10 hikes you need to experience in New Zealand

New Zealand was the second most popular international destination for Aussies (after Indonesia) in 2024, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. And one of the best ways to truly soak up its cinematic beauty is to sign up for a hike. With that in mind, we have rounded up the country's best walks - from adventures you can pack in a single day to heart-racing multi-day journeys worthy of your bucket list.

Location: North Island; Length: Seven kilometres; Duration: Two hours; Difficulty: Easy

Located on Rangitoto Island, just off the coast of Auckland, this trail is ideal for those short on time. A 25-minute ferry from North Island's biggest city will take you to this volcanic island, where a seven-kilometre walk winds its way through lava caves and craters, several swimming spots and the island's 259-metre-high summit with wide-angle water and Auckland city views. All you need is half a day and a moderate level of fitness.

Location: South Island; Length: 1.7 kilometres; Duration: 30 minutes; Difficulty: Easy

The road trip from Greymouth on South Island's west coast to Queenstown in Central Otago is one of the world's most scenic drives - a non-stop roll call of sweeping valleys, sky-piercing-mountains, glass-still lakes, ocean lookouts and dramatic glaciers, with Franz Josef being the most famous of them. Most passers-by, however, only see it from a distance. But you only have to sign up for a 30-minute, 1.7-kilometre walk to truly witness the magnificence of the Franz Josef Glacier valley, complete with mountains, rivers and waterfalls.

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Location: North Island; Length: 8.2 kilometres; Duration: 8 hours; Difficulty: Intermediate

It would take a lifetime to explore the 144 islands that comprise the Bay of Islands region in Northland, located about four hours north of Auckland. But it only takes about eight hours to check out its top highlights thanks to this 8.2-kilometre hike. Kick off the adventure in the charming coastal town of Paihia and walk (about three hours) to the equally stunning settlement of Opua. Then take a ferry to Okiato, where you can resume your walk, heading towards the historic town of Russell (about 3.5 hours away). Your reward? Unforgettable bay, mountain, cliff and island views at every turn, as well as rare wildlife encounters - from native birds such as weka and kiwi to resident dolphins and migrating whales.

Location: North Island; Length: 24 kilometres; Duration: 1-3 days; Difficulty: Intermediate

Far from the extensive coastlines of the country, this 24-kilometre, three-day loop in Tararua Forest Park shines a light on a completely different topography of New Zealand, rich with tussock highlands and native beech forests. A hike to the summit of the 1470-metre-high Mount Holdsworth rewards adventurers with 360-degree views of the Wairarapa farmland and the rugged Tararua mountain range, with hikers' huts providing accommodation along the way.

Location: South Island; Length: 51 kilometres; Duration: 5 days; Difficulty: Intermediate

This is serious hiking territory. To embark on this epic trail, you'll need to fly to Nelson, which is a 75-minute flight from Auckland. Then, head to the Nelson Tasman region, which is about a 40-minute drive away. But the hike - with white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, beech forests, scenic suspension bridges, isolated coves and magnificent bays - is worth it, with campsites and other forms of accommodation along the way to break the journey.

Location: South Island; Length: 53.5 kilometres; Duration: 4 days; Difficulty: Intermediate

And now for the piece de resistance. Fiordland National Park is one of the world's most scenic settings, with Milford Sound the pinnacle of its prettiness. Witness its staggering beauty - steep mountains, enormous valleys and roaring waters (including Sutherland Falls, the country's tallest) - as part of this monumental walk, best tackled between late October and late April.

Fret not if you don't have the time to go beyond the urban areas in New Zealand for a heart-racing hike. There are stunning trails close to the towns, too. Here's our pick of four of the best.

1. Queenstown Hill Time Walk: A four-minute drive from the heart of Queenstown will take you to the start of this three-hour, 4.2-kilometre trail. Climb through pine forests to reach the 500-metre-high summit of the Te Tapu-nui mountain for a bird's-eye view of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

2. Mount Eden Path: This 40-minute, 2.1-kilometre trail in Auckland is a crowd favourite - more than one million visitors tackle it every year. And for good reason: once you reach the summit, the views over the city and Waitemata Harbour are something else.

3. Signal Hill Track: You can tackle this almost-11-kilometre trail on two feet in about three hours in Dunedin, but if you would rather hop on two wheels, there are mountain-biking tracks, too, with steep slopes, jump lines and rock gardens.

4. Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway: The Orongorongo Ranges in the north, and the peaks of the Southern Alps of the South Island in the south - this 2.6-kilometre walk to Mount Victoria in Wellington offers glimpses of some seriously faraway locations of New Zealand, with the host city laid out right beneath you like a pack of cards. And it only takes 90 minutes to complete.