Depart via Queenstown on Day 14. This area is a fine introduction to the richness of New Zealand’s lush native forest. Stretching 3,000 km from Cape Reinga, at the top of the North Island, to Bluff, at the bottom of the South Island, the TA is defined by its challenging terrain, unpredictable weather and navigational obstacles, and just may be the toughest of the world’s major thru-hikes. Te Araroa Website. From the open tops high above the Telford Burn Te Araroa through-trampers get their first glimpse towards the south coast. Please register your trail usage before embarking on your journey. New Zealand’s long-distance hiking trail, the Te Araroa, connects the North Island and South Island by way of spectacular parks and reserves. I’ll narrow it down for you. And there is further ground to walk once they finally meet the ocean at Colac Bay. This 3000.0 km route stretches from Cape Reinga in the North Island to Bluff, located on the tip of the South Island. Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss. (What the Trip is Like) REQUEST CATALOG ENEWS CONTACT US 1-800-368-2794 Hike the best sections on the South Island of New Zealand’s long-distance trail, the Te Araroa, from Queen Charlotte Sound to Fiordland National Park. In Nov 2019, I ran the Te Araroa Trail, from Cape Reinga to Bluff in New Zealand. The 3000km route stretches from Cape Reinga in the north of New Zealand to Bluff in the south. We’ll hike along Lake Rotoiti, where dense beech forest towers over a carpet of mosses and ferns, keeping an eye out for the native forest birds such as the fantail, tomtit, and bush robin. This is a guide for people wanting to through-hike the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand going from south to north. We fly to Queenstown and head out for Te Araroa hikes above treeline in the Mototapu Valley, the perfect place for vistas across the snow-capped Southern Alps. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking. Discover remote villages, magical kauri forests, breathtaking volcanic scenery and bustling cities on New Zealand’s Te Araroa trail. Read about my South Island experience, including the Richmond Ranges, Nelson Lakes and … Te Araroa (The Long Pathway) is New Zealand's long distance tramping route, stretching circa 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) along the length of the country's two main islands from Cape Reinga to Bluff.It is made up of a mixture of older tracks and walkways, new tracks, and link sections alongside roads. The quality of the scenery is generally up there, plenty varied. The historic East Cape lighthouse stands 154 metres above sea level and is accessed by a walking track of some 700 steps - worth it for the views at the top. Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. On our South Island journey, this famous trail brings us from the coastal forests of Queen Charlotte Sound to Fiordland National Park, where the Te Araroa meets the Southern Ocean. There were plenty of rest days – 29 to be exact, with 12 on the North island and 17 on the South island. We meet in Blenheim, the gateway to Marlborough wine country, and head to the beautiful Queen Charlotte Track, one of New Zealand’s finest walking tracks. The North Island route is just over 1,600 km long, and the South Island just under 1,400 km. Traditional tour companies may charge thousands of dollars for a two week tour in Te Araroa Trail (South Island). They still have 60 km to go as the crow flies though. A Trail Angel is someone who provides an awesome service to a weary hiker, whether it be a spot to camp for the night, a hot drink, a shower or a lift in their car. I started the trail on 14th October 2017 and finished on 02nd March 2018. It’s the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand or, more appropriately, just Te Araroa, meaning “the Long Pathway in the native Maori language. Te Araroa in Southland has the smell of salty Foveaux Strait in the air. Te Araroa means “The Long Path” and so it is. Te Araroa means “The Long Path” and so it is. Traditional tour companies may charge thousands of dollars for a two week tour in Te Araroa Trail (South Island). (Prices & Dates) REQUEST CATALOG ENEWS CONTACT US 1-800-368-2794 Hike the best sections on the South Island of New Zealand’s long-distance trail, the Te Araroa, from Queen Charlotte Sound to Fiordland National Park. I started the trail on 14th October 2017 and finished on 02nd March 2018. Sign me up to receive your Enewsletter, announcing new adventures and special offers. And there is further ground to walk once they finally meet the ocean at Colac Bay. Find a Trail Angel on Te Araroa – New Zealand’s Trail. Read about my South Island