Te Araroa A to Z Guide
Walking Te Araroa is the dream of many outdoor enthusiasts and since its inception in 2011, many thousands of people, including me, have achieved that dream.
Major highlights include a diverse landscape with alpine vistas, native forests, coastal trails , lakes and rivers, extraordinarily beautiful views and the opportunity to immerse yourself amongst the local culture. It traverses through seven of New Zealand’s sixteen territorial regions encompassing multiple National, Regional and Forest Parks.
Additional to the trail highlights, look forward to making lifetime friendships which you’ll develop with other trail walkers, an in-depth knowing and connection to this beautiful land and the enormous sense of achievement you’ll experience having completed a walk the length of the country.
The Freewheeling Kiwi Te Araroa A to Z Guide is written for hikers who dare to dream big and welcome the unknown.
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Ask Me Anything
If you’ve still questions or want clarification on any of the details in this Te Araroa A to Z Guide, you can Ask Me Anything
About - About Te Araroa
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
In New Zealand, ACC works like a compulsory personal insurance scheme. When someone gets injured as the result of an accident they are supported by ACC. It’s a no-fault scheme and doesn’t matter where the accident happens. Suing for damages for personal injury is not possible in New Zealand. Everyone including visitors are covered and can get the treatment and care they need to recover from their injuries. ACC is funded by us all in a number of different ways.
Accommodation - Te Araroa Accommodation
You’ll experience a wide variety of accommodation when hiking Te Araroa. Around 1,800 kilometres of the 3,000 kilometre trail is on Public Conservation Land (PCL) and there’s around ninety huts and campsites available along the entire trail for your use. For the remaining 1,200 kilometres you’ll need to access accommodation through private and commercial providers.
The majority of the trail in the South Island is on conservation land with nearly seventy huts or campsites. By comparison, there’s around twenty in the North Island and for this reason, accommodation in the North Island is more expensive.
One thing to consider when booking your other accommodation is its distance off trail and its location comparative to supplies. We found paying more was often worth it to avoid an extra hike back and forth to the supermarket or when returning to the trail the next morning
AirBnB / Baches / Holiday Homes - on private property and privately owned, purchase accommodation directly from provider. Are located in both suburban and rural locations.
Backpackers / Hostels / YHA - commercial accommodation in many larger towns, often a fairly central location and handy to supplies
Sharon Evans, Andrew Gash, Bluff Lodge, Southland, Te Araroa.jpg
Camping
Department of Conservation: You may freedom camp on public conservation land (except Department of Conservation DOC reserves) if the land is not listed as a prohibited (no camping ) site.
In theory, when Te Araroa crosses conservation land it means you can camp away from the designated "campsites". In practice, particularly in highly forested areas, it’s not that practical as our native forests are so verdant, you’ll struggle to find a couple of square metres dry, flat and not teeming with undergrowth. Most times, the only option is to put your tent up on the trail, fine in an emergency though not ideal otherwise.
Commercial: Most towns have a camping ground known as a "Holiday Park" and which may include powered and unpowered tent sites, cabins, shared backpacker rooms and motel units. Three places that did not have a campsite were Kaitaia (Northland), Manukau (Auckland) and Wellington City (Wellington).
Private: Some of the farms that you cross have generously made space available for Te Araroa walkers to camp overnight, refer to the Trail Notes for updates on this.
Mt Linton Station (Southland) hasn’t and being twenty five kilometres from boundary to boundary, may be a challenge to get through in daylight hours, particularly for north bound walkers still building their fitness.
Freedom Camping: Some councils allow people to freedom camp on council land, contact the council directly to find out if this option is available to you. Many of the Freedom Camping sites are restricted to self contained vehicles (has a toilet, shower and waste water facilities built in).
Motel Camping: When short of options, camping at motels may be an option that’s not alway publicly advertised. We experienced this in Mercer, Waikato and the second time in Bulls, Whanganui-Manawatu
Huts
Department of Conservation: DOC Hut’s offer plenty of character and range from the ancient like the Martin’s Hut built 1905 though recently refurbished to the more recently built (2023) such as Waiau Hut. The majority of the huts are on the South Island.
Hut categories include Basic, Serviced and Great Walk Huts. Basic Huts are included in the new Te Araroa Pass and operate on a first in, first served basis, that is, a bunk is not guaranteed, hence the need to carry a tent. Serviced and Great Walk Huts need to be booked directly with DOC which then secures your bunk for the night.
Private: Avonburn Station in Canterbury have generously made their Tin Hut available to Te Araroa walker. Note also that some of the huts on conservation land are privately administered such as the Camp Stream Hut and owned and managed by the Mackenzie Alpine Trust. In these situations, you pay for the facility by way of donation at the hut, typically $10.
Harper Pass Bivvy, Te Araroa, Canterbury
Motels / Hotels: Available in all towns and with a variety of facilities. Motels will usually have laundry facilities and generally outdoor space to dry your tent and gear.
Trail Angels
The Te Araroa Angels have an active Facebook Group.
A Trail Angel is someone who provides an awesome service to a weary hiker such as a campsite or a drink, meal or even a shower without an expectation of anything in return.
In New Zealand, it is thoughtful to offer a koha, gift or a donation to show your appreciation and typically equivalent to what you’d pay for a similar service with a commercial operator.
Age - Te Araroa Youngest Hiker and Oldest Hiker
In 2020 Goldie Gerlach started the walk with her family when she was five and turned six en route. During that season, they were unable to safely complete a couple of sections due to river levels and planned to return. As it turned out, we shared a shuttle and couple of days with the Gerlach family in Canterbury as they completed the sections they’d missed previously.
At seventy six, Ken Ash walked the trail during the 2016/2017 season raising funds for New Zealand Neurological Foundation. We also heard of Mary, an eighty year old who had completed the trail.
Alerts - Te Araroa Alerts
Firstly, if you’re not from New Zealand and assuming you’re not knowingly in harm’s way, don’t be alarmed by our Emergency Services Sirens which sound like air raid alarms! This long repeating siren is for the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Crew who are called out to fires and traffic accidents.
The Department of Conservation issues written alerts, examples being track maintenance, poison spreading, predator control and a damaged or closed track. You can view them on the DOC website when you link through to the specific track and DOC will also use signage at the trailheads of a track or at main junctions. Te Araroa Alerts mirrors these alerts and it pays to stay updated as they can change daily.
If there’s an emergency (tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption etcetera) Civil Defence have a multi channel approach to issuing warnings and alerts. If you’re near town, you’ll likely hear a siren. If you’ve a capable mobile phone, a message will be sent about the emergency by the authorised emergency agency. This is not a common occurrence and I’ve never heard one though have received the test messages on my phone.
When we were headed to the Ratea Forest, Northland, the Search and Rescue team were conducting a rescue of a Te Araroa walker who had slipped and hurt themselves. It was recommended that we bypass that section of trail due to the poor conditions. We chose to follow their directive, they were the locals and knew what they were dealing with, instead, we took a bypass track and were fine.
Animals - Are there Dangerous Animals on Te Araroa
Are there any dangerous animals on Te Araroa?
On our first morning in the Te Paki Dunes, we woke to find dog footprints in the sand around our tents and wild horses in the dunes. We didn’t actually see the dogs and can only assume they were the wild dogs that we had been told about.
We saw wild horses every day as we walked along 90 Mile Beach and one day, had to walk through them as we approached the Bluff Campsite.
When walking through Northland, we had many domestic dogs run at their property fences barking at us and on occasion, they’d come out on to the road to bark aggressively at us. This didn’t occur elsewhere to the same degree.
In the bush we occasionally saw goats and deer who quickly melted out of sight. One night I met a possum on the hut’s deck and I’m not sure who was the more startled.
The Weka (flightless bird), while not a danger as such, are incredibly mischievous and their curiosity knows no bounds. The highest density of Weka were on Queen Charlotte Track where they consistently tried to steal anything not tied down including trail shoes!
At Camp Bay we saw a dozen stingrays right on the shoreline.
The only fur seals we saw were dead ones on 90 Mile Beach. If they’d been alive, we’d have given them a very wide berth as they are unpredictable and do not like to be disturbed. Like any Mum, the female fur seals can be aggressive if they feel you’re a danger to their pups.
Most farm animals we met were on farms or stations though on occasion, they’d be on the roadside as the fences were either inadequate or the farmer was "grazing the long acre" and the stock was contained behind an electric fence.
Either way, it’s necessary to walk past them and best to do so quietly and confidently, keeping as much distance as practical.
On farms we walked in the same paddocks as dairy cows, beef cattle, bulls, sheep and horses. On roadsides the wandering farm stock we passed included sheep, cattle, pigs and horses.
Wild Horses, Te Paki Dunes, Te Araroa
Angels - Are there Trail Angels on Te Araroa
A Trail Angel is someone who provides an awesome service to a weary hiker such as a campsite or a hot drink, meal or even a shower without an expectation of anything in return. In New Zealand it is thoughtful to offer a koha, gift or a donation to show your appreciation and typically equivalent to what you’d pay for a similar service with a commercial operator.
Angels varied from those that had no expectation of payment stating it was their way to support the trail to one who was clearly running an undercover commercial operation. In this instance, only cash would be accepted.
There is no standard fee or level of service and it’s important to be very clear in communications ahead of time so as to no awkwardness.
If considering taking a gift, it may be simplest to take a supermarket voucher as we were kindly welcomed by families who didn’t for example, drink alcohol nor eat chocolate, dairy or meat products.
Te Araroa Angels play an integral part to the experience, even if you choose not to stay with them, you’ll find them active on the social media channels, offering advise, tips and tricks which will enhance your experience.
Apps - Te Araroa Comprehensive App List
FarOut formerly GutHook
Te Araroa App
Te Araroa Notes and Maps App
NZ Topo 50 North Island
NZ Topo 50 South Island
Garmin Connect - or the App for whichever satellite communicator you’re using
New World Supermarket Loyalty Card
Woolworths Supermarket Loyalty Card
Air BnB
Average Time - What’s Te Araroa Average Time?
There’s no accurate data on the average time it takes someone to complete Te Araroa.
When planning our itinerary the length of the trail was 3,029 kilometres. I allowed between one hundred and ten days at an average of twenty eight kilometres a day and one hundred and thirty days at an average twenty three kilometres a day. It took us one hundred and thirty three days.
We met hikers who were trying to compress the entire trail into their three month visa which meant an average of a thousand kilometres a month. Then there were others who were taking a more leisurely six months, going off track on occasion to experience other parts of New Zealand.
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Backpack - Te Araroa Backpack
Your backpack is one of your three main items of gear, the others being your tent and sleeping bag. It pays to have one that fits comfortably when fully loaded, that is your base weight plus your consumables being food, water and fuel. It needs to provide enough space to carry up to ten days of food supplies as you’ll need them potentially in the Tararua, Richmond Range and Nelson Lakes sections. You’ll also need a rain cover for your backpack, many backpacks now come come with a rain cover but check as they don’t always.
Andrew Gash, Travers Saddle, Nelson Lakes, Te Araroa
Base Weight - Te Araroa Base Weight
Your base weight is the weight of all your gear including your backpack and worn clothes/footwear but excluding your consumables being your fuel, food and water. As you create your Te Araroa gear list, document and weigh everything as the process will force you to give more consideration to your choices.
Now you’ve weighed everything and packed it all away neatly, take everything out. Then, line up your pack, pack rain cover, tent, fly and footprint and wet them in the shower or with a garden hose before weighing them again. A bit of water makes an almighty difference and it most definitely does rain in New Zealand.
