Travellers on Great Walks of New Zealand trips no longer need to be fully vaccinated against Covid19. However, we do request that you refrain from joining a trip if you have tested positive to covid in the 7 days prior to departure to help create the safest possible environment for you, your co-travellers and our local staff.  If you are feeling unwell in any way prior to your trip commencing, please refrain from travelling.

There are still a number of walking tracks in the South Island either closed or undergoing repairs from storm damage:

Heaphy Track: partially closed until October 2023. Helicopter shuttle available over damaged track (subject to minimum numbers and weather) until that time or refer to alternative itinerary for an out-and-back walk from Brown Hut trailhead.

Abel Tasman Track: high tide track from Anchorage to Torrent Bay remains closed (Day 4 for southbound itineraries; Day 2 for northbound itineraries). Low tide route open and guests will be advised at trip briefings whether low tide access is possible. Water taxi bypass of this section of track may apply if tide times are not appropriate for walking.   

Nydia Track: Nydia Track is open. Walkers are advised to take care as sections of the track that were damaged may be muddy and slippery.

Jacobs Track: the track remains closed due to slips and windfall until further notice. This is included on the Nydia Walk and Cruise trip. We will continue to monitor the situation and advise travellers with forward bookings closer to the time if a contingency plan is necessary.

Queen Charlotte Track: fully open and functioning. Walkers are advised to take care as machinery and track maintenance is ongoing and some newly repaired sections are soft, muddy and slippery.  It remains that there is no road access to anywhere in the Marlborough Sounds.

02 November 2022 

There are still a number of walking tracks in the South Island either closed or undergoing repairs from storm damage:

Paparoa Track: now fully open, no road closures to access the trail

Heaphy Track: partially closed until October 2023. Helicopter shuttle available over damaged track until that time or refer to alternative itinerary for an out-and-back walk from Brown Hut trailhead.

Abel Tasman Track: high tide track from Anchorage to Torrent Bay remains closed (Day 4 for southbound itineraries; Day 2 for northbound itineraries). Low tide route open and guests will be advised at trip briefings whether low tide access is possible. Water taxi bypass of this section of track may apply if tide times are not appropriate for walking.   

Nydia Track: the track remains partially closed due to slips and windfall. There is currently no time frame scheduled for repairs but these will occur as soon as possible. The road to Kaiuma Bay (southern) trailhead is now open, with ongoing roadworks. The road to Duncan Bay (northern trailhead) is open with roadworks continuing. We don’t recommend booking any trips in November as these will be quite disrupted. Nydia Track Self-Guided Walk and Nydia Walk and Cruise trips may be subject to a modified itinerary during November 2022 pending progress of track and road repairs. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to any affected travellers closer to departure date.

Jacobs Track: the track remains closed due to slips and windfall until further notice. This is included on the Nydia Walk and Cruise trip. We will continue to monitor the situation and advise travellers with forward bookings closer to the time if a contingency plan is necessary.

Queen Charlotte Track: fully open and functioning. Walkers are advised to take care as machinery and track maintenance is ongoing and some newly repaired sections are soft, muddy and slippery.  It remains that there is no road access to anywhere in the Marlborough Sounds.

New Zealand’s borders are now fully open to visitors from anywhere in the world. Visitors no longer require vaccination against Covid19 to enter the country but do check with your airline as some still require this to fly. There are different requirements to enter the country via land and via the sea. For more information see covid19.govt.nz

Travellers on Great Walks of New Zealand trips no longer need to be fully vaccinated against Covid19. However, we do request that you refrain from joining a trip if you have tested positive to covid in the 7 days prior to departure to help create the safest possible environment for you, your co-travellers and our local staff.  If you are feeling unwell in any way prior to your trip commencing, please refrain from travelling.

There are still a number of walking tracks in the South Island either closed or undergoing repairs from storm damage:

Paparoa Track: the access road to the Smoke-ho (southern) trailhead is closed until 21 October. We recommend walking in and out from the Punakaiki (northern) trailhead until after this time.

Heaphy Track: unchanged from 8 September update

Abel Tasman Track: re-routing of damaged sections of track to backcountry standard (ie. rough and uneven surfaces) is anticipated at this stage to be completed by 31 October (tentative date). Trips that include the Abel Tasman Track will follow modified itineraries until that date. There are currently no Great Walks of New Zealand travellers booked prior to that date.

Nydia Track: the track is partially closed due to slips and windfall. There is currently no time frame scheduled for repairs but these will occur as soon as possible. The road to Kaiuma Bay (southern) trailhead is now open, with ongoing roadworks. The road to Duncan Bay (northern trailhead) remains closed and will be for some time. We don’t recommend booking any trips in October as these will be quite disrupted. Nydia Track Self-Guided Walk and Nydia Walk and Cruise trips may be subject to a modified itinerary during November 2022 pending progress of track and road repairs. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to any affected travellers closer to departure date.

Jacobs Track: the track is currently closed due to slips and windfall until further notice. This is included on the Nydia Walk and Cruise trip. The first departure is not until mid-November by which time the situation may have changed. We will continue to monitor the situation and advise travellers on that departure closer to the time if a contingency plan is necessary.