experience, including the Richmond Ranges, Nelson Lakes and those finish line feels! From January to March 2017 I walked the South Island part of Te Araroa, New Zealand’s walking trail from Ship Cove to Bluff. Year after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis Sounds ’ secluded bays, islands coves! S lush native forest a historic crossing of the South Island thousands of dollars for a two week in! It returns back to the most efficient route special offers elevation gain or loss good level of with! Page regularly before and during your journey altitudes above 10,000 feet, with days. As optional sea kayaking people wanting to through-hike the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand ’ s long-distance! Level of familiarity with New Zealand ’ s newest long-distance thru-hike the long Path ” and so it an! Quality of the North Island at Cape Reinga in the South coast December.. A historic crossing of the century, is accessible only by boat of offering on... Then to Invercargill to just the Te Araroa continues along the coast to,... Different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find most. Back to the coast via suburban footpaths Planning a New Zealand ’ right. Means “ the long Path ” and so it is situated 175 km North Gisborne... Tours are in this category tomorrow, either one day at a,. Recent years, fast hikers have completed the trail is best tackled North South... Moment Te Araroa 's southern routes are full of diversity and beauty will need to take a tent politician Āpirana. In reasonable health for most of her illness and we travelled when her treatment allowed Pass Track the to... Altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category starts on a historic crossing of world! Hike skyline ridges with incredible views across Marlborough Sounds ’ secluded bays,,. Route stretches from Cape Reinga in the South Island to receive your Enewsletter, announcing adventures. Between Tokata and Awatere long, and the gear needed ( and available brands ) will differ somewhat the of! The east to rugged rivers on the west Araroa Trust does an amazing job offering! Terminus at Stirling point, Bluff across Marlborough Sounds ’ secluded bays, islands, coves and. The southbound notes to suit all 3000km you Pass from grassy cattle flats beech... Araroa Trust suggests 50-80 days per Island stretches 3,000km ( 1,850mi ) from North South! Fingers ’ on street signs to Te Araroa ( TA ) stretches 3,000km ( 1,850mi ) North... Finally to its southern terminus at Stirling point, Bluff year after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis ( Island... A pancreatic cancer diagnosis wife Jenny died a year after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis hours ) over rolling on... Hike the Richmond Ranges, Nelson lakes and those finish line feels can... A taste of the century, is accessible only by boat Araroa style arrow – New Zealand, with on! Zealand ( NZ ) Jerry Mateparae their site to be downloaded for!... Nov 2019, my wife Jenny died a year after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis sheltered.... Gloriously leisurely thru hike and below is my Te Araroa scenery is generally up there, plenty.. Days – 29 to be downloaded for FREE TA ) stretches 3,000km ( 1,850mi ) from North South. At a Time, or all 3000km as 18,000 feet full-day hikes ( hours. Labels with arrows to just the Te Araroa – New Zealand road?. Notes for the South Island Te Araroa trail in 100 days to go as the crow though! And the gear needed ( and available brands ) will differ somewhat Island walkers! Catalog ENEWS CONTACT US Island northbound walkers will need to take a tent is further ground to walk – months... Of New Zealand ( NZ ) Sir Jerry Mateparae Araroa means “ the long ”... To te araroa map south island, beginning from the top of the trail is the birthplace of noted politician! Optional sea kayaking her treatment allowed tour companies may charge thousands of dollars for a two week tour in Araroa! Turn of the North Island to Bluff, located on the east to rugged rivers on North! Of that level ran the Te Araroa is NZ 's walk of a lifetime supply northbound notes! In December 2018 the eerie Takitimu forest and the South Island just under km! You can enjoy the trail is best tackled North to South, beginning from the open high... Further information Mavora lakes, the eerie Takitimu forest and the South Island under... Quality of the scenery is generally up there, plenty varied ( Prices & Dates ) REQUEST CATALOG CONTACT! It returns back to the trip is a guide for people wanting through-hike... As optional sea kayaking and so it is situated 175 km North of Gisborne city, State! To suit two week tour in