Best Time to Start - Te Araroa Best Time to Start
Te Araroa is a summer hike, undertaken when the harshest weather has hopefully passed and the snow melt has occurred thereby decreasing the depth and ferocity of the rivers. If you want to attempt it in winter, add alpine experience to your list of essential skills and an ice axe plus crampons to your kit. On second thoughts, don’t even contemplate it as it’s way too dangerous.
There’s no accurate data on when most people start Te Araroa however based on Te Araroa Trust registrations, conversations and social media activity, it appears the bulk of southbound hikers depart Cape Reinga late October or early November and those headed northbound are leaving Bluff in late November or early December.
Those going north are coming from a colder place therefore have to wait for the snow melt as well as the lambing season to finish. Check out my entry on climate for a comprehensive look at what you’ll likely encounter.
Many New Zealanders take their annual holidays in the summer, combining the Christmas and New Year’s public holidays into one long summer’s break stretching well into January. North bound and south bound Te Araroa hikers and holidaying locals are likely to all descend upon the Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough and neighbouring sections creating the perfect storm of not enough bunks or tent sites to go around. Because of the popularity of some of the trails in this area, the huts must be pre-booked.
Refer also #Dates - Te Araroa Best Start Date
Best Section - Te Araroa Best Section
Te Araroa is unmatched for diversity and over the course of the trail, you’ll walk through ten of New Zealand’s fifteen regions, each vastly different to the last.
North Island Regional Highlights include:
Northland - Te Araroa northern terminus at Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Te Paki’s giant sand dunes, coastal beaches, laidback seaside towns, native forests, history and cultural experiences
Auckland - native forest tracks, Puhoi River, New Zealand’s largest city, dormant volcanoes, east coast beaches, Auckland and Manukau harbours, a city vibe
Waikato - stunning dairy farmland, the Waikato River - New Zealand’s longest river, Hamilton, Mount Pirongia, the Timber Trail, beautiful native forests and bird life
Whanganui-Manawatu - Tongariro National Park and volcanoes, Whanganui National Park and River, wild west coast beaches, country towns and Palmerston North.
Wellington - the Tararua Range, Kapiti coast, escarpment track, the capital city with it art, museums and cafe culture, the glorious Wellington Harbour and a ferry crossing to the South Island
South Island Regional Highlights include:
Marlborough - Picton water taxi to Queen Charlotte Sound and Track, Marlborough Sounds, dolphins, weka (birds), beech forests and many hidden coves for swimming
Tasman-Nelson - Nelson Lakes National Park, crystal clear lakes and sparkling rivers, beech forests, alpine passes, breathtaking landscapes and the curious Red Hills geology
Canterbury - the Southern Alps, turquoise lakes, high country sheep stations, views of Mount Cook - New Zealand’s highest mountain, muster’s huts, Arthur’s Pass National Park
Otago - deep deep blue lakes, Clutha River, resort towns of Wanaka and Queenstown, thrill seeking vibes, picture postcard views
Southland - majestic Mavora Lakes, dense native forests, quirky seaside towns, Riverton harbour, windswept southern coast, Invercargill and Te Araroa southern terminus
Bike - Can You Bike Te Araroa?
Te Araroa is a walking trail though there are some sections suitable to biking. We hired bikes for the Timber Trail and Lake Tekapo to Twizel sections and enjoyed the change in pace. Other Te Araroa walkers continued on by bike from Twizel through to Ohau using a slightly different route.
Other shared bike and walking trails set up with bike hire facilities and bag transfers include the Whanganui River section and Queen Charlotte Track. We also knew trail walkers who hired bikes for the Whanganui to Palmerston North section though they went a slightly different route, bypassing the beautiful yet wild Turakina Beach
Tour Aotearoa is a bike trail which starts at Cape Reinga and goes to Bluff, covering some of the same tracks and also around three thousand kilometres. The two are NOT one and the same. Tour Aotearoa is one of the world’s great bikepacking trips and follows a combination of cycle trails, tracks, paths and lanes connected by the most enjoyable country roads available.
Perhaps when you complete your walk, you can turn around and return by bike.
Sharon Evans, Timber Trail, Whanganui-Manawatu, Te Araroa
Blog - Te Araroa Blog
Without a doubt or a shred of vested interest, the best Te Araroa Blog is the Freewheeling Kiwi Te Araroa Blog
Bluff Trailhead - Te Araroa Southern Trailhead
The southern trailhead of Te Araroa is in Bluff, more specifically, it’s Stirling Point. This is not the most southerly point of the South Island, that is Slope Point
Book - Te Araroa Book
Click the book image or the book title to view more.
Geoff Chapple
The official guide to New Zealand's greatest walk. This is the guidebook of Te Araroa: The Long Pathway, a continuous trail running from Cape Reinga to Bluff, 35 years in the making, which officially opened in late 2011.
Mark Watson
In January 2015 Mark Watson left sunny Cape Reinga to walk and photograph the length of Te Araroa. The journey would take him nearly six months, through constantly changing landscape, geology, and many different kinds of forest.
Booking - Te Araroa Booking
Te Araroa does not require booking however it’s recommended that you do register. As a registered walker, you’ll have access to the most up to date information, support and benefits through Te Araroa Trust’s trail partners. You’ll receive a Te Araroa walker information pack and merchandise exclusive to registered walkers.
Boots - Best Boots for Te Araroa
The trail surface when hiking Te Araroa includes sand, gravel, rubble, grass, packed earth, soil, rocks, moraine, pavement, pugged farmland, road, marsh, swamp, mud, river, timber and roots.
Depending on the weather, you may experience everything from heat, rain, ice and snow and there are recommendations that you have waterproof footwear.
Compared to walking shoes or trail runners, boots offer greater ankle support at the cost of being much heavier and more so, if they’re wet. My preference is for trail runners due to their lightness. When hiking the trail, most other hikers were wearing trail runners.
Whatever you choose, the most important feature of your footwear is that you’ve thoroughly broken them in by hiking on trails with your weighted backpack before beginning your Te Araroa journey.
I have written a comprehensive article on all the gear that you’ll require to walk Te Araroa.
Te Araroa Essential Gear List Essentials.
Watch the video that I made prior to starting: What I’m taking to walk 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand
Bounce Box - Te Araroa Bounce Box
A bounce box has sometimes-used necessities and can be repeatedly mailed ahead of you on the trail.
Budget - Te Araroa Budget
There’s no fixed budget for hiking Te Araroa as everyone’s lifestyle is different, how they experience the trail is different and the length of time it takes is different. This does not include your gear cost as many people will have gathered some of the necessary gear over a period of time, topping it up with some items they feel are specific to Te Araroa.
Before your Te Araroa hike
Gear; some of you may have gathered the necessary gear and equipment over a period of time, topping it up with some items you feel are specific to Te Araroa. Others of you may be starting from scratch
Travel costs; from your home to the start of the trail
During your Te Araroa Hike
On trail costs; food, accommodation, transfers, shuttles, ferries, water taxis, passes, registration
In town costs; food, accommodation, laundry, entertainment, gifts, donations, hairdresser, day spa ;)
Consumable costs; other than food, there’s gas/fuel, mediations, painkillers, bandages, insect repellent, SIM cards, wi-fi and more insect repellent
Additional costs; new equipment or gear that you didn’t know you’d need
Replacement costs; equipment or gear replacements such as footwear and socks
Substitution costs; equipment or gear that you substitute for hopefully something more suited to the trail
Sent from home costs; postage for resupply boxes
Sent to home costs; postage for all the luxuries you packed and then sent home again
Side Quests; either to plan as you’ve decided to include another nearby trail such as Cape Brett, Routeburn, Round the Mountain, Abel Tasman Coast Track or Rakiura Stewart Island.
Detours; Not to plan as the weather has enforced a detour.
Emergency fund; because you just never know!
Discretionary funds; you will be somewhere on trail or in town over the Christmas and New Year period, remember to budget for a bit of spontaneity or souvenirs
After your Te Araroa Hike
Travel costs; zigzagging to revisit new friends and from the end of the trail to your home
Re-emergence funds; for life post trail as you re-establish yourself back in society
Bugs - Are there bugs on Te Araroa
New Zealand is home to thousands of fascinating insects, spiders, slugs, snails, centipedes, springtails and other “bugs”. The ones that you’re most likely to meet on Trail are sandflies, mosquitoes and wasps.
Sandflies: We’ve nineteen species of sandfly (blackfly) alone. The good news is that only three of the nineteen will bite you. The New Zealand blackfly, West Coast blackfly and A. tillyardianum all look the same, these tiny wee bugs are about two or three millimetres in length. You might not see them but you’ll know when they’ve visited. Sandflies breed in running water and you’ll find many of them in areas near water and humid bush, for example beaches, lakes, rivers and swamps. They are day biters, mostly biting at dawn and dusk. They don’t carry disease however leave a very itchy bite site.
Mosquitoes: The vigilant mosquito is the most common mozzie in New Zealand, it breeds in a wide variety of habitats, almost anywhere water is collecting and is found throughout the country. These friendly bugs at least give some warning when they’e flying, you’ll hear their high pitched whine about the time you’d like to be dropping off to sleep in your tent. They’re a nocturnal biter and include humans in their list of potential blood sources.
Wasps: New Zealand has some of the highest densities of German and common wasps in the world, they’re similar in appearance and both have the characteristic black and yellow colouration. The wasps love the honeydew found on beech trunks and you’ll see many of them in the South Island Beech Forests.
Asian and Australian paper wasps are not as much as a problem. The Asian paper wasp lives in the North Island and top of the South Island. The Australian paper wasp remains confined to the north of the North Island.
There’s several kinds of native wasps which have never become a nuisance.
Spiders: Although I’ve never seen these spiders on trail, be aware of the White Tail Spider, a largish spider a centimetre or more in length and with a white stripe on its tail. I have seen them in urban settings including my home. Apparently they also inhabit the bush and might turn up in huts. The White Tail Spider can be aggressive and has a painful bite. The second spider to watch out for is the Katipo spider which is small with red markings, Katipo prefer sandy beaches and nest around the roots of dune grasses. I’ve never seen a Katipo in real life.
Giardia: Giardia is a parasite found in the guts of people and animals such as cattle, sheep, cats and dogs. It’s also found in infected water such as lakes and streams. Giardia can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
Sharon Evans, Sandflies, Canterbury, Te Araroa
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Cape Reinga Trailhead - Te Araroa Northern Trailhead
The northern trailhead of Te Araroa is Cape Reinga, more specifically, the Cape Reinga Lighthouse.
This is not the most northerly point of the North Island, that is the Surville Cliffs at North Cape.
Camp and Camp Ground - Te Araroa Camp Ground
Canoe - Te Araroa Canoe
There’s a couple of places that you may like to give the feet a rest and pick up a paddle instead.
Whanganui River: Te Araroa provides both a walking and canoe option for the Whakahoro to Whanganui Section in the Manawatu-Whanganui Region.
Canoe: From Whakahoro you can journey on the Whanganui River all the way to Whanganui (city) or part way by canoe. If choosing part way, such as Pipiriki, you then rejoin the walking route. Incidentally, if you’re happy to miss the 42nd Traverse and Tongariro sections, you can start your canoe trip as far north as Taumarunui. The Whanganui Journey is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks starting at Taumarunui and finishing at Pipiriki. As you’ll canoe part of this section, you’ll need to book the Great Walks accommodation (huts/camps) in advance. This is a multi-day canoe journey from between three and ten days depending where you start.
