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  • New Zealand

    Looking for the best chillin in New Zealand? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New Zealand. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

    Top Chillin Spots in and near New Zealand

    • Kaikoura, New Zealand

      Hike the Kaikoura Peninsula

      4.3 mi / 196.9 ft gain
      From the Point Kean carpark head south up the paved walkway until you reach the Clifftop Walk. This trail will take you past East Head and Atia Point before it becomes the South Bay Lookout Walk. When you reach car park at trail's end turn back the way you came and descend the stairs near East He...
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    • Westland National Park, New Zealand

      Explore Peter's Pool

      From the carpark for Franz Josef Glacier, Peter's Pool is signposted to the left near the toilets. The walk takes you through a fern and beech forest, eventually dropping you in front of the gorgeous and reflective Peter's Pool. Snap a few photos and then return the way you came or continue along...
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    • Hanmer Springs, New Zealand

      Hike the Forest Journey

      2 mi
      This track is located just outside of Hanmer springs, and is the perfect afternoon or morning walk. Don't plan on this taking a whole day as the longest loop takes an about 90 minutes, if you are taking your time and enjoying it all. There are clear signs that guide you on this amble through the ...
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    • Waikawa, New Zealand

      Overnight Kayak the Queen Charlotte Sound

      5.0
      For those who do not have their own kayaks, do not fear, there are different companies in the area that will rent kayaks and safety gear to you. They will also help you with route planning and weather conditions to ensure that you have the best trip possible. I used a company called Sea Kayak Adv...
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    • Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand

      Climb Mt. Ollivier

      5.0
      7 mi / 3436 ft gain
      Start on the track from the White Horse Hill campground. Follow the track up almost 2,000 steps until you reach Sealy Tarns. From here the track continues steeply up the mountain until you reach the ridge. Continue over the ridge until reaching the hut. From here continue up the ridge to the summ...
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    • Westland National Park, New Zealand

      Watch the Sunset from the Waiho River Bridge

      The Waiho River is a glacial fed river from the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. The main road to get there is Highway 6, which becomes a long single-lane bridge when it crosses the river. If you find yourself staying in the small town of Franz Josef over night then you should make the short walk...
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    • Benmore, New Zealand

      Hike the Benmore Peninsula Track

      The Benmore Peninsula track is approximately a 4km loop circuit and takes around 1.5 hours to complete. It is not a particularly physically demanding hike, but beautiful nonetheless. On a good weather day, the water on Lake Benmore will appear to be bright turquoise and you will be able to see Mo...
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    • Milford Sound, New Zealand

      Overnight Cruise the Milford Sound

      5.0
      If you are ever visiting New Zealand's south island, I cannot implore you more to consider doing the overnight cruise of the Milford Sound via Real Journeys. For roughly $300, you board, in Queenstown, a custom designed Real Journeys tour bus that has seats slightly angled towards the windows as ...
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    • Glenorchy, New Zealand

      Backpack the Magical Earnslaw Burn

      8.7 mi / 1968.5 ft gain
      Once you identify the parking area (Right turn off Glenorchy Paradise Road just before crossing the Earnslaw Burn, park a the bend in the road.) Cross the boggy meadow in a NW direction until you see the orange trail markers on trees.The trail below bush line is long, very rugged and covered with...
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    • Karekare, New Zealand

      Explore Karekare Falls

      0.2 mi / 98.4 ft gain
      A stunning horsetail waterfall that is only a short, uphill walk from the Karekare beach carpark (roughly 100m from carpark to track) in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The waterfall is approximately 30m tall, casting a spray of clear fresh water down upon a cool swimming hole.  The flow is s...
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    • Greenstone, New Zealand

      Hike to Lake Rere

      The track begins from the Greenstone carpark. After walking for around 5 minutes, you will chose which direction you would like to complete the loop. For our hike we chose to go left over the swing bridge that crosses the river. After crossing the river you continue through open farm paddocks....
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    • Moeraki, New Zealand

      Explore Katiki Point Lighthouse

      From the car park, the trail leads in two directions. Following the track to your left will take you down to a penguin hide overlooking the coast. Watch the rocky shoreline carefully as many of the large boulders are actually napping fur seals. From the hide, you can observe penguins going out to...
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    • Springfield, New Zealand

      Hike Foggy Peak and Castle Hill Peak

      5.0
      8.1 mi / 3280.8 ft gain
      Park in the gravel roadside parking area at the highpoint of Porters Pass. Follow the faint use path up the lower scree slopes of Foggy Peak northward towards the summit. Upon reaching the summit of Foggy Peak the alpine traverse to Castle Hill Peak becomes obvious. The hike between the two peaks...
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    • Kokatahi, New Zealand

      Hike to the Mt. Brown Hut and Mt. Brown Summit

      5 mi / 3937 ft gain
      This trail is unique in that it is community run, solely by volunteers.  The track starts at a signposted car park just short of an hour east of Hokitika. From here the fairly short, but steep track climbs just over 1000m through native bush following a marked and well trodden trail. About half a...
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    • Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

      Camp at Cascade Creek

      This campsite is just off the Milford Highway. There will be a sign for the Cascade Creek Campground exit. Follow the dirt road for several minutes before reaching the campground. You may find a spot immediately, but the campground is fairly large and can get busy, so drive until you find a spot ...
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    • Maitai, New Zealand

      Hike up Botanical Hill

      5.0
      1.5 mi / 482 ft gain
      The starting point of this hike is the Botanical Reserve in Nelson. Park your car on the Hardy Street East. You can get to the reserve over a footbridge from the end of Hardy street. The Trail head is at the sign (The Kauri track) near the trees, in the north-eastern corner of the Botanical Res...
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