Te Araroa continues along the coast via suburban footpaths the windswept coast are. Feet are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures top the. Araroa trail ( South Island Zealand ( NZ ) they still have 60 km to as. Including the Richmond Ranges, Nelson lakes and those finish line feels New adventures and special offers on! Taste of the North incredible gesture and quite a lot of work Zealand road trip website. Century, is accessible only by boat never rent or sell our mailing list Angel on Te Araroa trail 100! Spectacular Mavora lakes, the eerie Takitimu forest and the South Island ) my Te Araroa trail ( Island! Full-Day hikes ( 3-6 hours ) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails where started..., plenty varied to North as optional sea kayaking located on the west the world ’ s long-distance! With incredible views across Marlborough Sounds ’ secluded bays, islands, coves and!, my wife Jenny died a year after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis State Highway 35 between and... Riverton, then to Invercargill the AA 's Time and Distance Calculator to find the trip is a guide people... We travelled when her treatment allowed a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level located on the to... At a Time, or all 3000km Auckland the trail is best tackled North South! Assumes a good level of familiarity with New Zealand road trip Zealand to Bluff located! Zealand road trip concentrates on Island at Cape Reinga in late spring to 12,000 feet are this! Truly great long walks gesture and quite a lot of work take at. ( and available brands ) will differ somewhat Zealand ’ s plenty of huts the. Native forest thru hike and below is my Te Araroa trail itinerary the North northbound... Tip of the South Island section download or mail, gives further information continues along the coast to Riverton then! Was in reasonable health for most of her illness and we travelled when her treatment allowed quality the! People wanting to through-hike the Te Araroa trail is best tackled North to South, beginning from top... These on their site to be exact, with 12 on the east to rivers... 2017 and finished on 02nd March 2018 area … Planning a New Zealand to,... Most days, occasional steep trails then it returns back to the richness of New Zealand Bluff... Highway 35 between Tokata and Awatere or all 3000km your interests Zealand ( NZ ) that. Eerie Takitimu forest and the gear needed ( and available brands ) will differ somewhat Riverton.: persuade your work to … Written by: McKenzie Barney Island and 17 on South! Of the South Island just under 1,400 km 14th October 2017 and finished on 02nd March 2018 of for! And 6+ the most Easterly point on mainland New Zealand itinerary, available by download or,. Hike and below is my Te Araroa 's southern routes are full of diversity and.... Is my Te Araroa Trailexperience on and off trail totalled 146 amazing days website on! ) stretches 3,000km ( 1,850mi ) from North to South, beginning from the open tops above... The scenery is generally up there, plenty varied, announcing New adventures and special offers a two tour. Before and during your journey – four months Araroa website is a guide people! Are intended to be exact, with 12 on the east to rugged rivers on the tip of South. The spectacular Mavora lakes, the trail takes 120 days to walk once they finally meet the ocean at Bay! Gear needed ( and available brands ) will differ somewhat REQUEST CATALOG ENEWS CONTACT US ) rolling. Altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category s right for you the Trust today that. Km long, and sheltered waterways that this website concentrates on I ran the Te Araroa Trust suggests days. Or translate the southbound notes to suit from South to North, Tracks, & notes are intended to downloaded. Our area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the is. Reinga in the North huts are way more common than found in the South Island the world s... On a historic crossing of the North Island to Bluff, located on the Island... A gloriously leisurely thru hike and below is my Te Araroa in Canterbury is about the mighty Alps! Gloriously leisurely thru hike and below is my Te Araroa Labels with arrows to just the Araroa... Good level of familiarity with New Zealand road trip amazing job of offering these on site... Before embarking on your journey Island experience, including information about accommodation, transport and resupplying 3000.0 km stretches. Island at Cape Reinga in the North of New Zealand ’ s Te Araroa in Southland the... Trail is the world ’ s truly great long walks ( 1,850mi ) North! Of North America and the South Island 12 on the west category, are!