Walking: Refer to the Freewheeling Kiwi Map 8 Te Araroa.
Puhoi River: It’s possible to hire canoes for the Puhoi to Waiwera Section in Northland. This is a half day canoe journey and you’ll need an outgoing tide. Map 4 Te Araroa
Clothes - Te Araroa Gear List
I have written a comprehensive article on all the gear that you’ll require to walk Te Araroa.
Te Araroa Essential Gear List Essentials.
Watch the video that I made prior to starting: What I’m taking to walk 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand
Communications - Te Araroa Communications
While New Zealand’s mobile phone coverage network is good in urban areas, you’ll not have reliable coverage in the backcountry which is where you are heading on Te Araroa. Being able to communicate with others can be a lifesaver in an emergency and it’s best practice to carry a second communication device rather than rely on your mobile phone.
In addition to your phone, take a satellite messenger device or a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and know how to use them before you NEED to use them. New Zealand’s Mountain Safety Council have a very good article that includes a comparison between the features of a PLB, Mountain Radio, Satellite Messenger Device, Satellite Phone and a Mobile Phone. It may surprise you that the mobile phone provides the least features for emergency purposes. PLB’s and satellite messenger devices can be hired so there’s no excuses for not having one.
Cost - Budget - Te Araroa Cost
Refer #Budget - Te Araroa Budget
Crowds - How Many People Walk Te Araroa
Many thousands of people walk Te Araroa each year either in sections or end to end, of those completing a thru hike the majority travel south bound, that is, from Cape Reinga to Bluff. It’s thought that around 2,000 walkers complete the trail as a continuous journey each year.
Cycle Trail
Sharon Evans, Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail, Te Araroa
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Day by Day - Te Araroa Day by Day
While on trail I created and published a vlog for each of the 133 days that it took us to walk from Cape Reinga to Bluff. These vlogs are a raw and authentic account of our life on trail. Since completing Te Araroa, I have now combined the vlogs with daily blogs and interactive maps providing the complete picture of where we were and what happened.
Dates - Te Araroa Best Start Date
Te Araroa is a summer walk however as it’ll likely take you one hundred to one hundred and forty days to complete the full Trail, you’ll possibly start in spring and finish in autumn. We started at Cape Reinga on 2nd October and finished at Bluff on 13th February.
Many sections of Te Araroa cross private land and have seasonal closures for lambing that affect the trail between August and November. South bound you’ll encounter this first at Mount William, Bombay and north bound, Linton Station, Southland
South Bound (SOBO) - both islands:
Earliest Start: late September
Latest Start: December
Latest Finish: April
North Bound (NOBO) - both islands:
Earliest Start: November
Latest Start: January
Latest Finish: May
NOBO / SOBO South Island only:
Earliest Start: November
Latest Start: February
Latest Finish: April
SOBO North Island only:
Earliest Start: late September
Latest Start: February
Latest Finish: April
NOBO North Island only
Earliest Start: November
Latest Start: February
Latest Finish: April
Dangerous Animals - Dangerous Animals in New Zealand
When it comes to hiking, New Zealand is a hikers paradise as there’s no dangerous wild animals. As a general rule, don’t approach any wildlife or farm animals
Andrew Gash, Cows, Karamu Walkway, Waikato, Te Araroa
Danger - Is Te Araroa Dangerous
Te Araroa is diverse with the route passing over high mountain passes, around volcanoes, across sweeping plains, alongside and in rivers and through cities and towns.
As with any activity, particularly outdoors there’s dangers to be aware of.
You can mitigate dangers and possible accidents by being prepared. The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council recommends that all hikers heading into the backcountry consider the following
1. Choose the right trip for you
2. Understand the weather
3. Pack warm clothes, extra food and a backup means of navigation
4. Carry emergency equipment
5. Share your plans
6. Take ways to get help
7. Take care of yourself and each other.
Listed below are some potential dangers or situations that could escalate into a dangerous situation and not just in the backcountry.
Physical Dangers
River Crossings
Stream Crossings
Swing Bridges
Swamp Crossings
Incoming Tides
Rip Current
Estuary Crossings
Volcanoes
Thermal Hot Springs
Remote Terrain
Heights
Exposed Ridges
Sidlings
Scree
Fires
Landslide
Road Walking
Hitch Hiking
Vehicles
Canoeing
Kayaking
Biking
Exposure to Weather
Hypothermia
Sunburn
Windburn
Snow Blindness
Illness
Poor Navigation
Getting Lost
Deadly Shortcuts
Farm Animals
Electric Fences
Trespassing
Foraging Poisonous Mushrooms/Berries
Food and Water Poisoning
Guns and Knives - Hunters
Mental and Emotional Dangers
Raw Emotions
Loneliness
Fear
Stress
Mental Fatigue
Mental Shortcuts
Sharon Evans, Tararua Range, Te Araroa
Deaths - Te Araroa Deaths
2013 - Andy Wyatt, British - Waiau Pass - The First Man to Die on Te Araroa
2023 - Petr Cech, Czech Republic - Richmond Ranges - Te Araroa Tramper Drowned While Tackling Challenging Route Coroner Finds
Be careful.
Department of Conservation DOC
The Department of Conservation was set up to manage, for conservation purposes, land and natural and historic resources held under the Department of Conservation Act. DOC is a government agency.
Difficult - Is Te Araroa Difficult
Te Araroa is a diverse mix of changing landscapes including urban, rural and wilderness areas. The route following forest trails, connector roads, sandy and rocky beaches, rugged mountain passes, river crossings, challenging single track and steep sidlings.
It’s certainly not a walk in the park and many of the tracks have Department of Conservation warning signs recommending that only experience hikers proceed further.
Despite the difficulties however, every year, thousands of hikers from all over the world and from all walks of life, successfully complete the 3,000 kilometre trail.
Distance - Te Araroa Distance
Described as a 3,000 kilometre trail, the actual distance of Te Araroa will vary from year to year with corrections or when old routes are no longer available and new routes take their place. Examples of this are when a forest route is closed due to a track closure brought on, for example, by Kauri Dieback Disease or a private property sells and the new owner no longer permits the trail access. The trail may may also change during the walking season and the Te Araroa - Trail App will be updated to reflect the changes.
During the 2023/2024 season the trail was 3,029 kilometres
August 2024:
Te Araroa: Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Northland to Stirling Point, Bluff, Southland 3,039 kilometres
North Island. Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Northland to Island Bay, Wellington 0 to 1,726 kilometres. 1,726 kilometres total.
South Island. Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound to Stirling Point, Bluff, Southland. 1,727 to 3,039 kilometres. 1,312 kilometres total.
Click the Te Araroa Distance Chart image to open in full screen
Donation - Te Araroa Donation
Te Araroa Trust is a registered charity, with the majority of its income from donations to care for and enhance the trail. Every dollar donated is spent directly on trail improvements and development.
The Trust’s recommended donation is:
$850 - thru walkers, walking both islands
$500 - thru walkers, walking one island
$250 - section walkers
Most walkers donate at the same time as registering.
Drone - Can I Use a Drone on Te Araroa
You must have a concession (permit) from the Department of Conservation (DOC) to fly a drone on public conservation land for any reason, including private and non-commercial use.
A concession (permit) ensures you:
protect the local wildlife
respect Māori cultural values by involving hapū and iwi
let others enjoy the outdoors too
consider people’s privacy
prevent accidents and interference by following Civil Aviation Authority rules
follow relevant policies and plans.
On a side note, the one item that I saw mailed "home" more than anything else were heavy cameras. Also, given the restrictions on where you can use a drone, the chance that the weather being suitable for a drone in the remaining areas is likely to be limited and simply not worth the extra weight.
Duration - Te Araroa Duration
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Earbuds - Te Araroa Earbuds
I am a light sleeper and found earbuds helped particularly when sleeping in huts or busier campsites.
EFI - Te Araroa EFI
The Trail EFI is a purist, this hiker walks Every F***ing Inch of the trail, determinedly ticking off every kilometre no matter the danger of the trail or the difficulty of the road sections. They won’t deviate off trail, nor take short cuts or jump sections. This isn’t strictly possible on Te Araroa as there’s Cook Strait to be crossed by ferry and three shuttle transfers being around the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers where the trail stops either side as well as the transfer from Queenstown to the Greenstone Track Trailhead. We met several hikers who started with the intention of EFI, excluding the ferry and transfers mentioned before, however the reality of the changing trail conditions and weather eventually forced adaptations. Hike your own hike.
Electronics - How to Charge Electronics for Te Araroa
Check out my video which covers this topic in depth: Keep your phone charged while hiking and backpacking
Elevation - Te Araroa Elevation Gain
Elevation ranges from sea level as you walk the many beaches in Northland, Auckland, Whanganui-Manawatu, Wellington, Marlborough and Southland. High points and highlights include the 1,731 metre high Mount Rintoul in the Richmond Range, the 1,870 metre Waiau Pass in Nelson Lakes, 1,886 metres on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and all the way up to the highest as you cross over Canterbury’s Stag Saddle, a lofty 1,925 metres above sea level.
Freewheeling Kiwi statistics from our 2023-2024 walk of Te Araroa
Total Elevation Gain 56,790 metres - Equivalent to climbing Everest 6.4 times
Average Daily Elevation Gain 424 metres
Median Daily Elevation Gain 346 metres
Maximum Daily Elevation Gain 1,750 metres Ferns Burn Hut to Roses Hut, Motatapu Track
Click on the Te Araroa Elevation Gains image to open in full screen
Essentials - Te Araroa Essentials
I have written a comprehensive article on all the gear that you’ll require to walk Te Araroa.
Te Araroa Essential Gear List Essentials.
Watch the video that I made prior to starting: What I’m taking to walk 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand
The Bare Essentials:
Trail Pass
Travel insurance
Passport and travel documents
Cash and money cards
Clothes
Toiletries
First aid, emergency and repair kits
Tech and electronics
Emergency Communication Devices
Camera
Backpack
Sleeping bag
Tent
Hiking poles
Food, water, gas
Stove, pot
Reusable water bottles
Rubbish bag
Torch
Etiquette - Te Araroa Etiquette
"This is about respecting the people, communities, landscapes and wildlife you will meet along your way and ensuring that everyone can enjoy Te Araroa for generations to come"
The Department of Conservation notes that DOC managed backcountry huts are more basic than backpacker hostels. They don't have showers, hot water, cooking and eating utensils or bed linen. You can't buy food or equipment.
Keep huts clean and tidy. A broom, brush and pan are provided—use them, and leave muddy boots outside.
Conserve gas when using gas heaters and cookers. During cooking always open a window or door to allow dangerous carbon monoxide fumes to escape. Keep an eye on boiling water/food, and be sure to turn gas heaters off overnight and make sure it is properly off when you leave.
Take care using wood burners, keep the fire contained and never leave it unattended. Only burn dead dry wood and be careful with hot ashes. Make sure the fire is extinguished before leaving. Use wood sparingly and replace any you use for the next visitors.
Share huts with others by being considerate, make room for late comers and keep quiet if others are sleeping. Share boiled water with other trampers to help conserve gas.
Carry it in, carry it out – recycle ALL your rubbish. Take two bags, one for recycling and the other for rubbish/food scraps to carry out with you and dispose of responsibly.
No smoking in huts, take your cigarette butts out with the rest of your rubbish.
Hunters must follow the Firearms and Safety Code.
No dogs allowed inside huts.
Before leaving, close doors and windows securely.
Always pay hut fees.
