From July 1, tramping the Great Walks will be more expensive.

The Department of Conservation is increasing the price of all the Great Walks.

“It has been more than four years since prices were reviewed and upkeep costs have risen significantly since then,” said DOC’s director of heritage and visitors, Cat Wilson. “From 1 July, Great Walk hut and campsite prices will increase by 18% except for Paparoa which will increase by 6%.

“While Great Walk fees don’t cover the full costs, the revenue raised contributes to maintaining, repairing, and improving the huts, campsites, tracks, and structures and balances the cost burden between users and taxpayers.

“While 18% is a sizable increase, the prices were last reviewed in 2019/20 and research shows the fees paid to DOC for these Great Walks are typically just a small proportion of the overall cost of peoples’ trip.”

Wilson maintained the Great Walks were still affordable, noting there were “options ranging from $19 to camp on the Abel Tasman to $92 for a hut on the Milford Track at peak season for New Zealand residents.”

Fees for international visitors remain at a 50% premium to NZ resident fees on most Great Walks.

“DOC is under increased budget pressure from rising construction and maintenance costs and reduced revenue due to the impacts of inflation, extreme weather events including Cyclone Gabrielle, and other economic pressures on New Zealand.

As well as the price increases, DOC has scrapped the kids-go-free approach. Those aged 5 to 17 years will be charged at 50% of the adult fees.

“This is in line with youth and child fees at other DOC huts and campsites,” Wilson said.

“Data shows the ‘youth go free’ approach adopted in 2008 did not noticeably increase children and youth participation on the Great Walks. In some cases, it was even used to hold places on the walks for free, then either not used or cancelled at the last minute, preventing others from being able to book a place on those dates.”

Opening dates for booking huts, campsites and Great Walks for 2024/25 will be announced in April.

New pricing for huts on the Great Walks during peak tramping season (October – April) for New Zealand Residents:

Abel Tasman Coast Track: $50 (adult), $25 (youth)

Heaphy Track: $44 (adult), $22 (youth)

Kepler Track: $80 (adult), $40 (youth)

Lake Waikaremoana Track: $38 (adult), $19 (youth)

Milford Track: $92 (adult), $46 (youth)

Paparoa Track: Ces Clarke Hut – $48 / $24. Moonlight Hut – $74 / $37. Pororari Hut – $58 / $29

Rakiura Track: $44 (adult), $22 (youth)

Routeburn Track: $80 (adult), $40 (youth)

Tongariro Northern Circuit: $44 (adult), $22 (youth)

Whanganui Journey: $35 (adult), $18 (youth)