Southland's Hump Ridge track. Video supplied / Department or Conservation
If you love the great outdoors, circle May 13 in your calendar — it is the day bookings open for New Zealand’s Great Walks and other huts and campsites.
DoC has announced it will open bookings for the 2025/2026 season in May, giving people the chance to book huts, campsites and, of course, the famous Great Walks.
The opening dates will be staggered from May 13 to 28 to “give people making multiple bookings a better chance of securing their preferred slot” the Department of Conservation said.
The agency also dropped one key nugget of advice for those hoping to get a booking: create your booking profile before opening day. That way, users will not waste time on booking day.
One question hanging over opening day is whether this will be the third year DoC’s booking website experiences issues. In 2024, a “patchy experience” forced the organisation to reboot the website, and in 2023 the platform crashed due to overwhelming demand when more than 10,000 people logged on to try to nab a spot.
This year, DoC has upgraded the booking system making it easier to use.
“This includes implementing a queue system on opening days, to smooth the experience for customers and to better manage very high demand at peak times.”DoC shared in a statement.
Popular walks such as Milford Track have filled out within 45 minutes due to both international and domestic demand and DoC expects its newest walk (Hump Ridge Track) to attract the same attention.
Walkers take on the Hump Ridge Track in Fiordland. Photo / Tourism New Zealand
When will bookings open for the Great Walks?
Bookings will open at 9.30am each assigned day. The Heaphy, Kepler, Rakiura and Hump Ridge tracks will be the first Great Walks to open, on May 15. Milford Track will open last on May 28. Booking for other DoC accommodations will open between these dates.
Opening dates for Great Walk accommodation bookings
Rex Simpson Hut by day, a backcountry hut in the hills above Lake Tekapo.
What happens if you miss out on a booking?
DoC Director of Heritage and Visitors, Cat Wilson urged visitors to remember New Zealand is full of beautiful spots to walk around or stay.
“With demand for spots on some of our Great Walks still very high, people should consider some of the less well-known walks which are just as spectacular.”
What to know about New Zealand’s Great Walks
Whether you’ve booked a walk or need inspiration, check out Herald Travel’s best features on Aotearoa’s Great Walks.
