Pre- and Post-Walk Stays for New Zealand Great Walks: Best Towns to Base Yourself

Embarking on a New Zealand Great Walk is an unforgettable experience, immersing you in some of the world’s most stunning landscapes. To make the most of your adventure, planning your pre- and post-walk accommodation is essential. Choosing the right base town can significantly enhance your overall experience, offering convenience, amenities, and a chance to explore the surrounding region. This guide highlights the best towns to base yourself before and after tackling New Zealand’s iconic Great Walks.

North Island Great Walks

1. Lake Waikaremoana Track

Best Base Town: Wairoa

Wairoa, situated about an hour’s drive from the Lake Waikaremoana Track’s starting point, is a practical and convenient base. This small town offers essential amenities, including supermarkets, fuel stations, and a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly motels to comfortable hotels.

• Pros: Proximity to the track, essential services available.
• Cons: Limited dining and entertainment options compared to larger towns.
• Things to do: Visit the Wairoa Museum, explore the local shops, and enjoy the riverside scenery.

Alternative: Rotorua

While further away (approximately 2.5-hour drive), Rotorua offers a wider range of activities and accommodation. If you’re looking to combine your hike with other tourist experiences, Rotorua might be a good fit.

• Pros: Abundant tourist attractions, diverse accommodation and dining choices.
• Cons: Longer drive to the track, potentially more expensive.
• Things to do: Explore geothermal parks, experience Maori culture, and indulge in adventure activities.

2. Tongariro Northern Circuit

Best Base Town: Taupo

Taupo, located on the shores of Lake Taupo, is a popular base for hikers tackling the Tongariro Northern Circuit. It provides a wide array of accommodation, dining, and entertainment options. Shuttle services to the track are readily available from Taupo.

• Pros: Extensive amenities, transport options to the track, beautiful lake setting.
• Cons: Can be crowded during peak season, potentially more expensive than smaller towns.
• Things to do: Visit Huka Falls, try bungy jumping or skydiving, and enjoy water sports on the lake.

Alternative: National Park Village

For a closer base, National Park Village is situated right at the foot of Mount Ruapehu. This small village offers basic accommodation and dining, ideal for those wanting immediate access to the track.

• Pros: Closest to the track, quieter and more relaxed atmosphere.
• Cons: Limited amenities, fewer dining choices.
• Things to do: Short walks in the surrounding area, visit the Department of Conservation visitor centre.

3. Whanganui Journey

Best Base Town: Taumarunui or Pipiriki

Since the Whanganui Journey is a river-based adventure, your pre- and post-trip logistics depend on your starting and ending points. Taumarunui, at the upper reaches of the river, is a good starting point, while Pipiriki is closer to the lower reaches.

• Taumarunui: Offers a range of accommodation and transport options. Good for pre-trip preparations.
• Pipiriki: Smaller settlement with limited services, but closer to the end of the journey.

Consider arranging transport and accommodation packages with tour operators for a seamless experience.

South Island Great Walks

4. Abel Tasman Coast Track

Best Base Town: Motueka or Kaiteriteri

Motueka, a larger town with a good range of services, and Kaiteriteri, a smaller coastal village known for its stunning beaches, are excellent bases for the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Both offer easy access to water taxi services that transport hikers to various points along the track.

• Motueka Pros: Wider range of amenities, supermarkets, and accommodation.
• Motueka Cons: Not directly on the coast (short drive to the beaches).
• Motueka Things to do: Visit local breweries and orchards, explore the town’s art galleries.

• Kaiteriteri Pros: Beautiful beach location, direct access to water taxis.
• Kaiteriteri Cons: Limited amenities and higher prices during peak season.
• Kaiteriteri Things to do: Relax on the beach, swim, and enjoy the coastal scenery.

Alternative: Nelson

Nelson, a larger city, is about an hour’s drive from the track. It provides a wider selection of accommodation, dining, and entertainment. However, consider the extra travel time to the track.

5. Heaphy Track

Best Base Town: Westport (Northern End) or Karamea (Southern End)

The Heaphy Track has trailheads in both the north and south, so your base depends on your direction of travel. Westport is a larger town near the northern end, while Karamea is a smaller settlement closer to the southern end.

• Westport Pros: More amenities, including supermarkets and a wider range of accommodation.
• Westport Cons: Further from the southern end of the track.
• Westport Things to do: Visit the seal colony at Cape Foulwind, explore the Coaltown Museum.

• Karamea Pros: Closer to the southern end, access to the Oparara Arches.
• Karamea Cons: Limited amenities and services.
• Karamea Things to do: Explore the Oparara Arches, visit the Karamea Museum.

6. Routeburn Track

Best Base Town: Queenstown or Te Anau

The Routeburn Track is typically accessed from either Queenstown or Te Anau, depending on your planned direction. Queenstown offers a vibrant atmosphere and numerous activities, while Te Anau provides a more relaxed and scenic environment closer to Fiordland National Park.

• Queenstown Pros: Wide range of accommodation, dining, and adventure activities.
• Queenstown Cons: Can be expensive and crowded, longer drive to the Divide (one of the track entrances).
• Queenstown Things to do: Bungy jumping, jet boating, wine tours, scenic flights.

• Te Anau Pros: Closer to Fiordland National Park, quieter and more relaxed atmosphere.
• Te Anau Cons: Fewer dining and entertainment options than Queenstown.
• Te Anau Things to do: Visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, explore Fiordland National Park, kayaking.

7. Kepler Track

Best Base Town: Te Anau

Te Anau is the ideal base for the Kepler Track, as the track starts and finishes just outside of town. It offers a range of accommodation options and is conveniently located near Fiordland National Park’s visitor centre.

• Pros: Close proximity to the track, relaxed atmosphere, access to Fiordland National Park.
• Cons: Fewer dining and entertainment options than larger cities.
• Things to do: Explore Fiordland National Park, visit the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, fishing.

8. Milford Track

Best Base Town: Te Anau

Like the Kepler Track, Te Anau is the most convenient base for the Milford Track. Most tours and transport options to the track depart from Te Anau. Pre-booking accommodation and transport is essential, especially during peak season.

• Pros: Central location for Milford Track tours, stunning scenery, access to other Fiordland attractions.
• Cons: Limited services compared to larger towns.
• Things to do: Scenic cruises on Milford Sound, kayaking, and exploring Fiordland.

9. Rakiura Track (Stewart Island)

Best Base Town: Oban (Halfmoon Bay)

Oban, also known as Halfmoon Bay, is the main settlement on Stewart Island and the only logical base for the Rakiura Track. It offers limited but adequate accommodation and services. Flights and ferries to Stewart Island depart from Invercargill.

• Pros: Only settlement on the island, access to the Rakiura Track and other walks.
• Cons: Limited amenities, can be isolated.
• Things to do: Birdwatching, hiking, exploring the island’s beaches and forests.

Tips for Choosing Your Base Town:

• Consider Proximity: How close is the town to the track’s starting and ending points?
• Assess Amenities: Does the town offer the services you need, such as supermarkets, restaurants, and laundry facilities?
• Think About Activities: What other activities do you want to do in the area?
• Book in Advance: Accommodation and transport can fill up quickly, especially during peak season.
• Read Reviews: See what other hikers have to say about their experiences in different base towns.

By carefully considering your needs and preferences, you can choose the perfect base town for your New Zealand Great Walk adventure, ensuring a comfortable and memorable experience both before and after your hike.