Expenses - Te Araroa Expenses
Refer #Budget - Te Araroa Budget
Experience - Te Araroa Experience
Te Araroa is a complete mix of grades that include easy beach walking, urban parks and lowland trails to challenging single track, muddy forests, rocky or shingle covered sidlings and endless river crossings.
The Department of Conservation has six walking track categories and you’ll encounter them all:
Easiest: Easy access short walk
Easiest: Short Walk
Easy: Walking Track
Intermediate: Great Walk/Easier tramping track
Advanced: Tramping Track
Expert: Route
Te Araroa is without a doubt a challenging undertaking however people without any or only limited previous hiking experience have successfully completed the walk.
As with any physical activity, train yourself as best you can, the fitter you are the more comfortable you will be and the greater your chance of success. There’s no “one size fits” all training programme as everyone is starting at a different base. In practice, there’s no training that will match day in day out hiking twenty or twenty five kilometres a day and you’ll walk into your fitness over time.
To give yourself the best chance, start hiking at least three months before your trip with regular trail and hill walking, take a backpack with you gradually increasing its weight to about ten kilograms so that you’re comfortable with the weight.
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Facebook - Te Araroa on Facebook
Te Araroa official Facebook page
Te Araroa 2024-2025 Facebook page
Te Araroa 2023-24 Facebook page
Te Araroa Angels Facebook page
Te Araroa: Women’s Group Facebook page
Fastest Known Time - Te Araroa Fastest Known Time FKT
The FKT or fastest known time to complete Te Araroa is held by George Henderson who did it in a speedy 49 days 14 hours and 27 minutes during the 2019/2020 season. What are you waiting for?
FAQ - Te Araroa FAQ
This Te Araroa A to Z Guide answers all the Frequently Asked Questions. For the quick version check out this page also.
First Aid Kit - Te Araroa First Aid Kit
Many moons ago, I backpacked for a few days with a Doctor in Java, Indonesia. Tom had recently finished his medical degree in London and was enjoying travel in South East Asia. His backpack was divided into two compartments, half being taken up by his first aid and medical supplies. I had sticky plasters and malaria tablets.
My point is, I’m not the one to advise on what first aid or medical supplies you’ll likely need. This is what I took and the only thing not used was the cleansing wipe.
Te Araroa - First Aid Kit
Nail scissors
Tweezers
Clippers
Needle / Safety Pin
Bandage crepe
Tape
Plasters
Cleansing Wipe
Te Araroa - Supplements / Medicine List
Multi vitamin
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
Antibiotics
Fitness - Te Araroa Fitness and Training
Food - Te Araroa Food Strategy
You will eat more than you expect. To give a simple example, over the course of walking 3,000 kilometres, we more than doubled the portion size of our breakfast. After 133 days on trail, both Andrew and I had each lost more than 10% of our starting body weight despite eating everything we could. This video nicely sums up our food strategy: Te Araroa Food Strategy, it covers planning for 750 meals, to dehydrating 200 of them and sending six resupply boxes.
The two major supermarkets in New Zealand offer loyalty cards/apps.
Food Drops - Te Araroa Food Drops
Footwear - Best Footwear for Te Araroa
This is one of those topics that many feel very strongly about with everyone having their favourite pair of shoes or boots. When we walked Te Araroa during the 2023/2024 season, the majority of hikers wore trail runners. While there were moments when boots may have offered more support, they’re simply not practical for a hike of this length.
The footwear suppliers recommend you replace your shoes at about 800 kilometres however you’ll know when it’s time. Your socks will need replacing around the same time. I was able to extend the life and comfort of my shoes by replacing the inner sole with a more padded one.
Andrew used five pairs of shoes.
Sharon used four pairs of shoes.
My only recommendation is that you thoroughly break your shoes in on messy trails and while carrying a heavy load before commencing your Te Araroa journey. My first shoes had already covered 300 backpacking kilometres yet I still had huge issues.
After starting, Andrew and I both went up a whole shoe size to give our feet more room.
As to whether you should buy your replacement pair of shoes ahead of starting and ready to be mailed on to you, as I was so confident in my choices, I did. Twelve months later, that unworn pair remains in my wardrobe.
Flooding - Te Araroa Flooding
If you’ve been in New Zealand more than a minute, you’ll be aware we get a lot of rain. Most areas of the country have between 600 and 1,600 mm of rainfall spread throughout the year though summer is supposedly dryer.
Many of our towns and cities are in coastal locations and can be affected by high rainfall combined with high tides.
If you’re caught in severe rain while on trail, be mindful when choosing your campsite. Choose an elevated campsite rather than in a low lying area such as at the bottom of a slope. What you’re looking for is somewhere that water won’t pool and where the hill side won’t slide down on you should there be a landslide brought on by the downpour. Be careful not to underestimate the speed that a stream or river will rise nor the distance that it will spread when in flood. What may look like a delightful stream in the morning, may be a raging torrent in the afternoon. If not elevated, try to scratch out a trench around your tent to divert the water away.
We were once caught by torrential rain and a flooded river which stopped us getting to the hut, which we could see across the valley. What followed was an extremely wet and uncomfortable night, check out the video "My hardest night in a tent!" This was not while on Te Araroa but translates well.
Freedom Camping - Te Araroa Freedom Camping
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Gaiters - Te Araroa Gear List
Gaiters are designed to offer more protection to your lower legs, ankles and feet, keeping dust, grit and rocks out of your footwear and protecting your clothing or bare legs from snags, tears and scratches. We didn’t use them on Te Araroa.
Getting to Start - Getting to the Start of Te Araroa
Getting to the start or to the Te Araroa Head can be very challenging, particularly to Cape Reinga as it is the most distant from town. Options include having friends or family drop you off, hitching a ride or using public transport, shuttles and water taxis.
North Island Trail Heads
Cape Reinga, Northland.
Kaitaia to Cape Reinga: I recommend that you join the Te Araroa facebook group and also the WhatsApp group that aligns with the month you’re starting so that you can ride share from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga. Not only does it keep the cost down, you’ll have immediate trail friends.
Refer #Facebook - Te Araroa on Facebook
Drive: Kaitaia to Cape Reinga Lighthouse 110km, 1 hour 30 minutes
Hitch: Start early from Kaitaia, it’s potentially a long day with not much traffic
Air: Fly to Auckland then Kaitaia then travel by shuttle/taxi
Bus: Intercity Bus to Kaitaia then by shuttle/taxi
Island Bay, Wellington.
Bus: Metlink from city centre to Island Bay
Taxi or Uber
South Island Trail Heads
Ship Cove, Marlborough
Air: Fly to Wellington then Picton then water taxi
Ferry: Wellington to Picton Ferry Interislander or Bluebridge then water taxi
Water Taxi: Picton to Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound
Stirling Point, Bluff
Drive: Invercargill to Stirling Point 29km, 27 minutes
Hitch: Do-able
Air: Fly to Invercargill then travel by taxi or shuttle
Shuttle: Invercargill to Stirling Point
Gear List - Te Araroa Gear List
I have written an entire article outlining the essential gear that you’ll need to complete Te Araroa safely.
Te Araroa Trail Ultimate Gear List
Google Maps - Te Araroa on Google Maps
On my Te Araroa Maps you will find our Te Araroa maps which account for our actual twenty weeks on the Trail. The Maps are interactive, click on them to increase the size or open in full screen.
Each of our Te Araroa Map represents seven days, this is our daily record based on our GPX files, including the unexpected detours that became necessary due to weather events, flooded rivers and gear failures.
View the maps alongside the daily blogs and vlogs which tell the full authentic story behind our 133 day journey from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
GPX
Great Walks - Te Araroa Great Walk
Te Araroa is not one of New Zealand’s official "Great Walks" but it is most definitely a Great Walk!
Aside from the diverse and spectacular scenery, I’d be the last person to describe Te Araroa like the quote above.
Te Araroa does touch on two of the Great Walks being;
Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Manawatu-Whanganui Blog, Vlog and Map
Whanganui Journey, Manawatu-Whanganui
While in the neighbourhood, you may like to include the following Great Walks as an extension or side quest to your Te Araroa walk.
Tongariro Northern Circuit, Manawatu-Whanganui - Check out my Videos of Tongariro Alpine Crossing and entire Tongariro Northern Circuit.
Routeburn Track, Otago which can be incorporated as an alternate lead in to the Greenstone Track. Check out my Videos of the Routeburn and Greenstone Track Circuit.
Rakiura Track, Stewart Island, Southland
Guide - Te Araroa Guide
Te Araroa is an independent trail, you will not be guided.
Guided Tour - Te Araroa Guided Tour
Te Araroa is an independent trail, you will not be guided.
Guns - Te Araroa Guns
We don’t carry guns nor need guns for protection in New Zealand.
Hunters operate throughout New Zealand’s bush hunting ferrel goats, pigs and deer. If you’re on an established track, you’re less likely to be mistaken for an animal and shot at. Wearing bright clothes also helps hunters to identify you from a distance. The reality is, animals are unlikely to be hanging around a busy track so you’re not likely to run into someone "hunting" though they may be walking to a permitted DOC hunting area and carrying their firearm.
Hunters may carry a firearm on a DOC track so long as;
No firearm will be discharged:
In the vicinity of huts, tracks, campsites, road-ends or other public places
Within 500 metres of a Great Walk Hut or track
In a manner that endangers, frightens or annoys members of the public, or that endangers any property.
Your own gun: If you’re planning to hunt, there’s more opportunity in the South Island than in the North Island. As there’s no legal ability to routinely carry a firearm in New Zealand, you’ll have to make arrangements to transport your gun from place to place, say when you’re walking through towns and on roads. It’s really not practical.
Other peoples guns: We met only one hunter on the entire trail and ended up sharing Stody’s hut with him and were pleased to see he’d bagged a feral deer.
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Hard - How Hard is Te Araroa
The most challenging sections of Te Araroa are the Tararua Ranges in the Wellington Region, Richmond Ranges in Marlborough and Waiau Pass, Nelson Lakes. All involve mountains, rivers and many days between resupply. Because of this, you will be carrying more food than in other sections adding to your weight.
Tararua Ranges have challenging, narrow, muddy trails and notoriously bad weather exposing you to alpine conditions and steep inclines and declines.
Richmond Ranges has very challenging terrain, including extreme alpine weather, many unbridged river crossings and steep drop-offs. Even in summer there can be snow, freezing temperatures and flooded rivers.
Waiau Pass again has challenging terrain, fast changing and extreme alpine weather, many unbridged river crossings and steep drop-offs particularly on the day of crossing Waiau Pass. Even in summer there can be snow, freezing temperatures and flooded rivers.
Hiking Poles - Best Hiking Poles for Te Araroa
I have written a comprehensive article on all the gear that you’ll require to walk Te Araroa.
Te Araroa Essential Gear List Essentials.
Watch the video that I made prior to starting: What I’m taking to walk 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand
Hitch Hiking - Hitch Hiking Te Araroa
Te Araroa has many road sections, some of them quiet country roads, others, alongside or literally on busy highways. Many people choose to skip the road sections, either by bus, or hitching.
It is easy to hitch hike in New Zealand, particularly if it’s obvious you’re a backpacker. There may also be times, off trail that you want to get to a nearby town for supplies or replacement gear and again, hitching is often the simplest solution as our intercity public transport may not be available to you at the time you want to go. Choose your rides carefully and ideally and hitch with another Te Araroa hiker.
