The Department of Conservation has announced new opening dates for booking Great Walks for the 2023/24 season (excluding Milford which booked out on April 20).

When DOC went to release opening dates in May for the rest of the Great Walks, technical difficulties forced a postponement of that release.

“We are now pleased to announce that the rest of the Great Walks bookings will open from 11 July,” says Cat Wilson, director of heritage and visitors.

“The fixes made to the booking system have been tested extensively by our vendor and an independent specialist, so we have the assurance we need to re-open bookings soon.

“We are grateful to everyone for their patience and understanding and appreciate the time it has taken to make the required changes to the system mean we are opening bookings later than usual.”

The new dates are as follows:

Tongariro Northern Circuit: Tuesday, July 11, 9.30am
Rakiura Track: Wednesday, July 12, 9.30am
Paparoa Track: Thursday, July 13, 9.30am 
Abel Tasman Coast Track: Tuesday, July 18, 9.30am
Whanganui Journey: Wednesday, July 19, 9.30am
Kepler Track: Thursday, July 20, 9.30am
Routeburn Track: Tuesday, July 25, 9.30am
Heaphy Track: Wednesday, July 26, 9.30am (Due to storm damage, the Heaphy Track can be booked from either end up to October 19, 2023, with the full track expected to be open later in the year.)