To this day, New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Jaw-dropping mountains, glaciers, beaches, New Zealand has it all. But its beauty comes with a price. Make one wrong turn and you will be surrounded by tour buses, screaming babies, and hordes of tripod cameras. Here are my tips for planning the best outdoors trip to New Zealand without feeling like a mega tourist.
New Zealand is slowly becoming one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. If you can bare the long flight down and endure crazy weather, the two islands will greet you with some of the most beautiful scenery and best coffee you will ever have.
Trail Distance: ~18 miles
Elevation Gain: ~3400'
Terrain Rating: Easy Side of Moderate
Trail Distance: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain: ~4100'
Terrain Rating: Easy Side of Moderate (4WD track but very steep)
Hike In: 9:24AM
Hike Out: 12:50PM
Trail Distance: 10.5 miles one way (21 miles total)
Elevation Gain: ~1400'
Terrain Rating: Moderate to Above Moderate if raining because of flooding
Abel Tasman National Park is one of New Zealand's must-see destinations and one of the Great Walks. I highly recommend coming here, even if you are from a coastal location! I've been to the beach a lot in the past year (LA, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, etc.) and Abel Tasman was still a highlight, despite the sandflies (I'm at 26 very itchy bites and counting!).
Trail Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: ~3400'
Terrain Rating: Above Moderate (can be dangerous in poor weather)
Hike In: 9:20AM
Hike Out: 2:50PM
Trail Distance: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 3600'
Terrain Rating: Moderate in good weather to Above Moderate in poor weather (loose rock, wooden bridges and stairs, very well-marked trail)
Hike In: 5:20AM
Hike Out: 11:44AM
Trail Distance: <1 mi
Elevation Gain: 232m (~800 ft)
Terrain Rating: Easy
Hike In: 12:15PM
Hike Out: 1:15PM
Trail Distance: 2.8 km
Elevation Gain: 240m (~800 ft)
Terrain Rating: Easy
Hike In: 11:45AM
Hike Out: 12:50PM