Highest Point - Highest Point on Te Araroa
High points and highlights include the 1,731 metre high Mount Rintoul in the Richmond Range, the 1,870 metre Waiau Pass in Nelson Lakes, 1,886 metres on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and all the way up to the highest as you cross over Canterbury’s Stag Saddle, a lofty 1,925 metres above sea level.
Sharon Evans, Stag Saddle, Te Araroa
Highlights - Te Araroa Highlights
I’ve written above about the best sections for each region that Te Araroa traverses.
Some of our personal highlights were;
1,000km on the Timber Trail - Day 44
1,500km in the Tararua Ranges - Day 61
2,000km as we crossed Travers Saddle - Day 88
3,000km as we headed to Bluff - Day 133
Nothing beats the excitement of starting a challenge of this scale nor the sense of achievement at successfully completing Te Araroa
Hiker Lingo - Te Araroa Hiker Lingo
Have you ever joined a new group and wondered if they were speaking a different language, some of it sounds sort of familiar but there seems to be acronyms and words used in context that are nothing like you’ve heard before? As a group, hiker’s are no different and in this video, I’ve explained what SOBO, NOBO and even HOBO stand for when used in a hiking context along with a whole lot of other hiker lingo.
SOBO: South Bound. Hiking from North to South
NOBO: Northbound. Hiking from South to North
HOBO: how you’ll look after a couple of weeks on the trail
Flip-flop: walking the trail in a non-continuous line, usually with the intention of completing the entire trail and perhaps brought about due to weather events such as flooded rivers.
Bounce box: a resupply box that has sometimes-used necessities and can be repeatedly mailed ahead of you on the trail
Cat Hole: a small hole dug in the ground for human waste
FKT: Fastest Known Time – the fastest “official” time that anyone has completed a trail
Hiker Hunger: a continuous, deep hunger that allows you to eat amazing amounts of food in town. This usually happens after a few weeks of hiking as a result of low body fat.
Hiker Midnight: Usually right when it gets dark. The time when most hikers go to sleep.
Hiker Trash: This is a nuanced term. But once you become hiker trash you will know it and you will be proud.
LNT: Leave No Trace is a set of outdoor ethics promoting conservation in the outdoors
Register: a log book found along the trail typically in huts that hikers sign into, and can be used for communication with other hikers
Resupply: refilling food supply once you have run out of food on the trail; can be done from a grocery store, convenience store, or a package mailed to you
Section Hike: hiking sections of a long trail as and when you’ve time
Thru-Hike: hiking an entire long trail in one season
Trail Angel: a person who treats hikers nicely and offers food, drinks, or other helpful resources to them while they hike and with no expectation of reciprocity.
Trail family / Tramily : the people that you meet on the trail and hike with. A trail family can change during a hike.
Trail Magic: unexpected food or help on the trail from someone
Trail Name: a name given to you on trail by your trail family. Sharon - Star. Andrew - Roast as chosen by Nick
Zero: hiking zero miles in a day, usually when you go into town and stay 2 nights
History - Te Araroa History
Officially opened on 3 December, 2011, Te Araroa is a mixture of previously made tracks and walkways, new tracks and link sections alongside roads.
The idea of a national walkway goes back to the 1970;s, when it was first advocated for by the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand. In 1975 the New Zealand Walkways Commission was established, but in 15 years made little progress.
In 1994, journalist Geoff Chapple advocated for a New Zealand long walking track and founded Te Araroa Trust. Advocacy and negotiations for access continued and by 2006, plans for the trail began being part of local government plans. The Government allocated $3.8 million of development of new sections of the trail on conservation land in 2007.
Read Geoff Chapple’s book; A Walking Guide to New Zealand's Long Trail Te Araroa.
Click on the image below to see more.
How long - How Long to Walk Te Araroa
The FKT or fastest known time to complete Te Araroa is held by George Henderson who did it in a speedy 49 days 14 hours and 27 minutes during the 2019/2020 season.
Check out this page to see other (supported, self-supported, male, female, mixed-gender team) FKT’s on Te Araroa
For the rest of us mere mortals, assuming you walk 3,000 kilometres, it’ll take between three and six months.
Averaging:
90 Days - 33km per day
120 Days - 25km per day
150 Days - 20km per day
180 Days - 17km per day
Hut Pass - Te Araroa Hut pass
New for 2024/2025 Season The Trail Pass has been developed through a partnership between Te Araroa and the Department of Conservation. The Trail Pass offers easy access and discounted rates on conservation land huts and campsites across the trail network and throughout New Zealand.
Hypothermia - Te Araroa Hypothermia
New Zealand is a group of islands and the weather conditions can change extremely rapidly. Hypothermia can be brought on by the cold as your core body temperature drops to a level where normal brain and muscle function are impaired. Prolonged exposure to the weather and water are significant risk factors even in summer. When we walked Te Araroa, we had snow three times in January but it’s not just snow, endless days of cold rain where your clothing is soaked through are also risk factors.
Symptoms include the appearance of drunkenness such as stumbling, arguing, confusion and slurring your words. It may be difficult to identify these symptoms in yourself soapy attention if someone is suggesting you’ve been impacted by the cold. The Alpine Club say to watch out for the "umbles" as in stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles
To stop hypothermia progressing though further heat loss, get out of the weather, into a hut, a tent or emergency shelter and put on all your warm clothes. If mild hypothermia, eat and drink warm food.
Sharon Evans, Tongariro Crossing, Whanganui-Manawatu, Te Araroa
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Information - Te Araroa Information
Look no further, you’re in the right place
Itinerary - Te Araroa Itinerary
The trail notes are your guide for walking Te Araroa. They provide detailed information to help you plan your walk, section by section. Available online and with the trail notes app. It’s recommended you use the app as they’re updated regularly.
Interactive Map - Te Araroa Interactive Map
I have created Te Araroa maps which account for our journey from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
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Jacket - Best Jacket for Te Araroa
I have written a comprehensive article on all the gear that you’ll require to walk Te Araroa.
Te Araroa Essential Gear List Essentials.
Watch the video that I made prior to starting: What I’m taking to walk 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand
Journey - Te Araroa and The Whanganui Journey
Te Araroa has two options for travel between Whakahoro and Whanganui.
Walking: From Whakahoro, follow the Kaiwhakauka and Mangapurua Tracks to the Mangapurua Landing. Jet boat from there to Pipiriki and then walk the River Road.
Canoe/Kayak: Canoe from Whakahoro to Whanganui or alternatively, from Taumarunui which means skipping the 42nd Traverse and Tongariro Crossing. Note that the Whanganui Journey is a "Great Walk" and will require booking huts and camps ahead of commencing your trip.
You may choose to leave the canoe at Pipiriki and walk from there as the last couple of days on the river can be hard work particularly if paddling into a head wind and incoming tide.
Whanganui Journey, Manawatu-Whanganui.
Arrange resupply and canoe hire while in Taumarunui.
Refer #Resupply - Te Araroa Resupply Boxes
Refer #Canoe - Te Araroa Canoe
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Kids - Te Araroa Kids
Kilometres and Miles - Te Araroa Kilometres and Te Araroa Miles
The distance can vary from year to year, Te Araroa is generally described at 3,000 kilometres or 1,864 miles
Kit List - Te Araroa Kit List
I have written a comprehensive article on all the gear that you’ll require to walk Te Araroa.
Te Araroa Essential Gear List Essentials.
Watch the video that I made prior to starting: What I’m taking to walk 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand
Kiwi - Te Araroa Kiwi
There’s three types of Kiwi to look out for while in New Zealand, the Kiwi bird, Kiwifruit and Kiwis which is a common nickname for New Zealanders as in the "Freewheeling Kiwi".
Aside from us human Kiwis the only Kiwi you are likely to see while hiking Te Araroa are Kiwifruit at the supermarket.
To increase your chance of seeing a Kiwi bird in the wild, you may like to add a side quest and head over to Rakiura Stewart Island after finishing Te Araroa at Bluff. They are known to wander the trails even at times during the day!
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Laundry - Te Araroa Laundry
Most hostels, holiday parks and motels will have laundry facilities however you’ll need to become accustomed to going a long time between laundromat visits, especially in the South Island. Note that you can’t use soap in any streams, lakes or rivers. This includes laundry soap as well as bathroom soap, shampoo and conditioners.
Leave No Trace - Leave No Trace on Te Araroa
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a set of outdoor ethics or principles promoting conservation in the outdoors. Often used in relation to disposing of waste properly (rubbish and human waste) the seven principles encompass the following:
Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimise campfire impacts
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of others
Length - What is the Length of Te Araroa
The distance can vary from year to year, Te Araroa is generally described at 3,000 kilometres or 1,864 miles
Location - Te Araroa Location
From the comments and questions I received while on trail and vlogging daily , it was apparent that many people didn’t know where or even what Te Araroa is. If you Google Te Araroa, you’ll find a town by that name on the most easterly cape of New Zealand, fast fact, Te Araroa goes nowhere near Te Araroa town.
Refer #Interactive Map - Te Araroa Interactive Map
I have created Te Araroa maps which account for our journey from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
Long - How Long is Te Araroa
The distance can vary from year to year, Te Araroa is generally described at 3,000 kilometres or 1,864 miles
Long Drop - Te Araroa Long Drop
Are you in for a treat! The long drop or longdrop toilets on Te Araroa are legendary. Most backcountry DOC huts and campsites feature long drop toilets which are a basic toilet that don’t require water to flush. Contained in a small "outhouse" it’s fundamentally a toilet seat perched above a hole. In some areas such as Tongariro, the waste is contained and then flown out by helicopter. The poo is flown out as it takes years for it to decompose in an alpine area. Think on that as you duck behind a rock in the mountains. More often than not, it’ll just be an earth hole.
Surprisingly, we came across one flush toilet miles from anywhere and at Rocks Hut on the Pelorus Track. DOC have written a blog on what to do when caught out between loos
Lord of the Rings - Te Araroa and Lord of the Rings
If you’re going to fly half way around the world, you may as well make the most of it and visit some of the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) locations.
The Trail goes past or close to the following:
Tongariro Crossing - Mount Doom / Mount Ngauruhoe 1,139km
Pelorous River / Track - The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit. 1,850km onwards
Mt Potts Stations and the Clearwater Track. Mount Sunday was home briefly to Edoras capital of Rohan and seat of King Theoden. 2,355km
Twizel and nearby Braemar Station - the backdrop for the orc chase in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 2,485km
Kawarau Gorge - the location of the River Andean and the Argonauts Statues from The Fellowship of the Ring. 2709km
The Remarkables near Frankton, Queenstown The Two Towers
12 Mile Delta - you’ll shuttle past it between Queenstown and Glenorchy/Greenstone Track . It’s here that Gollum catches rabbits. Trailhead. The Two Towers. 11km on the shuttle route.
North Mavora Lakes The Fellowship of the Ring. 2762km
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Maps and Apps - Te Araroa Maps and Apps
The official Te Araroa Maps
Apps
Te Araroa - Trail App for updated maps.
We also used FarOut formerly GutHook which allows people to add their own comments and observations. This was great for getting up to the minute information.
NZ TOPO 50 - North Island
NZ TOPO 50 - South Island
Digital Maps
Digital maps are interactive, just think of Google Maps and the additional information they provide you with like time to your destination, satellite or terrain views, landmarks and photos. Useful for the road sections.
maps.me is a free mobile App. It provides offline maps for Android and iOS devices, is accurate and up to date and has a navigation feature that shows you the altitude profile.
Google Earth is great fun to use ahead of being on the trail as it gives you an appreciation of the terrain. The Google Earth App is also a valuable tool on trail.
