10 great multi-day hikes in the South Island New Zealand that are not “Great Walks”

Last updated on November 27th, 2025 at 08:35 pm

What are the best multi-day hikes in the South Island of New Zealand?

Well, first do you know about the Great Walks? The ones that have all the fan fare?
If you don’t, they are a select group of walks in New Zealand that are now called “Great Walks” because, I guess, they are actually pretty spectacular – and most of them are in the South Island.

But I’m not going to talk about any of the “Great Walks” here, because you can read about them in this post, and, because I want to give you some alternative – best multi-day hikes in the South Island. And these are usually quieter and easier to get on than the Great Walks! Its nowhere near a full list of all the other hikes in the South Island, but it will give you some really great “not Great Walks.”

All of these walks can be done alone – you don’t need a guided tour etc. Some of them are easy overnighters and some are a few days long, but all of them are quite stunning in their own right!

PS: Its good to know some relevant NZ lingo here. You’re going to hear the word “tramping” – it is the local word for hiking!
Hiking = tramping; a hike = a tramp
e.g. I’m going tramping; I’m going for an overnight tramp.

First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!

Plan for your trip

Insurance – Click here for travel cover with SafetyWing. Almost any nationality, its ok if you are already traveling, up to 64 years old. Or click here for cover with EKTA – any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling!

Accommodation – book a hotel with booking.com or Tripadvisor, or, a hostel with Hostelworld

Internet – get a highly rated yesim eSim before you go – click here for yours

Tours and Activities – book with Viator, Eatwith, or GetYourGuide.

Buses, trains, ferries and Flights – 12Go is now my first option for this, but for flights you can also find a good deal through Kiwi.com

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Hiking – use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – know where you are on the trail!

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Ok – lets get into it – the best multi-day hikes in the South Island! Directions and details can be found on the DoC website which I have linked to for each walk.

1. The Meuller Hut (a big favorite of mine)

Distance: 5.2 km one way
Duration: 4 -5 hr up and 3-4 hr down

I know – I’ve got quite a few favourites, but this is a favorite of favorites for me!
Even though its been years (and I really need to go again) it is so strongly stuck in my memory. Think of sitting watching avalanches – at a distance and stunning views over the Southern Alps. Its a grunt to get up there – straight uphill 1000 meters (3281 feet) – no flat bits to rest – but it is ohhhh sooooo worth it!

Whatever you do, check at the DoC visitor Center first about the weather and what they are expecting – even if you are in a bright sunny morning, and let them know your intentions. Plenty of people have died in this National Park so be sensible.

The track is well formed to Sealey Tarns which is halfway up and a perfect place for a break – complete with picnic table and views up the Hooker Valley! (And note that if the weather has turned bad you should turn around here.)

From Sealy Tarns you have to follow the orange markers through the rocky scrub and tussock country. The orange markers are regular but if the weather gets bad and you get mist or cloud you might not be able to see the next one – they are about every 200meters. To get to the ridge there is a short but yuk scree slope you need to scramble up, but once you are on the ridgeline you have a last easy half an hours walk in the basin to the hut.

Where to stay in Mt Cook or Tekapo before and after your hike

High End – Ranginui At Lake Tekapo, or for a house, Bunker House, or, Cedar Sky

Mid range – Aoraki Court Motel in Mt Cook Village, or The Mackenzie Suites, or, Grand Suites Lake Tekapo, or for a house The Landsborough Tekapo, all in Tekapo

Budget – Lake Tekapo Village Motel

Backpackers – the Glentanner Park Centre (much better value than the YHA at the Mt Cook village!

2. Mt Brown Hut (an icon!)

Distance: 4.2 km one way
Duration: 2.5 -4 hrs one way

It’s become a bit of an icon for kiwi trampers! Its only a basic hut with four bunkbeds but it has fab views over the Southern Alps and Lake Kaniere.

It is run and managed by volunteers although you now book the hut through DoC. The actual walk starts off easy through some bush, but you will likely end up scrambling using tree roots as hand holds to pull yourself up in certain places, and it can be very muddy!! Short but not always sweet! However the hut itself and the views more than make up for any mud and roots on the way!

Note: You can go on from the hut to the summit – 2.4km and about 1.5 hours return.

