealand’s history and culture. This is also a great place to see a collection of New Zealand art.
The best hiking tours in Wellington are the small group type. These allow you to get off the beaten path and explore independently.