Best Hikes on New Zealand’s South Island

New Zealand is a hikers dream come true, it has some of the best hikes in the world. Let me share the six of the Best Day Hikes we did during our two weeks road trip around New Zealand’s South Island.

Hiking is not only the best way to see a country’s breathtaking landscapes, but it also helps to keep to a budget. While New Zealand is considered one of the more expensive countries to travel, one-day hikes are mostly free all around the country. Read further about the best one-day hikes on New Zealand’s South Island.

Mueller Hut Route

This one-day hike is one of my favourite hikes on New Zealand’s South Island. The views are absolutely dramatic. It was cloudy, and Mount Cook was hidden behind the clouds. But nevertheless, the view was spectacular.

The trail starts at White Horse Hill campsite and is easy and flat until you reach the foot of the Mueller Range. The distance is only about 5km, but it is quite steep: you will gain about 1,050m.

The first part of the trail follows Sealy Tarns track. There’s about 2,200 steps over an elevation of about 600m to reach Sealy Tarns. From Sealy Tarns to Mueller Hut the trail is a lot more difficult: the trail gets more rugged, and the ascend is steeper. To reach Mueller Hut you need to climb another 450m.

The track can be done in one day, but you can also stay in the Mueller Hut overnight and enjoy a sunset, a sunrise and the stars. But remember that you need to book a place in a hut well in advance. You can also pitch a tent near the hut.

Hooker Valley Track

Hooker Valley Track starts at White Horse Hill campsite, goes past Mueller Lake and then along the Hooker River and brings you to milky blue Hooker Lake.

It is an easy and flat track with mind-blowing views, but it’s also a heavy trafficked one. It has by far the highest reward for effort ratio.

You will cross three different suspension bridges, and the entire way, you have non-stop mountain views with magnificent Aoraki /Mount Cook as your backdrop. ⠀

Key Summit Track

Key Summit Track is the start of the amazing Routeburn track and offers magnificent views of Fiordland National Park.

The first part of the hike runs uphill through native New Zealand bush. After about an hour there will be a turnoff to Key Summit. From there it’s about 20 minutes to the top, and the views get more beautiful the higher you climb. From Key Summit you will see panoramic views over the Humboldt and Darran Mountains, and there’s short loop track taking you around the summit.

Bealey Spur Track

Bealey Spur Track starts as a gentle hike through mountain beech forest. Higher up, it passes through tussock grasslands, subalpine scrub, and several tarns.⠀

The trail brings you to Bealey Spur hut, but you also have an option to go further up to 1545 Hill for 360° view of mountains, valleys and braided rivers. The track to 1545 Hill is unmarked. Please allow extra 1.5 hours.

Temple Basin track ⠀

Temple Basin is one of the most scenic trails in the area. It starts: from SH 73 roadside car-park, 5 km north of Arthur’s Pass township.

The trail starts as a 4WD gravel track and then zigzags up the hill to the Lockwood Shelter. When you get there, you will be rewarded with mind-blowing views of Mt Rolleston across the valley. ⠀

Rob Roy Glacier Track

We decided to do Rob Roy Glacier Track instead of Roys Peak Track, which is a very popular track near Wanaka with a spectacular view from the top. I thought Roys Peak Track would be more crowded, so we went for Rob Roy Glacier, and met only 2 people on the way there.

After about 1.5km from the car park there is a swing bridge over the Matukituki River. After crossing the bridge, you mostly hike through the beech forest which was a bit boring. But once you get to the lookouts, the view of the Rob Roy glacier are spectacular.