Where to stay in Hokitika before and after your hike

The Beachfront Hotel – book an ocean view room! Note – the bar has a view in case you miss out!

If you are on a tighter budget try the Hokitika Pioneer Hotel. And for backpackers, try the Hokitika Holiday Park!

For good value for a group – there is the The Black Bach on Bealey.

Nearby at Lake Mahinapua you can stay at the Lake Mahinapua Hotel – it has rooms, family rooms, and a dorm for backpackers!

3. Queen Charlotte Track (summer swimming)

Distance: 73.5 km 
Duration: 3-5 days

Walk along shorelines and ridgelines, through regenerating bush, on old Bridle pathways, and through mature beech forest to some great viewpoints – all within the Marlborough Sounds. Honest opinion – its nice – beautiful in places, lovely for swimming in summer, but it might be my lowest ranked on this list if I were ranking them. However it is great to support the replanting and regeneration of the native forest in the area and its only going to get better and better with age! A great option for summer.

Things to know:

• The track crosses private and public land and you need to buy a pass if you are walking the whole thing.
• There will be mountain bike riders on the track, and when on private land there may be locals on quads and the like.
• Because it goes over and near private land, there is some pretty nice accommodation on the track! There are also DoC campsites so don’t worry if you are on a budget.
• There are plenty of options for transport – with water taxis going to and from points along the track, including Meretoto/Ship Cove where most people start the track from and Anakiwa at the end of the track.

Where to stay in Picton before and after your hike

High End –The Moorings Waterfront Picton, or, Pohutukawa Apartment

Mid Range – Escape to Picton Boutique Hotel, or, Picton Waterfront Apartments, or, Historic Sennen House Boutique Accommodation

Budget – Top of the Town, or, Harbour View Motel Picton, or, Broadway Motel

Backpackers – Tombstone Motel, Lodge & Backpackers, or, Atlantis Backpackers

4. The Old Ghost Road (new-ish and getting popular)

Distance: 85 km 
Duration: 4-5 days

Another private / public partnership that has resulted in one of the best multi-day hikes in the South Island – for walkers and cyclists. Be warned – it is getting more popular by the day! Its uphill and down dale on this track – walk through beech forest, cloud forest and along open alpine tops in tussock country, cross lots of river bridges, follow the rivers and sleep by mountain lakes. Lovely – yes. Tough – a bit! But definitely worth it.

Stay in Murchison or Westport before or after your hike (depending which way you walk) at..

Higher End – Maruia River Retreat in Murchison, Birds Ferry Lodge Luxury BnB in Westport, or not too far away The Nelson Loft in Nelson.

Mid Range – Murchison Lodge, or, Grand Suites Murchison in Murchison, Kawatiri Palms in Westport, or not too far away Ah House City B&B, or, 204 The Sands in Nelson.

Budget – Off The Beaten Trail Accommodation & Bike Tours in nearby Murchison, Sunset Accomodation in Westport, or not too far away Arcadia Motel, or, Chelsea Park Motor Lodge in Nelson

Backpackers – Bazils hostel & Surf School, or, Tripinn Modern Motels & Affordable Accommodation in Westport, or Tasman Bay Backpackers in Nelson.

5. St James Walkway (relatively easy walking and pretty)

Distance: 66 km 
Duration: 5 days

Bogs, bush, beech forest, open alpine meadows, and rivers and views everywhere! This can be a great one for families to tackle as the walking through the valleys is not difficult. BUT, it is a summer track (unless you are very experienced) and even in summer you should be prepared for extreme mountain weather as it can happen at any time of year.

Summary: this is a really lovely sub-alpine 4- 5 day walk that is not too strenuous!

Stay in Reefton or Hamner Springs before or after your hike

Higher end – Oakview ,or, Hanmer Glamping in Hamner Springs

Mid Range – The Treehouse Branch, Settlers Boutique Motel or for a small group – Apartments Hanmer Springs – all in Hamner Springs.
Alternatively, The Barristers Inn, or, Harold House, or, Couples Retreat in Reefton.