Queen Charlotte Track: only one section of the track remains closed (between Furneaux Lodge and Punga Cove) with repairs expected to be completed by early October (tentative date). Contingencies are in place to modify the itinerary if necessary although we hope the first departure on Queen Charlotte Track at end of October will not be affected. The Portage Hotel remains closed until 15 October (for lodge-based trips) with Lochmara Lodge being used as an alternative. It remains that there is no road access to anywhere in the Marlborough Sounds.

An update on the status of walking tracks affected by recent storms in the north and west of the South Island follows:

• Paparoa Track: vehicle access to the Smokeho carpark / trailhead from Blackball remains closed however the road is passable on foot or by bike (adds 6.5km to the walk, mostly uphill, so we recommend adding an extra day to the walk and staying at Ces Clark Hut); the track itself is open
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• Heaphy Track: track remains closed between the James Mackay and Heaphy Huts until at least May 2023; through walks are not possible except by helicopter transfer (from Oct 2022); walkers can choose between this option or a modified “in-and-out” walk from the Brown Hut end of the track; slips on some sections have resulted in steep drop-offs and narrow parts of the track with care needed; local roadworks may slow access to the Brown Hut trailhead

• Abel Tasman: several sections of the track remain temporarily closed while repairs are carried out (Coquille Bay to Anchorage; high tide route from Anchorage to Torrent Bay – low tide route is fine; Medlands to Bark Bay; Tonga Quarry to Onetahuti Beach); boat access to all parts of the track is possible; for new bookings in September and possibly October expect a modified itinerary including sea kayaking and additional water taxi transfers around damaged sections of track until further notice

• Nydia Track: work is being carried out to clear slips on the Kaiuma Bay Rd and Duncan Bay Rd but there is currently no road access to either trailhead on the Nydia Track; the track itself is open and walkers are advised to allow more time than usual to navigate multiple slips. Nydia Track Walk and Cruise travellers are not affected by these road closures, however, access to Havelock to begin the trip may be compromised depending on direction of travel. Check NZTA Marlborough Roads and NZTA National Road Closures  for updates. For any new bookings, Nydia Track Self-Guided Walk may be subject to a modified itinerary during October and November 2022 pending progress on road works to the trailheads and when On The Track Lodge re-opens for the summer.  

• Queen Charlotte Track: road access to many places in the Marlborough Sounds remains closed but the main road (SH6) from Nelson to Picton (the main departure point for the Queen Charlotte Track) is now open; road access from the Anakiwa end of the track remains closed but water taxi transfers are operating as normal. Two sections of track (one in Endeavour Inlet and the other between Black Rock and Torea Saddle) remain closed, which affects the second and third days of walking on our Queen Charlotte trips. We have local advice that track work is progressing well and expect these sections to be open in time for our first departure on 14 September. The Portage Hotel will be closed until 15 October and Lochmara Lodge will be used instead for affected bookings (additional cost applies).

Update on the Queen Charlotte Track: slips and storm damage have temporarily closed two sections of track (one in Endeavour Inlet and the other between Black Rock and Torea Saddle). This affects the second and third days of walking on GWNZ’s Queen Charlotte trips. Crews are working to clear these as soon as possible and updates will be provided to affected clients next week.

New Zealand’s borders are now fully open to visitors from anywhere in the world. Most visitors require vaccination against Covid19. There are different requirements to enter the country via land and via the sea. See here for more information.

It remains a requirement for all travellers on Great Walks of New Zealand trips to be fully vaccinated against Covid19 to help create the safest possible environment for you, your co-travellers and our local staff. Many of our local partners also still have this requirement in place.

Due to a major storm event in the west and north of the South Island from 17 – 21 August, there has been severe damage to roads and walking tracks in the regions. The following track status applies at 24 August:

• Paparoa Track: no access to the Smokeho carpark / trailhead from Blackball due to a slip that has closed the road; track itself open
• Old Ghost Road: track and access to trailheads all ok
• Heaphy Track: track remains partially closed from February storm damage; through walks not possible; slips on open sections of track have resulted in steep dropp-offs in some places with care needed when passing; partial local road closures and roadworks may slow access to the Brown Hut trailhead
• Abel Tasman Track: many sections of the track are temporarily closed at present while small slips and tree-fall are cleared; it is expected the track will be fully open within a few days; local road closures between Nelson and Kaiteriteri may slow road travel; boat access to all parts of the track is possible; travel between Picton and Nelson is currently not possible by road due to both main access roads closed by slips
• Nydia Track: there is currently no road access to either trailhead on the Nydia Track; we are awaiting information on the status of the track itself
• Queen Charlotte Track: there is currently no road access to anywhere in the Marlborough Sounds, including the Anakiwa trailhead on the Queen Charlotte Track; we are awaiting further information on the status of the track itself; boat access to all parts of the track is possible

Work crews on both major roads and these walking tracks are working as fast as possible to fully assess damage and carry out repairs. Further updates will be provided next week. All travellers on September departures have been notified of possible contingency plans although we do expect the relevant trips will be fully operational by that time. Our thoughts and best wishes go to everyone in the affected areas, particularly the Nelson-Tasman and Marlborough districts, as recovery efforts take place.

