News
29 January 2025

Walk this way: explore some of NZ’s best private walks.

 

If the idea of lugging a heavy pack up hill and down dale and cooking freeze-dried meals by torchlight no longer stirs your spirit (and hats off to you if it does!), it doesn’t mean you should pack away your hiking boots for good.

 

Private walks provide a unique way to explore some of the stunning landscapes New Zealand has to offer, without giving up (all) your creature comforts. With catered meals, luggage transport, and curated accommodations, these experiences are ideal for those who want to stay active without sacrificing convenience. Whether it’s coastal views, native bush, or luxury lodgings, there’s a private walk to suit every taste.

 

Top 6 picks

1. Pahi Coastal Walk

  • Season: Late September to early May
  • Cost: $850 per adult (17+)
  • Catering: Fully catered
  • More info: Click to View

 

Located in the Coromandel Peninsula, the Pahi Coastal Walk is a three-day adventure over private farmland and Department of Conservation (DOC) tracks. The 26–34 km trail offers breathtaking 360-degree views, native bush, farmland and almost constant vistas of the stunning Coromandel coastline.

A decent level of fitness helps for the main tracks, but there are gentler options available and you can choose e-biking or shorter trails on the final day. Crucially, your packs are transported, and home-cooked meals ensure you’re well-fuelled for the journey.

 

Pahi Coastal Walk

Pahi Coastal Walk

2. Banks Track

  • Season: 1 October to 30 April
  • Cost: From $450 per person
  • Catering: Self-catered (fully equipped kitchens available)
  • More info: Click to View

 

Set on the Banks Peninsula in Canterbury, this 31 km track opened in 1989 as New Zealand’s first privately-owned track and starts and ends in picturesque Akaroa. It takes you through volcanic landscapes, ancient forests, over coastal cliffs and into otherwise inaccessible bays. Over two or three days, walkers enjoy panoramic views, side trails, and abundant wildlife.

Your luggage is transported and unique nightly accommodations are run by local farming families. Highlights include a historic farm cottage, a bath under the stars, and a penguin colony at Flea Bay. The track allows no more than 16 walkers daily, so there’ll be no traffic jams to contend with. Accommodation includes hot showers and flush toilets and, if you’d prefer separate sleeping quarters, you can book a private room with bedding included (for an additional cost).

 

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3. Tora Coastal Walk

  • Season: late September 2024 to early May
  • Cost: $1,065 per person
  • Catering: Fully catered
  • More Info: Click to View

 

Situated in the Wairarapa, the Tora Coastal Walk is a three-day journey through farmland, native bush, river valleys, and the rugged coastline. The walk features 360-degree hilltop views and diverse landscapes.

Home-cooked meals and well-appointed rural accommodations—including Whakapata Cottage and Stony Bay Lodge, which provides front-row seats to the everchanging Tora sea—add a touch of luxury. Your luggage, including your favourite beverages for a post-walk tipple, are transported for you. All meals are provided, locally-sourced and homecooked by a team of passionate chefs. The track is one-way and numbers are limited to 14 people per day. With moderate fitness required, this walk is perfect for groups and offers an idyllic mix of wilderness and warm hospitality.

 

Tora Coastal Walk

Tora Coastal Walk

4. Kawakawa Station Walk

  • Season: 1 October to 30 April
  • Cost: $900 per adult
  • Catering: Fully catered
  • More info: Click to View

 

Located in the Wairarapa, this three-day walk showcases diverse landscapes, from the foot of the Aorangi Forest Park to the bush-clad high country down to the braided river streams and views out to the stunning South Wairarapa coast. Highlights include 360-degree panoramas from “The Ant” and stays in rustic accommodations like Jakeb’s Cabin and Purple Hut. The cabins are solid with large built-in bunk beds, an open-air kitchen and a bathroom with a hot shower and flushing toilet.

Home-cooked meals feature locally sourced ingredients, and all luggage is transported for you. With walks ranging from 4 to 5 hours per day, the Kawakawa Station Walk is ideal for moderate fitness levels and promises a memorable journey with little other than native bush, ancient trees and bird song for company.

 

Kawakawa Station Walk

Kawakawa Station Walk

5. Kaikoura Coast Track

  • Season: 1 October to 30 April
  • Cost: From $260 per person
  • Catering: Optional (catered meals available for an extra cost)
  • More info: Click to View

 

This two-day walk on the Kaikoura Coast covers 26 km of dramatic scenery, including marine life, tussock-covered farmland, and regenerating bush. Walkers enjoy uncrowded trails with only 10 people per day. Day one offers beach walks and fossil exploration, while day two includes panoramic views of the Seaward Kaikoura Mountains and Pacific Ocean.

Each night you’ll enjoy comfortable upper-end backpacker accommodation provided by conservation minded farming families with a huge knowledge of the local area. Accommodation includes warm, clean cottages with hot showers and equipped kitchens. You can pay extra for catered meals, featuring hearty, home-style cooking.

 

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6. Matahuru Valley Walk

  • Season: late October to mid April
  • Cost: From $645 per adult
  • Catering: Fully catered
  • More Info: Click to View

 

Nestled in North Waikato, the Matahuru Valley Walk offers one- or two-night retreats with a range of walking options. Trails take you through farmland, native bush, and along the Matahuru Stream, with highlights including riparian plantings and panoramic views, including Mt Ruapehu and the Coromandel.

Accommodation at the secluded Tui Ridge farmhouse combines rustic charm with modern comforts. Meals are prepared using seasonal, local ingredients, and shorter walking options make this experience accessible for all fitness levels.

 

 

 

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Matahuru Valley Walk

Matahuru Valley Walk

Photo of Vanessa Glennie
Written by:

Vanessa Glennie

Vanessa is Head of Communications at Lifetime Retirement Income. She’s an experienced investment writer, having spent more than a decade writing about financial markets in the global fund management industry.

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