Just wondering if anyone has visited and camped the South Island of New Zealand. My Wife and I will be hiking that area and are planning to use our backpacking gear whenever possible. They have huts on the great walks but any info on the drive to camping options and availability throughout the area would be much appreciated.

I spent 6 months in NZ a few years ago and did a lot of hiking/camping. Happy to answer any questions!


There is so much to do and so many possibilities. Are there areas that you are already planning to visit? How long will you be there? When will you be there? Some context might help myself (and others) give you better suggestions.


One right off the top of my head: Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park is not to be missed. In particular, the Mueller Hut Route is absolutely spectacular. Probably my favorite hike while there. Here's a picture from that:

I haven’t camped there but did have hiking boots with me last year for some work out in the field. Before you go make sure all of your gear, clothes, and shoes are really clean with no dirt on them. They will inspect it all on the way into the country in order to prevent contamination of their environment with any things that could be living in the dirt. We saw them unrolling tents to inspect the bottoms. It’s an isolated country and gets a lot of visiting campers.

I am very interested in this thread. My husband and I are also going to NZ in February 2019 for his 50th. I have been reading TripAdvisor posts for NZ. Feels like a lot to wrap my brain around. This is the toughest time I have had planning a trip. :-)

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I spent three weeks there in 2006. I rented a "micro van" (Nissan station wagon with bed cushions), and did some tramps. It was very easy to camp--just pull off the road at a picnic area, etc. It's well accepted, and a very easy way to see the island. I never had a problem finding a place to park, and there are campgrounds around the more popular tramps (and even in Christchurch).

I spent 4 months there. Hiked the south island and a couple of treks in the north. Magical place. Great people. Easy to get around. Loved it.

A great place to visit but kind of out if the way (not so much for us since we came from and returned to Guam). The southern Alps are not to be missed. I rented some trekking gear while there. A very outdoor sports oriented country, especially the South Island.

stewart island is a gem as well. A harrowing plane flight (small prop like a cessna) to land on the mountain top and hike down into town. One of the few places besides trekking into the wilds near Arthur's pass where you can still find kiwis. I might be back in that area of the world in March. Get the lonely planet tramping guide. It's worth the expense.

Freddy: "
Just wondering if anyone has visited and camped the South Island of New Zealand. My Wife and I will be hiking that area and are planning to use our backpacking gear whenever possible. They have huts on the great walks but any info on the drive to camping options and availability throughout the area would be much appreciated."

My son was there for four months last fall/winter. He did a LOT of backcountry travel. I will send you his contact in a PM.

Generally, I could bus it to just about any start of a track. The bus drivers know the km markers or can get you very close to drop you off. The main logistical issue is that the tracks are sort of "one way". You hike them to their end but then you have no ride when you get there. This means that you have to hoof it to a nearby town which can be a loooong walk or you can spot a car there or you can just walk the route backwards (the least interesting option). I hitch hiked most of the time and did fine. Occassionally, tour buses will be passing by the trailheads and you can book them in advance to pick you up at a certain time on a certain day. I did this when exiting the Greenstone Caples (after the Routeburne) and was heading to do the Hollyford. These are just a few examples.

geotramper: "I spent 6 months in NZ a few years ago and did a lot of hiking/camping. Happy to answer any questions!



There is so much to do and so many possibilities. Are there areas that you are already planning to visit? How long will you be there? When will you be there? Some context might help myself (and others) give you better suggestions.



One right off the top of my head: Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park is not to be missed. In particular, the Mueller Hut Route is absolutely spectacular. Probably my favorite hike while there. Here's a picture from that:



"

Great shot!

Just a thank you to all who responded to this request. Your input is truly appreciated and will be of great help to us in planning for this adventure. Have a great Holiday Weekend!

I spent nearly a year in country and mostly on the South Island. You cannot go wrong anywhere you go though the popular tracks get crowded in summer and sharing huts is not my cup of tea. During summer you’ll have much more isolation with a tent. Other hand if you’re into the socializing thing, huts work well.

Mt Aspiring National Park was among my favorites.

Ah one other thing: the kiwis are pretty hardcore and their trails are quite steep. Trail ratings are super conservative: their “easy” is often more like our “intermediate+.”

Feel free to reach out if you’d like more info or to chat.

Very true! Their trails go straight up and over with no switchbacks. Also, buy the best topos that you can find in-country. Most of their treks are rated as "routes" which can and often are little more than goat and sheep trails through pastures and up hillsides before you can find an established trail. Most of their routes are used by locals though and they can point you in the right direction should you need it.