Digital maps and Apps need a SmartPhone which needs power so you’ll need a power bank.
Paper Maps You can print all the Te Araroa paper maps and then send them on to yourself or print them as you go at resupply points.
Maori - Te Araroa Maori
Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand.
Marae - Te Araroa Marae
A marae is a Maori meeting ground and focal point for Maori communities throughout the country.
Meal Plan - Te Araroa Meals
Andrew Gash, Te Matawai Hut, Tararua, Te Araroa
Meaning - What Does Te Araroa Mean
Te Araroa means "The Long Path"
Te = The
Ara = Path
Roa = Long
If you say you’re walking the Te Araroa trail, you’re effectively saying you’re walking the the long path trail.
Although incorrect, at times I have written Te Araroa Trail to differentiate between Te Araroa the trail and Te Araroa the town.
Mice - Te Araroa Mice
There’s numerous mice and some are even so bold as to move into the huts. You won’t often see them but at night, you may hear them scurrying about in the huts in search of snacks. They are very determined, hang your food bag from a wire off a rafter or from a nail or hook.
You may find mice traps in the huts, if concerned, set the mouse trap before going to bed. It’s been suggested amongst social media that if each Te Araroa walker took a mouse trap with them and used it, it’d would make a noticeable difference.
Mice are not native to New Zealand and each one eliminated is a step in the right direction for New Zealand’s goal for a "Predator Free New Zealand".
Miles - How many Miles is Te Araroa?
Mobile Phone - Can You Use A Mobile Phone on Te Araroa
Often, no. For much of the trail, you’ll have no mobile phone coverage. This is one of many reasons its recommended that you take a personal locator beacon and satellite communicator.
Watch this video here to see how to keep your electronics charged while hiking.
Money - Money on Te Araroa
Currency: New Zealand Dollar NZD $
In towns: businesses will have EFTPOS facilities. Very occasionally you may find a business that no longer accepts cash.
On trail: cash can be useful if you’ve an unexpected night at a serviced hut and need to pay for a bunk.
Other: some Trail Angels insist on cash for accommodation payment. Once onsite, it may also be the only way practical to pay for your accommodation given the lack of mobile phone coverage in isolated areas.
Mud - Te Araroa Trail Mud
Every forest trail has varying degrees of mud though Northland (Ratea Forest) and Southland (Longwood) stand out in many peoples memories as having particularly good mud wallows. New Zealand forests are incredibly verdant and even in summer, very little sunlight and warmth reaches the trail floor.
Embrace the mud as it’s a way of life on trail. The good news is, you’ll have multiple unbridged streams and rivers to cross so plenty of time to get those feet clean again.
Julius Schafer and Niklas Hoormann, Longwoods Forest, Southland, Te Araroa
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National Parks - Te Araroa and National Parks
New Zealand’s National Parks contain some of our most treasured wilderness areas.
While on Te Araroa, you will cross through the following National Parks:
Tongariro National Park, Manawatu-Whanganui
Whanganui National Park, Manawatu-Whanganui
Nelson Lakes National Park, Tasman
Arthur’s Pass National Park, Canterbury
National Trail - Te Araroa, New Zealand’s Longest Trail
Te Araroa, New Zealand’s National Trail.
Navigation - How to Navigate Te Araroa
I’ve a whole video on just this topic How I Navigate On A Thru-hike | Te Araroa | New Zealand
North to South SOBO - Te Araroa SOBO
North Bound versus South Bound - Te Araroa
There’s much debate between NOBO and SOBO hikers as to whether to start at the top and walk downhill or start at the bottom and walk uphill 😉. A couple of considerations:
If starting from Bluff, you’ll need to start a month later than if starting from Cape Reinga due to the lambing season.
Whanganui River flows in a southbound direction, if you are NOBO, you’ll need to flipflop this section.
The Timber Trail can be ridden in either direction however the gradient is best done from north to south so you might like to flipflop this section.
O
Official Website - Te Araroa Official Website
Te Araroa Trust Official Website
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Packing List - Te Araroa Packing List
I have written a comprehensive article on all the gear that you’ll require to walk Te Araroa.
Te Araroa Essential Gear List Essentials.
Watch the video that I made prior to starting: What I’m taking to walk 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand
Passport - Te Araroa Passport
National Passport - If you’re not from New Zealand, you will need a passport and if you’re entering the country for more than three months and you’re not a New Zealand resident or citizen, you’ll need a visitor visa to enter. Immigration New Zealand can help with this.
Trail Passport - Unlike some international hikes, Te Araroa does not have a trail passport.
Permit - Te Araroa Permit
Trail Pass - This is new for 2024/2025 Season
Back Country Hut Pass - Hikers who are walking the full length of Te Araroa will find the Trail Pass most cost effective when compared with the annual Back Country Hut Pass.
Queen Charlotte Sound Permit Te Araroa uses the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds. This track crosses Department of Conservation Land (DOC), private land and regional council maintained land.
The Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative (QCTLC) Pass is required for all private land between Kenepuru Saddle, Korea Saddle, Te Mania Saddle and Anakiwa. Basically, if you’re walking the Queen Charlotte Track, you need this pass which can be purchased from QCTLC website as well as the Picton, Blenheim and Havelock isites, DOC Wellington and the Picton waterfront.
Personal Locator Beacon - Te Araroa Personal Location Beacon (PLB)
Essential equipment.
Your personal locator beacon informs emergency rescue who you are, your location, and that you need immediate help via satellite messages. When it’s activated, it automatically sends a distress signal to a worldwide search and rescue (SAR) network.
If you don’t have your own, you can hire one.
Podcast - Te Araroa Podcast
Looking for inspiration before starting your journey or reminders of life on the trail. Dive into these podcasts:
Morning Report - A Snippet from my own Interview
Planning and Preparation - Te Araroa Planning and Preparation
Ideally your preparation for your Te Araroa journey will begin at least three months before your adventure however we did meet people who’d decided only a couple of weeks prior to starting that they’d walk the walk and they did so successfully.
Your planning and preparation for Te Araroa will need to cover the following aspects:
the entire itinerary - from the time you leave home, the trail itinerary, your side quests and then returning home
budgeting - with such a complicated trail, where to even start !
dates - when are you starting, when are you finishing? is this the best season?
gear - what do you need, are you an ultra light hiker or do you like a few creature comforts?
food strategy and drop offs - where, when and how much are you going to need? Pro Tip: Whittaker’s Chocolate is a must!
other transport - there’s a surprising number of other transport required such as ferries, canoes, bikes, water taxis, shuttles and possibly even airplanes
accommodation - are you camping, using DOC huts, private huts, hunters huts, trail angels, motels, cabins, friends or what?
permits - you’ll often be hiking across private land, have you thought about the necessary permission?
safety - are you travelling on your own? Have you considered how you’ll manage the river crossings?
training and fitness - are you going to chance your luck and train on the job essentially walking into your fitness or will you get used to carrying your heavy pack ahead of time so as to prevent injury?
Reading this comprehensive Te Araroa A to Z Guide will give you answers to many of those questions plus you can save yourself a lot of time and Ask Me Anything to clarify further details.
Pronunciation - How do you say Te Araroa
Michelle Campbell has a great video with not only the pronunciation of Te Araroa but also some of the other town names that you’ll come across such as Ngaruawahia and Taumarunui. Additionally, Michelle explains why you’ll use the "f" sound at the start of Whangarei and most other towns that start with Wha but for Whanganui, you’ll use the "wa" sound. Complicated? Just watch Michelle’s video and it’ll all become clear.
Q
Queen Charlotte Track
Stunning Track in Marlborough Sounds, this is your introduction to hiking in the South Island. Can also be ridden by bike.
Refer #Permit - Te Araroa Permit
Andrew Gash, Marlborough Sounds, Te Araroa
Quotes
Some of my favourite quotes
“Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before” – Dalai Lama
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step” – Lao Tzu
“Adventure is worthwhile” – Aesop
"We have two lives, and the second begins when we realise we only have one" -Confucius
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Record - Te Araroa Record
Registration - Te Araroa Registration
Register for Te Araroa with Te Araroa Trust.
Register in the Hut Books
Each DOC Hut has a green registration book for you to record your name, hut pass number, trip intentions and any trail or hut observations.
In an emergency, such as when your parents report you as missing, the hut registration book will be checked by LandSAR in an effort to find you. Even if you’ve not paid the Hut Fee, leave clues and fill in your intentions, it may well save your life or alternatively, save LandSAR time and effort in your recovery.
On a lighter note, it gives your trail mates some clues as to how far ahead you are and the likelihood of them being able to catch you up before the next town.
Resupply - Te Araroa Resupply Boxes
There are some sections of Te Araroa particularly in the South Island that are a very long way between towns and large grocery stores. The list below assumes you are able to carry seven days food and therefore only includes the sections which have more challenging resupply locations.
We felt it necessary to send resupply boxes to Havelock, St Arnaud, Boyle Village and Arthurs Pass.
North Island Te Araroa Resupply
On Trail
After leaving Dinsdale (781km) in Hamilton, your next town with one of the two major supermarket brands (Woolworths or New World) is Te Kuiti (890km).
Waitomo (875km) has a cafe with limited groceries.
At Taumarunui (1,052km) resupply for the 42nd Traverse and Tongariro Crossing Section as well as your Whanganui River Journey. Leave your river supply box with the company that you are hiring your canoe from. If you are not canoeing and are instead walking the Whakahoro to Whanganui section, make arrangements with the Canoe hire company so that you can collect your supply off them at Whakahoro. While in Taumarunui call in and see Rhys at Trunk Coffee House, tell him Sharon from Freewheeling Kiwi sent you.
Off Trail
Detour into Levin from the Gladstone Road/Poads Road (1,561km) junction before continuing the next stage of the Tararua Ranges.
South Island Te Araroa Resupply
Assuming you are not leaving the trail and after resupplying in Picton, you will not find either of the two major supermarket brands (Woolworths and New World), until more than 900 kilometres later when you reach Wanaka (2,627km).
On Trail
There’s a Four Square at Havelock (1,816km) with good supplies.
Pelorous Bridge Campground (1,838km) may have snacks (ice creams/chocolate/chips)
St Arnaud (1,978km) has a combined service station/cafe/with very limited groceries. The DOC Centre in St Arnaud may have some dehydrated food for sale.
There’s a Four Square at Tekapo (2,430) with good supplies
Off Trail
If you’re prepared to detour off trail, Hamner Springs or Westport can be reached from Boyle Village (2,097km) near the Lewis Pass.
Arthur’s Pass can be reached from near Greyness Shelter and Campsite (2213 km) though has only limited supplies. Alternatively, hitch to Christchurch or one of the closer country towns.
Methven is a logical detour and overnight stop when shuttling the sixty kilometres around the Rakaia River between Lake Coleridge (2,286km) and the Glenrock Track Trailhead (2,287km).
Between leaving the Movora Lakes and heading into Princhester (2,817km), hitch in to Te Anau for supplies.
At Birchwood (2,889km), head to Nightcaps for basic supplies.
Richmond Range - Te Araroa Richmond Range
Stunning yet challenging mountainous section between Pelorous Bridge and St Arnaud, Marlborough.
Refer #Elevation - Te Araroa Elevation Gain
Refer #Highest Point - Highest Point on Te Araroa
Refer #Hard - How Hard is Te Araroa
Andrew Gash, Sharon Evans, Richmond Range, Marlborough, Te Araroa
Route - Te Araroa Route
River Crossings - Te Araroa River Crossings
River levels rise extremely rapidly, you can literally sit on the bank and watch them rise before you.