Budget – Kakapo Lodge, or, Aspen Lodge Motel in Hamner springs.
Alternatively, Lantern Court Motel, or Reef Cottage B&B in Reefton

Backpackers – Hanmer Backpackers, or, Hanmer Springs Forest Camp in Hamner Springs

6. Mt Arthur Hut or Tablelands Circuit (a pretty cool hut)

To Mt Arthur Hut
Distance: 4.2 km 
Duration: 1.5 hours

The Tablelands Circuit
Distance: 28 km 
Duration: 2 days

They are related, so am giving you both – either way, the Tablelands are beautiful! Walk through bush to the bush line and then into the open bush and tussock tablelands with all the colors and little flowers they offer.

Walk to Mt Arthur Hut for an easy start. It takes 1.5 hours from Flora carpark to Mt Arthur Hut. You can then walk 4-5 hours return from Mt Arthur Hut to Mt Arthur. Just past the hut you get your first lovely views!

The circuit starts with the walk to Mt Arthur Hut. Then walk up toward the summit of Mt Arthur from the turn off where you head down (and up and down) to Gordons Pyramid peak (carefully on the rock sections), and then down to Salisbury Lodge (about 5-6 hours in total from the Flora carpark). The walk varies from forest to open tussock and bush.

You can stay at Salisbury Lodge – its about 4 hours from here back down to the Flora Carpark. But a much cooler option is to stay further on at one of the “shelters” – the Rock Shelter (Dry Rock Camp), the Growler Rock Bivy, or further on at the crazy cool Gridiron Shelter (although you are then only about 1.5 hours from the carpark). The Gridiron shelter is a 3-bed ‘hut’ built under a rock ledge. Very cool.

Note that the road to the Flora carpark is a dodgy metal track and you usually need a 4wd in winter. Be prepared for snow – especially in the winter.

Stay in Nelson before or after your hike at..

Higher End – The Nelson Loft.

Mid Range – Ah House City B&B, or, 204 The Sands.

Budget – Arcadia Motel, or, Chelsea Park Motor Lodge.

Backpackers – Tasman Bay Backpackers.

7. Mt Robert Circuit (short and sweet)

Distance: 9 km 
Duration: 4-5 hours

Its short and definitely very sweet with great views all the way! This circuit can easily be done as a day walk – but why rush? There is a hut part way round and so its a perfect way to spend a night out in the Nelson Lakes National Park with fantastic views and sunrises / sunsets at the convenient hut.

Walk up the Pinchgut Track through beech forest to the open alpine tops, then walk around the ridgeline to Paddy’s Track and the Bushline Hut. From there head down the mountain slopes (exposed with views of the lake) on Paddy’s Track to the start.

Vice versa is fine to do too but its steeper on the Pinchgut so easier to walk down Paddy’s with a more gentle slope!

Stay in St Arnaud or Nelson before or after your hike at..

…any of the places in Nelson listed in walk 6 above.

Qr try the Tophouse Mountainview Cottages, Tophouse Historic Inn, or The bach in St Arnaud.

8. Angelus Hut (another big favorite)

Distance: various options but the most popular is via Pinchgut Track and Robert Ridge Route at 12.2 km 
Duration: 2-3 days depending on which way you hike.

This is another huge favorite for me – and everyone else! Like the Mueller Hut – the location of the hut is just awesome – in the truest sense of the word! There are many ways into this stunning hut and most people do one in and another out:

Option 1. The Pinchgut /Robert Ridge Track route

From Mt Robert Road walk uphill through beech forest to the alpine tops, walk along the ridgeline to the Angelus basin and then down to the lake and hut. (12.2km 6 hours.)

Option 2. The Speargrass Track

Also from Mt Robert Road walk up through beech forest to a junction with the Speargrass Creek Track just before the Speargrass Hut (you could spend a night here if needed). From here follow the poles, cross many streams and keep going until you reach the junctions with the Robert Ridge Track. Follow this to the Angelus basin and then down to the lake and hut. (11.2km 6 hours.)

Option 3. Travers and Cascade Tracks

Walk from Mt Robert Road on the Lakeside Track along Lake Rotoiti to the Coldwater Hut at the end of the lake, or from St Arnaud to the Lakehead Hut. Follow the Traverse Track for a couple of hours up to the Cascade track (from either of the huts).
You do have to cross the Travers River and if its is in flood you need to walk 1.5 hours upstream to a bridge. (So just go in summer so this is less likely!)
Climb (forever) from the junction next to a stream to the bush-line. Then keep climbing following poles to the hut! Yep – I cant remember why I went this way but I did – and it was much easier coming out on the Robert Ridge Track! (9.4 km 6 hours.)

