Expressions of Interest - Tramping New Zealand - Summer 2026

Hi All

Having recently led a group of 9 in completing the Overland Track in Tasmania, I’m looking to expand my horizons and do my first international hike. Not too far, but thinking across the ditch to do some world class walks in New Zealand’s Southern Island. I’m very keen on the following Great Walks.

1. Milford Track - Billed as ‘the finest walk in the world' - Take a journey along valleys carved by glaciers, wander through ancient rainforests and admire cascading waterfalls. You’ll follow a historic route through Fiordland National Park, part of Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, before reaching your final destination, the spectacular Milford Sound/Piopiotahi.
   53.5km over 4 days/3 nights and staying in huts along the way.
   Hut Fees: $390 (2025 price)

For further Information: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/milford-track/

2. Routeburn Track – The Routeburn Track is the ultimate alpine adventure, taking you through ice-carved valleys and below the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps/ Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. A short trip from bustling Queenstown, this Great Walk links Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks in Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Weaving through meadows, reflective tarns and alpine gardens, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular vistas over vast mountain ranges and valleys.
   33km over 3 days.
   Hut Fees: $240 (2025 price)

For further Information: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/routeburn-track/

Backup option if one of these sells out could be the Kepler Track. 3 days, 60Km loop track. $240 NZD.

Note that both of these hikes can be taken leaving Queenstown and I am envisaging a rest day in Queenstown between hikes to rest, recover, restock and sleep before the second hike,

Bookings for the Great Walks go on sale for the Routeburn on the 22nd of May and Milford on the 28th May. I will be on-line to make the group bookings as soon as the bookings open and will do my best to secure the bookings as discussed above. I’m hoping to make a group booking for around 10 people on these dates, so if intending in coming I will need payment for the hut fees by the 20th May. An exact itinerary will be worked out once the huts are booked, although I am thinking of including a 2 night stay in Queenstown between hikes to rest, recuperate, eat and restock.

Approximate Major Cost: $1854 - $2500
Refer to attached image showing price discovery as at 14/04/2025. Note this is just to give an idea on costs, actual costs will vary with exchange rates and also we may be able to organize group booking discounts etc. Also will depend upon accommodation and flights options to be discussed and considered as a group.

I've assumed an early flight (6am, cheapest @ $375) and three nights budget accommodation in Queenstown. Happy to reconsider these options after further discussion with those that sign-up. Volunteers to help research/organize these options would also be awesome - divide and conquer so they say! Also expect bookings for Flights, Travel Accommodation to be organized via the Whatsapp group throughout June/July. I’m not sure if things will book out, so we will book early, as a group to make sure everything runs smoothly. Further payments will therefore be required as we organize these together.

Dates of Travel: I understand that the ideal time to hike these tracks is in February, so my intention is to make the hut booking for Late February, Early March 2026. Exact dates to be confirmed once huts are locked in. Effort will be taken to avoid NZ school and public holidays.

Training and Lead-up Practice Hikes: As with the Overland track I will organize a series of practice hikes in the months leading up to this hike. These will usually be scheduled for the first weekend of each month from Oct through to February and will be at destinations around Victoria, such as Wilsons Prom, Great Ocean Walk (partial) , Great South West Walk (partial), Grampians etc. If signing up for the New Zealand hike you must commit to coming to at least some of these lead-up hikes. This is to ensure that you have the right equipment, fitness level and attitude to make the New Zealand hike an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Medical cover: Australia and New Zealand have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with each other, and will typically cover emergency medical treatment. Additional Travel Insurance may be considered.

To Register Your Interest:

1. RSVP to this event in the meetup app, and
2. IMPORTANT: Join the following Whatsapp group created specifically to organizing this trip: https://chat.whatsapp.com/H6T2pTK6e7c3LZJXGLQgFH
3. IMPORTANT: Numbers are limited to approx. 10 people. These will be the first 10 people who confirm their intention to attend and who transfer me the money to be part of the group booking for huts. This needs to be done before the 20th May,

Cancelations: Everyone will book their own flights, so cancellations for flights will be as per airline policy. I do suggest that we all travel together on the same flight. A number of group bookings will be made, including for the huts, and possibly also for accommodation and busses etc. If you are unable to attend every effort will be made to find a replacement and/or to organize refunds where possible, but this may not be possible if cancellations are made within the last month.

Questions: Please post questions via the comments here, or to the Whatsapp group shown above.

Look forward to some of your company on a new hiking adventure in 2026!

Cheers

Stephen Hallyburton

Disclaimer: By signing up to this event you accept that you are solely responsible for yourselves and your guests. You agree that you are responsible for assessing your and fitness level before deciding to attend any event or activity. You also agree to hold free from liability the organizers and event hosts of this group for any accident, incident, event cancellation or resulting physical, health or emotional consequences for you and your guests from participating in the event.

At the end of the day, we are just likeminded people getting together for a fun shared activity and are each solely responsible for ourselves.