When we were approaching the Whanganui River Journey which we’d planned to canoe, we received news that the Whanganui River was flooded and closed to canoes. We were still two days walk away however due to the lack of mobile cover ahead, we had to make a decision then as to whether we would risk the river levels having dropped enough for it to be safe, or instead, that we would walk the alternate route. We chose to take the advise of the professionals and walked.
When we were at the Blue Lake hut, Lake Constance on the way to the Waiau Pass was flooded. We sat it out for two nights then us and a dozen other Te Araroa hikers turned back and returned to St Arnaud. While we could have waited longer, on the other side of Waiau Pass is yet another river valley which we knew would be very difficult to traverse as there were multiple unbridged river crossings.
Rivers in flood are a constant when hiking in the New Zealand backcountry even on a seemingly beautiful day. In Canterbury, the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers have been declared hazard zones and are expressly excluded from the trail.
When standing on the river bank, these braided rivers may appear benign but it’s critical to be aware that the watershed for these rivers is actually out of sight over on the West Coast. The Rangitata River has a mind boggling catchment area of 1,773 square kilometres and would take three hours to cross on foot. A lot can and does happen in three hours potentially leaving the unwary trapped between braids (if they’re lucky). Don’t do it, take the shuttle.
Rubbish - Te Araroa Rubbish
Run - Run Te Araroa
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Safe - Is Te Araroa Safe
Refer #Animals - Are there dangerous animals on Te Araroa
Search and Rescue - Te Araroa Search and Rescue
No one plans to get lost, delayed, caught in a flooded river, or to fall, slip and trip but every year, hundreds of people throughout New Zealand find themselves needing the support of Land Search and Rescue. This voluntary organisation operates in suburban, urban, wilderness and rural areas including regional and forest parks, shorelines and caves.
Their unpaid professionals offer their specialist search and rescue skills free to the public 24/7 via the New Zealand Police and the Rescue Coordination Centre. When you hit the SOS on your Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), this is who will be coming to find you.
What do you mean you don’t have a PLB?!
Season - Te Araroa Season
Refer #Start Date - What is the Best Start Date For Te Araroa
Sections - Te Araroa Sections
North Island
“The Far North is a remote region with long, lonely stretches of sand, forests of dense bush, steep hills and fast-rising rivers"
"New Zealand’s supercity is a far-reaching district of contrasts"
"History is around every bend in the majestic Waikato River"
"This section of Te Araroa travels from the mountains to the sea"
"New Zealand’s political centre"
South Island
"This section is all about sheltered coastlines of sparkling clear water, dolphins and secluded coves"
"Some of the most challenging tramping on Te Araroa"
"All about the mighty Southern Alps"
"Te Araroa in Otago passes mountains, forests, lakes and gold mining history"
"From its rocky southern coast to the Takitimu mountains, this region has it all"
Section Hike - Te Araroa Section Hike
Hiking sections of Te Araroa as and when you’ve time as opposed to hiking the entire trail in one season.
Shoes - Best Shoes for Te Araroa
Shops - Te Araroa Shops
Assuming you’re not looking for Te Araroa town on the East Cape.
Shuttle - Te Araroa Shuttle
Aside from getting to and from the main north and south trail heads, there are several occasions where you’ll need a shuttle. If you share the shuttle with other trail walkers, you’ll be able to spread the cost between you.
Canterbury - the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers are hazardous zones and do not form part of the trail. You’ll need a shuttle around both these rivers.
Otago - Queenstown to Greenstone Track Trail Head - the road from Queenstown to Glenorchy and beyond is not part of the track, again, you’ll need a shuttle.
Approximate location of shuttle detours
Rakaia River Detour - Lake Coleridge (2,286km) and the Glenrock Track Trailhead (2,287km). Shuttle Distance: 60km
Rangitata River Detour - Lake Clearwater (2,335km) and Bush Stream Track Trailhead, Mesopotamia (2,336km). Shuttle Distance: 136km
Queenstown Greenstone Track Detour - Queenstown (2,721km) and Greenstone Station (2,722km). Shuttle Distance 80km
Alternatively, if you are attempting to EFI, you could walk these sections or you could even try to hitch hike. What you won’t do, is ignore the warnings and attempt to walk the rivers.
Wayne, Alps2Ocean Shuttle, Sharon Evans, Rangitata Detour, Canterbury, Te Araroa
Social Media - Te Araroa on Social Media
Official Page Te Araroa on Facebook
Official Community Te Araroa on Facebook
Official Te Araroa on Instagram
Song - Te Araroa Song
Thank you to Levi and Ollie for their fun song and video
South to North NOBO - Te Araroa NOBO
Sleeping Bag - Best Sleeping Bag for Te Araroa
I have written a comprehensive article on all the gear that you’ll require to walk Te Araroa.
Te Araroa Essential Gear List Essentials.
Watch the video that I made prior to starting: What I’m taking to walk 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand
Start - Where Does Te Araroa Start
Start Date - What is the Best Start Date For Te Araroa
Success Rate - Te Araroa Success Rate
As Te Araroa walkers don’t have to have a permit, Te Araroa Trust is reliant on voluntary registration numbers to estimate how many walk the trail. While this may give an indication of intentions, it doesn’t provide data as to how many were successful in their endeavour to walk Te Araroa.
Here’s my top twenty tips on how you can improve your chances of success:
Training prior to your trip
Having sufficient money
Having things sorted at home
Remaining present
Have realistic expectations
Enjoying the little things
Be comfortable with boredom, loneliness, physical discomfort and dodgy weather
Have achievable goals
Be prepared for every eventuality
Keeping your pack weight low
Stay adaptable
Allowing enough time
Avoiding injury
Choosing the right gear
Dress accordingly
Walking within your ability
Taking rest days
Eating properly
Remaining hydrated
Staying safe
Swing Bridge - Te Araroa Swing Bridge
Swing bridge or suspension bridge, this is your ticket to crossing a river with dry feet. There’s untold swing bridges on Te Araroa and even the odd three wire bridge. On topographic maps, wire bridges may be called a "walk wire".
T
Te Araroa Town
If you Google Te Araroa, you’ll find a town by that name on the most easterly cape of New Zealand, fast fact, Te Araroa as in the trail, goes nowhere near Te Araroa town.
Te Araroa Visa
Temperature - Te Araroa Temperature
The temperatures in New Zealand are recorded in celsius. I provide some weather considerations over in my Essential Gear article
Tent - Best Tent for Te Araroa
Even if you plan to use every hut on the trail, you will still need to take a tent as it is not guaranteed that you will have a bunk in the hut. It’s also best practice to always have a tent for emergencies, whether small inconveniences as in not reaching the hut or more serious ones such as being lost or injured.
I have written a comprehensive article on all the gear including tents that you’ll require to walk Te Araroa.
Te Araroa Essential Gear List Essentials.
Watch the video that I made prior to starting: What I’m taking to walk 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand
Sharon Evans, Telford Campsite, Southland, Te Araroa
Tide Times - Te Araroa Tide Times
While in Northland, Manawatu-Whanganui and Southland the trail follows beaches and particularly in Northland, there’s a number of tidal estuary crossings to navigate. If you time it right, you should be able to fairly easily proceed through the estuary. If you time it wrong, you may be sitting for several hours waiting for the water to drop.
It’s considerably easier to walk on beaches at low tide as you’ll be on the compacted sand as opposed to the soft sand. Check the tide times on the NIWA Tide Forecaster and plan accordingly. With 90 Mile Beach taking several days, at some stage you’re likely to walk on soft sand or, climbing up onto the sand dunes and waiting for the water to recede. We were never held up by the tide but it’s important to note that the high tide and low tide height changes over the season so what may be okay one week, may not be okay the following week. When you check in with the NIWA Tide Forecaster as well as looking at the times, have a look also at the tide height. Storm action and rough seas can change a beach, when we walked 90 Mile Beach, there were huge sand dunes with sheer bluffs, there was no way we could have scaled the bluffs and we kept a close eye on the tide levels in relation to how far to the next scalable dune.
Tips - Tips for Walking Te Araroa
We don’t tip (money) in New Zealand.
Best tip - read the Freewheeling Kiwi Te Araroa A to Z Guide end to end!
Toilet - Toilet on Te Araroa
You’ll find public toilets in towns, shopping or sports centres and in many parks and reserves. FarOut lists toilets and other amenities.
Trail Angel - Te Araroa Trail Angel
Trail Head - Te Araroa Trail Head
Trail Maintenance - Te Araroa Trail Maintenance
Te Araroa Trust is a registered charity with the majority of its income from donations used to care for and enhance the trail. There’s opportunities for volunteers to help with trail maintenance, clearing paths, repairing structures and ensuring safety for all trail users.
Trail Name - Te Araroa Trail Name
The tradition of providing your fellow walkers with a trail name is not common in New Zealand however Andrew and I were both given one when walking Te Araroa. Andrew is called "Roast" and Sharon is called "Star". It’s a long story and if you see me on the trails, you can ask me about it then.
If you do have a trail name, don’t use it in the hut register unless as an addition to your real name or the Search and Rescue Team will not have a clue who or where you are.
Trail Notes - Te Araroa Trail Notes
The trail notes are your guide for walking Te Araroa. They provide detailed information to help you plan your walk, section by section. Available online and with the trail notes app. It’s recommended you use the app as they’re updated regularly
Trail Pass - Te Araroa Trail Pass
Trail Pass - This is new for 2024/2025 Season
Trail Runners - Best Trail Runners for Te Araroa
The trail surface when hiking Te Araroa includes sand, gravel, rubble, grass, packed earth, soil, rocks, moraine, pavement, pugged farmland, road, marsh, swamp, mud, river, timber and roots. I think that covers it.
Depending on the weather, you may experience everything from heat, rain, ice and snow and there are recommendations that you have waterproof footwear however I see little point as you’ll be in and out of rivers constantly which will be deeper that the top of your shoes or boots.
Compared to walking shoes or trail runners, boots offer greater ankle support at the cost of being much heavier and more so, if they’re wet. My preference is for trail runners due to their lightness. When hiking the trail, most other hikers were wearing trail runners.
Whatever you choose, the most important feature of your footwear is that you’ve thoroughly broken them in by hiking on trails with your weighted backpack before beginning your Te Araroa journey.
Sharon Evans, Andrew Gash, Merrell, Queenstown
Training - Training Plan for Te Araroa
Tramp - Te Araroa Tramp
In New Zealand we often refer to hiking as tramping, as in "I’m going for a tramp".
Apparently the word Tramp comes from the German trampen, for "stamp". If you walk heavily, people will say you tramp, but if you’re going on a tramp, that means you’re going for a long walk, hike or trek.
If someone calls you a tramp, they mean you’re a vagrant or wanderer and the low-life behaviours associated with vagrants.
Te Araroa hikers who camp in the bush outside a "Holiday Park" then sneak in to use the Holiday Park’s facilities would be representative of a low-life. Unfortunately this has happened in the past.
Transfers - Te Araroa Transfers
Te Araroa is not a continuous trail in that you can’t start at one end and continue on an actual trail for 3,000 kilometres. There’s a number of instances where you’ll need to sort out your transfers and the main one’s being:
Ferry - Crossing Cook Strait between the north and south islands.
