Lesser known 1-day hikes to see the best of Aotearoa

There’s few better ways to truly connect with the land than tramping through the wilderness. Having a van makes it all the better, with your own mobile base from which you can prepare those all important lunches to take, get changed into your gear with privacy, and have a well deserved lie down afterward. NZ is full of famous hikes that get a lot of attention, so we thought we’d share some of our favourite, lesser known hikes from which you can see the best of what Aotearoa has to offer.

Tiritiri Matangi Island

Just north of Auckland lies the emerald green hills of Tiritiri Matangi Island, a scientific reserve flush with native birds, penguin colonies and tranquil beaches. The island is studded with looping trails that are easy to navigate and don’t have too much elevation, with walks taking you past views of the shimmering bay, far-off volcanoes and the expanse of the Pacific Ocean to the east. Reach the crown of the island where Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse stands proudly above the wooded expanse. Keep your eyes peeled for the tiny, hideaway cubby holes the local penguins nest in.

Maude Track - Egmont National Park

Find the enchanted Maude Track on the slopes of the imposing Mt Taranaki, a dormant volcano in the South-Western corner of the North Island. This hike is a harder one, but the rewards at the top make the effort more than worthwhile, with sweeping views down the volcano towards the town of New Plymouth and the jagged coastline of the North Taranaki Bight. Maude Track begins at the end of a quiet, winding road, with your first sight of the volcano coming as you cross paddocks under the watchful gaze of local cows. The trail can be hard to find in some places but you can track your progress with the pest traps along the path. This tramp is sure to stir up some magical feelings as you pass underneath thick canopies, towering trees covered in lichen, and alongside the unique flora that’s only found in volcanic soil.

Cropper’s Clearing - Waitotara Forest

Find a true sense of wilderness isolation in Waitotara Forest, with a series of trails that have been created in the disused Whanganui Water Catchment Reserve. A heap of different paths branch off and wind their way through the stunning nature preserve, so you can take as long or as little as you like exploring the old quarry. Cropper’s Clearing provides a mix of the best of the area, guiding you into secret valleys of green, eerie tracks through forgotten bush, and finishing at the clearing itself, a perfect spot to stop for lunch before the return journey. Look out for wild goats that roam the hillsides.

Whisky Falls Walk - Lake Rotoiti

South of the famous Marlborough District you’ll find Nelson Lakes National Park, with the marvellous Lake Rotoiti at its heart. Like most regions of New Zealand, numerous trails start here and wind their way around either side of the lake and up the surrounding mountains. The Whisky Falls track, at 10.9km return won’t just burn off the holiday calories, it’ll also provide you with some stunning vistas unique to the region. The track meanders along the lakeshore and requires a few careful steps over rocky river paths before reaching the imperious falls. Sit and gape at nature's magnificence by the waterfall, or hop across the track to the famous jetty where you’ll discover one of the most Instagrammable photo ops of your whole trip.

Separation Point Track - Abel Tasman National Park

A road trip around New Zealand simply isn’t complete without at least one visit to Abel Tasman. The expansive National Park at the top of the South Island is host to one of the more famous and longest walks in the country, the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The shorter Separation Point Track is a part of the wider hike, but at 17 km it still packs a punch for a single day. You’ll want to make sure you have some good boots for this one, as you’ll be heading over lots of varying terrain, from golden beaches, boardwalks, wooded hillsides and sloping dust paths. This tramp is really an all-in-one for seeing the highlights of the Abel Tasman region, and the views from Separation Point will leave you speechless.

Roys Peak - Wānaka

To finish off, we’ve chosen one of the more popular routes on the list, but for very good reason. Wānaka, Queenstown’s little sister, deserves to be a certain stop on your South Island road trip packed as it is with all manner of activities, eateries and outdoor adventures to suit anytime of year. Roys Peak stands proudly over Lake Wānaka and is a tough walk to the top, seeing you travel almost vertically non-stop as you ascend 1600 metres to the summit. Don’t be ashamed if you call it at Roys Peak Lookout, as this stunning ridgeline is still a worthy achievement for hikers of any level. Line up for the photo opportunity of a lifetime, gazing over an almost uninterrupted panorama of alpine peaks, glistening sapphire lakes and sparkling hillsides. Your legs might feel heavy, but your heart is sure to be full on the way down.

There’s no better way to see the world than from the immersive journey of a hike, and there’s no better way to get there than in a van from Camplify. Explore our incredible range of campers, caravans and motorhomes today.