Stay in St Arnaud or Nelson before or after your hike at..

…any of the places listed in walks 6 or 7 above.

9. Greenstone & Caples Tracks (a lovely loop)

Distance: 61 km 
Duration: 4 days

These tracks give you a few options. You can walk either valley one way, or go up one and down the other, or go up either one and combine with the Routeburn Track Great Walk (if you have a booking). The distances and times given above are for the Greenstone Caples loop. Walk through river valleys and beech forests with a beautiful alpine saddle to cross between (or join the Routeburn).

I recommend picking one of these two tracks and joining it with the Routeburn rather than doing both – if you can get the hut bookings on the Routeburn! That way you can spend time up above the bush line on the tops that you spend your time looking at from the valleys! Either way its still beautiful.

Stay in Queenstown before or after your hike at..

High End – The Spire Hotel, or, Stoneridge Estate

Mid Range – The Dairy Hotel Queenstown, or Sudima Queenstown Five Mile

Budget – Manata Lodge, or, Quest Queenstown, or Ramada Suites by Wyndham

Backpackers, try the Tahuna Pod Hostel, or, Adventure Q2 Hostel, or Haka House Queenstown Lakefront

10. Hollyford Track (a gorgeous ending)

Distance: 56 km 
Duration: 4-5 days

Follow the Hollyford river for five days from The Hollyford Road to the sea at Martins Bay. Start through swampland and moss-laden forest and continue alongside rivers, lakes and streams with constant views of the alps and mountains around you. This walk is in a valley so can be done any time of year as long as the weather is ok. There are a lot of river and creek crossings which can be difficult to impossible after heavy rain. Some have bridges and others have a three-wire ‘bridge’ but some have nothing. Be careful of the weather.

At Martins Bay you might see penguins, dolphins and seals. Its a super cool ending to a wet but wonderful walk (well it might not be wet for you)!

There is a helicopter and bus transport service from either Te Anau or Milford Sound – not cheap (around $1000) but it would be very cool I’m sure! There used to be plane flights but this unfortunately seems to be discontinued – check with DoC or Visit Fiordland before you go in case there is a jet boat or plane service started back up – the plane was great and I’m sure the helicopter is too.
Otherwise you have to walk back out!

Stay in Queenstown before or after your hike at..

…any of the place listed in walk 9 above.

Bonus – The Copeland Track to Welcome Flat Hut

Distance: 36 km (return)
Duration: 2 days

This is a tougher 7 hour each way hike that is subject to weather events. Always check with DoC at the local center before leaving as it can become quite dangerous.

The track involves boulder hopping along the river, crossing landslides, forest tracks, and great views. But the best is arriving at the Welcome Flat hut where you can soak in the hot pools – and the stunning mountain scenery. I highly recommend taking a book and cards and spending an extra day lazing in the hot water.

On the West Coast just outside Fox Glacier (by the Bella Vista Motel) is the Minnehaha Walk. It’s a 20min loop walk and you know what you’re going to find there at night right? Glow-worms. They wont be all in one place like in the caves, but keep an eye out for them as you wander along by the stream. Its a pretty walk, day or night!

Don’t forget the torch or phone torch!

Stay in Fox Glacier or Franz Josef before or after your hike at..

Higher End – Rainforest Deluxe

Mid Range – Aspen Court Franz Josef, or, Te Weheka Hotel Fox Glacier

Budget – Mt Cook View Motel – Fox Glacier

For backpackers, try the Ivory Towers Backpacker Lodge

Summary: the best multi-day hikes in the South Island

There are of course plenty of “Great walks” to hike in the south Island – the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the Heaphy Track, the Paparoa Track, the Milford Track, the Routeburn Track, the Kepler Track, the Rakiura Track and the Hump Ridge Track.

However, there are plenty of other options and the ones I’ve covered here are some of the best multi-day hikes in the South Island.

But, yes there are more – so please do comment if you have one you think should have made this list. It was hard to choose!

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