Shuttle - To Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Rakaia and Rangitata River Zones, Queenstown to Greenstone Trail
Water Taxi - Picton to Ship Cove, Queen Charlotte Track
Refer #Getting to the start of Te Araroa
Refer #River Crossings - Te Araroa River Crossings
Refer #EFI - Te Araroa EFI
Travel Insurance - Te Araroa Travel Insurance
It’s recommended that you have adventure travel insurance that covers your activities plus insurance for your gear.
Refer #ACC - Accident Compensation Corporation
I receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. I do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
U
Ultra Light - Te Araroa Ultra Light Gear List
While not an ultra light backpacker, you may find my gear list useful as it includes the essentials for the trail.
Updates - Te Araroa Updates
While on trail stay up to date with any changes to the trail.
Refer #Alerts - Te Araroa Alerts
Unsupported - Te Araroa Unsupported
To complete the trail unsupported or self-supported means to use only publicly available services and not be supported in-person by acquaintances at any point along the route.
On the other hand, someone that is supported, will have someone traveling with them (by road), often in a camper van or motorhome and the support person will be responsible for sorting out all the logistics such as food, drink, a bed and logistical timetables. On some sections, the "hiker" will be able to continue with a daypack, meeting the support person each night. Other times, the hiker will need to carry a full load when going through the longer sections.
Fastest known time (FKT) are categorised as either supported or unsupported.
Unguided - Te Araroa Unguided
Te Araroa is an independent trail, you will not be guided.
V
Vlog - Te Araroa Daily Vlogs
While on trail, I filmed, edited, produced and shared a daily vlog. Watch all 133 Days here
Visa - Te Araroa Visa
W
Walk Te Araroa
When filming my 133 day vlog or Te Araroa, I opened each video with (for example), "Day 1, walking 3,000 kilometres on Te Araroa".
For me, this was the simplest way to cover the walking, riding, wading, canoeing, tramping, hiking, trekking, climbing, slipping and sliding that makes up this epic "walk". Then of course, there’s the hitching, ferrying, shuttling, water taxiing and busing!
Walking Track - Te Araroa Walking Track
Although referred to as a continuous 3,000 kilometre walking track from Cape Reinga to Bluff, it’s not one track. In fact, I don’t even know how many tracks are involved, but there’s plenty
Check out my interactive maps which account for our twenty weeks on the trail.
Water - Te Araroa Water
While walking Te Araroa, you’ll often be reliant on unfiltered rain water or water direct from a natural source such as a stream. It’s recommended that you carry your own filter system.
Sharon Evans, Andrew Gash, Motatapu Track, Otago, Te Araroa
Waterproofs - Te Araroa Waterproofs
You’ll spend many days wet when walking Te Araroa either from the rain (yes, it rains here) or from stream, river and estuary crossings. I wouldn’t bother with getting waterproof footwear, the river will be way deeper.
Do get the best waterproofs that you can though the reality is, when you’re hiking all day in the rain carrying a heavy pack, nothing will stay waterproof the whole day. The rain will eventually soak through or your perspiration will soak out.
I have written a comprehensive article on all the gear that you’ll require to walk Te Araroa.
Te Araroa Essential Gear List Essentials.
Watch the video that I made prior to starting: What I’m taking to walk 3,000 kilometres across New Zealand
Weather Forecast - Te Araroa Weather Forecast
New Zealand’s weather changes rapidly and it can be very cold at any time of the year. Always be physically and mentally prepared for the worst conditions and be ready to change your plans if necessary.
Website - Te Araroa Official Website
Where is Te Araroa
In the context of the trail as opposed to the town, refer to my interactive maps
Wild Camping - Te Araroa Wild Camping
Winter - Te Araroa in Winter
No, don’t even think about it. Te Araroa is a summer walk. In winter, many of the passes will be covered in snow and the rivers will be too high to cross safely. If section hiking, there may be some low lying sections that you can safely complete, particularly in the north of the North Island.
X
eXpensive - Is Te Araroa Expensive
Comparative to other trails, Te Araroa is expensive partly due to the logistical challenges of transportation between islands and to bypass hazardous zones. Because you will also be walking through urbanised areas you’ll need to pay for more commercial type accommodation.
Is it worth it? You betcha!
Refer #Budget - Te Araroa Budget
Y
YouTube - Te Araroa on YouTube
Z
New Zealand - Te Araroa, New Zealand
Well done, you’ve arrived at the end of the Freewheeling Kiwi Te Araroa A to Z Guide!
Conclusion
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.
When asked by the Radio New Zealand Reporter what my favourite part of hiking the 3000km Te Araroa trail was I replied immediately, it is the people.
Our fellow southbound hikers who we first met via social media and then in real life as we bunny hopped each other on our way down the country. The trail angels who looked out for us, providing guidance along with a warm welcome.
The followers and supporters of Freewheeling Kiwi that offered words of encouragement, a comfy bed, hot meal and shower, a toot and wave or treat on the side of the road. The service providers who ferried us across the sea and around the rivers, the strangers who gave us rides when we hitched. Our friends and family who shared a meal as we passed by.
The northbound hikers, passing briefly on the trail, sometimes sharing a hut and info about what lay ahead for each of us.
Most were strangers and now through our shared experience are friends. Don’t let fears of being a solo walker hold you back, you’ll only be as alone as you want to be.
If you’ve made it this far, well done as this is a very long and comprehensive Guide!
Compiling this A to Z Guide has been a massive effort as it contains a wealth of information which I hope answers most of your questions. If I’ve missed anything or if you’d like to share your thoughts, leave a comment in the box below.
To make it easy for you, I’ve created a free eBook of this guide that contains all the above information.
Planning to Hike in New Zealand?
Useful Links for your Trip
Accommodation
If you’re looking to book a bach for your next holiday, Bookabach is the ideal choice. Bookabach connects homeowners with over 2 million rental properties to travellers looking for holiday accommodation. Find any rental type you can think of, including cabins, lodges, apartments, chateaus and more, all in a range of desirable destinations across the globe. To plan your trip and find your ideal holiday home, all you have to do is search for properties in your destination and securely book your next accommodation. You can also filter searches to find specific amenities, such as family-friendly properties or luxury homes.
Expedia offers travellers a wide selection of accommodation, flights, package, activities and travel services at attractive rates. With hundreds of thousands of accommodation options worldwide and comprehensive choices of flights inventory made readily available on Expedia.co.nz, travellers can easily plan and book their trip
Trivago’s hotel search allows users to compare hotel prices in just a few clicks from hundreds of booking sites for more than 5.0 million hotels and other types of accommodation in over 190 countries
Activities
Experience of a lifetime in the remote wilderness, the stunning Ruapehu District. Whanganui River Canoes, Jetboats, Helicopter.
Unforgettable travel experiences. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination. Make memories all over the globe with our locally-vetted, expertly-curated experiences. From must-see iconic attractions to unexpected under-the-radar gems, we have something for everyone.
Timber Trail Shuttle and Bike Hire / Timber Trail Lodge
In the heart of the Timber Trail, Pureora, New Zealand. Package deals offered for the Timber Trail, shuttle, bike and lodge accommodation.
Clothing, Footwear and Accessories
Creepers - Toe Socks - Discount Code
Toe Socks for Men and Women - Multi-day hikes without blisters, hot spots and discomfort? Dry, low friction and ultrasoft. Use this link to receive 10% off your next purchase of Creepers Socks
Marmot - Hiking clothes and rainwear, tents and sleeping bags - Discount Code
When hiking Te Araroa, I had almost daily use of my pink Marmot jacket as well as the Marmot UL Tungsten tent. I have both the one person and two person version of this tent.
Use this Code FREEWHEELINGKIWIFRIENDS at checkout to receive 15% off full priced items, available for a limited time. https://marmotnz.co.nz/
Merrell - Shoes, clothing and accessories - Discount Code
My Merrell Moab Flights are the only shoes that went the distance when hiking Te Araroa.
Since 1984, Merrell NZ have provided comfortable, resilient, and purpose-designed footwear to the feet of outdoor enthusiasts all over New Zealand. In 2008 they also introduced Merrell's technical apparel to New Zealand - offering garments which get people outside, whatever the weather.
Shop Merrell NZ’s ever-growing eco-friendly footwear, clothing and accessories and make your steps lighter on the planet.
Use this Code FREEWHEELINGKIWI15 at checkout to receive 15% off full https://www.merrell.co.nz/
Emegency and SOS Communications
Remote Satellite Solutions, Lone Worker Services, Satellite device connections. SPOT, inReach, Delorme, GARMIN. Sales and Hires. TrackMe Pro+. TrackMe provided my data when hiking Te Araroa
Flights
Skyscanner - Millions of cheap prices. One simple search Compare flight rates from 1000s of airlines and online travel agents to find the cheapest flight tickets to all major destinations.
Food, Diet and Nutrition
Radix Nutrition - Discount Code
Ready made meals, breakfast and proteins, ideal for hiking
Use this link to receive 15% off your next purchase of Radix Nutrition
radixnutrition.co.nz/FREEWHEELINGKIWI15 or code FREEWHEELINGKIWI15 at checkout (New Zealand Delivery)
Use this link to receive 15% off your next purchase of Radix Nutrition
radixnutrition.com.au/FREEWHEELINGKIWI15
or code FREEWHEELINGKIWI15 at checkout (Australia Delivery)
Campers Pantry - Discount Code
Home style comfort food, trail ready. Use this link to receive 10% off your next purchase of Campers Pantry
camperspantry.com.au/freewheelingkiwi or code FREEWHEELINGKIWI at checkout.
House and Pet Sitters
Trusted House Sitters - The Freedom to Travel - Discover free and unique homestays around the world, in exchange for caring for adorable pets.
Mobile Services and Telecommunications
Express VPN is the world’s largest provider of VPN services, which enables users to protect their privacy and security online with just a few clicks.
Tripsim by SYD - E-SIM provider for Data. Discount Code
Tripsim helps travellers stay connected in over 190 destinations globally.
Use this link to receive 10% off your Tripism purchase https://tripsim.com.au/FREEWHEELINGKIWI or code FREEWHEELINGKIWI at checkout
Maps and Guides
Trail Guides and Maps for Hiking, Camping and Adventure. More tools for more adventures. With offline maps, wrong-turn alerts, and extra planning features, AllTrails+ helps you make the most of every minute outdoors. Ready to check out the best trails in New Zealand for hiking, mountain biking, climbing or other outdoor activities?
FarOut, formerly known as Guthook Guides, is the #1 app for long-distance hiking, biking and paddling with over 100 detailed guides around the world. Plan your trip with offline maps and elevation profiles that work without wifi or cell service, even on airplane mode. Find water, campsites, and more through thousands of waypoint. Connect with friends and family using the Social Check-in feature and let them know you’re safe during your trip
Travel Insurance
Insurance for Nomads Nomad Insurance is a global travel medical insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy it even if you are already abroad.
World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travellers for travellers. If you leave home without travel insurance or your policy runs out, you can buy or extend while on the road.
I receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. I do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Transportation, Transfers and Shuttles
Save up to 70% by comparing the best car rental deals from 700+ suppliers in 10000+ locations worldwide and FREE Cancellation.
Alps to Ocean Shuttles
Your Transport Solution to and from Te Araroa trail heads in Canterbury
Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand. Discover popular and off the beaten track experiences from relaxing in the calm waters of idyllic Maitai Bay, to exploring Waipoua Forest with Māori guides, and discovering craft beer from around the country on the Auckland Beer Mile.
Disclosure: My content is reader-supported, which means I may earn a small commission from links on Freewheeling Kiwi’s Assets if you make a purchase and at no cost to you. This is a way to support me so that I can keep sharing content and stories. Thanks in advance for your support.