It is no longer necessary for travellers to New Zealand to take a pre-departure Covid 19 test to enter the country. However, most travellers need to be vaccinated, must take two RAT’s (Rapid Antigen Tests) after arrival and must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. More information can be found here.

Full covid vaccination is still a requirement to travel on a Great Walks of New Zealand trip.

The Heaphy Track status for through walks remains per the below update.  

All of New Zealand is currently at the Orange Traffic Light Level in regards to Covid-19. This means you must wear a face mask at indoor venues, on public transport, in taxis, at airports and train or bus stations and on domestic flights. Some businesses may apply their own rules in respect to face masks. There are no limits to travel within the country and it is business as usual. You can find more information here .

Only certain categories of traveller can enter New Zealand prior to 31 July 2022, after which time all tourists and visa holders will be allowed to enter. Most travellers must be vaccinated. See  here for details. 

All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, are required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test prior to arrival and must also take Rapid Antigen Tests (self-tests) on arrival. This applies until 31 July 2022 but may be removed sooner. Check  Pre-departure tests to enter New Zealand    for latest information. 

All Great Walks of New Zealand trips are operational. The Heaphy Track  is provisionally scheduled to re-open for through walks by 1 May 2023. This may be brought forward depending on track repair progress. An out-and-back walk is available to book (from the Brown Hut end) in the interim. 

At the RED setting, the following applies:

• There are no limits for outdoor activities, such as gatherings and events, and food and drink businesses.
• There is a 200-person limit for indoor gatherings and events.
• There is no requirement to use My Vaccine Pass.
• You do not need to wear a face mask outdoors.
• Other face mask rules remain unchanged — face masks are still required in most indoor settings.
• There is no requirement to scan in or for a business to display a QR code poster or have mandatory record keeping.

Some important dates regarding international travel to New Zealand are imminent:

• From 11:59pm 12 April 2022, vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents can enter New Zealand and self-test on arrival.
• From 11:59pm 1 May 2022, vaccinated visitors from visa waiver countries, and visitors from other countries who already hold a valid visitor visa can enter New Zealand and self-test on arrival.

 Eligible travellers arriving in New Zealand must provide a negative covid-19 pre-departure test, meet vaccination requirements (unless you are a New Zealand citizen) and take 2 Rapid Antigen Tests on arrival (on Days 1 and 5). Check this link for pre-departure and arrival requirements: Travel to New Zealand with self-testing on arrival

It is expected that all visa categories will re-open from October 2022 for travellers meeting vaccination requirements. Check covid19.govt.nz for more information.

All Great Walks of New Zealand trips are operational (with the exception of the Heaphy Track, which remains closed to through walkers while major storm damage is repaired) and we are looking forward to assisting with your travel plans.

Due to recent storm events there has been extensive damage to three bridges on the Heaphy Track between Heaphy Hut and James Mackay Hut. As a result the track has been closed between these two huts and is unlikely to re-open in the near future. Through walks on the Heaphy Track will not be possible until further notice. However, “out and back” walks are possible from the Golden Bay/Nelson end of the track between Brown Hut and James Mackay Hut as this part of the track is in good condition. We are working on a modified 4 night itinerary which will be available for booking shortly.

The Old Ghost Road is open, with walkers advised to proceed with caution as a result of windfall and slippage on the track in many places.

The whole of New Zealand is operating under the RED Traffic Light category until further notice, to help protect vulnerable communities and our health system from the spread of Covid variants in the community. At Red Level, if you are fully vaccinated:

• Accommodation can open. There are no capacity limits.
• DOC huts, campgrounds, toilets and visitor centres can open 
• You can travel around New Zealand
• Hospitality venues, such as cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs can open, with My Vaccine Pass and restrictions such as physical distancing and capacity limits. 
• Mask wearing in public venues, on flights and public transport, in taxis, and in retail stores is compulsory
• QR Code scanning applies

For more information visit https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/life-at-red/

All Great Walks of New Zealand trips are operational at Red Level, given all our staff and those of our local partners, and our travellers, are required to be fully vaccinated.

PLEASE NOTE: if you contract the virus or need to self-isolate immediately prior to travel or while you are travelling, you will not be allowed on the trip.  Our regular Terms and Conditions apply in those instances as we do not cover cancellation due to contracting covid or needing to self-isolate. We do strongly recommend travel insurance, including domestic travel insurance for those living in New Zealand.

Strict entry requirements still apply to international visitors entering New Zealand, including full vaccination, negative COVID-19 tests and managed isolation in quarantine facilities. It is expected that fully vaccinated foreign nationals, including Australians, will have access to New Zealand after 30 April 2022, without any quarantine requirements on arrival but this is subject to review. For more information visit  Travel to New Zealand. Travellers with bookings prior to this date can transfer their trip to a later date (some date restrictions and penalties may apply).