Te Araroa Guide — 3,000 km Trail Across New Zealand

Te Rerenga Wairua – Motupōhue

The complete route runs from the spiritual northern cape of Te Rerenga Wairua / Cape Reinga to Motupōhue / Bluff. Across roughly 3,000 km, it links mountain passes, volcanoes, rivers, plains, towns, cities, remote landscapes, and coastal terrain.

Cape Reinga to Bluff overview →

Te Tai Tokerau – Northland

Most southbound through-walkers begin in Northland. The region includes Cape Reinga, long beaches, steep bush, remote forests, water crossings, and coastal towns. Ninety Mile Beach is a major early feature, and some sections require tide awareness and careful planning for water and camping.

Northland section →

Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland

The trail enters Auckland from the north after coastal and semi-rural walking, then moves through suburban routes and ferries into the central city. It crosses the isthmus from the Pacific Ocean side toward Manukau Harbour and the Tasman Sea side.

Auckland section →

Waikato

The Waikato section follows the Waikato River, visits the Hakarimata Range, passes through Hamilton, climbs Mt Pirongia, crosses King Country farmland, passes Waitomo, and moves toward the central North Island forests near Mt Tongariro.

Waikato section →

Whanganui – Manawatū

This region carries the trail from mountains to sea, through Tongariro and Whanganui national parks, then through pastoral landscapes, Feilding, Palmerston North, and toward the Tararua Ranges. The route combines river travel, bush, tussock, road walking, and harder tramping.

Manawatū – Whanganui section →

Te Whanganui a Tara – Wellington

This section includes the Tararua Ranges, one of New Zealand's more challenging tramping areas, before descending toward the Kāpiti Coast. Exposed ridgelines and coastal walking lead into Wellington, the capital and a natural resupply, rest, or transition point between islands.

Wellington section →

Te Tau Ihu – Marlborough

The South Island begins with the Marlborough Sounds. From historic Ship Cove, the trail follows the Queen Charlotte Track through forested ridges, bays, lodges, and water-taxi-accessible sections. This is one of the more accessible and comfortable South Island introductions.

Marlborough section →

Te Tai o Aorere – Tasman

This is among the hardest tramping on Te Araroa. The Richmond Alpine Track is steep, exposed, and unformed in places, with summits above 1,500 m and multiple stream crossings. Waiau Pass is a major alpine highlight in summer, but winter and spring can bring snow and avalanche danger.

Tasman section →

Waitaha – Canterbury

The Canterbury route enters the Southern Alps via Harper Pass, crosses beech forest, rivers, merino stations, and Crown land, then reaches the large braided Rakaia and Rangitata rivers. These rivers are safety zones and are not part of the trail proper; they should not be crossed on foot. The route continues through the Mackenzie Basin, turquoise lakes, views toward Aoraki / Mount Cook, Twizel, and the Ohau Range.

Canterbury section →

Ōtākou – Otago

Otago combines lakes, mountains, forests, goldmining history, resort towns, and river trails. The walking ranges from easier sections beside the Hāwea and Clutha rivers to the more demanding Motatapu Track. The route passes near Wānaka and Queenstown, then leaves Otago via the Mavora Walkway and Greenstone Track.

Otago section →

Murihiku – Southland

The southern section includes Mavora Lakes, Takitimu Forest, open tops, coastal walking, Riverton, Invercargill, and the final approach to Stirling Point at Bluff. After reaching the south coast near Colac Bay, the trail continues east along the coast before reaching its southern terminus.

Southland section →