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Q: Which companies offer gear rental for New Zealand’s top hiking trails?

PAST Outdoors Gear Hire is an option for hikers looking to travel light. We offer a select range of high quality equipment so you can hit the trail without the hassle of transporting your own gear, if you'd prefer. We have limited gear hire and will contact you upon your booking to talk through our gear list and items you might need.

Elite Hikes New Zealand

Experience the beauty of New Zealand with expert, local guides

PAST Outdoors Experiences

The Best Hiking in New Zealand, Planned for You

Kia Ora. New Zealand's trails are calling and we know exactly where they lead.

At PAST Outdoors, we take you beyond the lookout points and tourist stops, deep into the alpine landscapes that make this country one of the world's great hiking destinations. Our guided multi-day hikes are designed for people who want to genuinely experience New Zealand, not just pass through it.

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PAST Outdoors Hiking New Zealand

Why Choose a Guided Hike in New Zealand?

New Zealand has over 14,000 kilometres of marked trails. Choosing where to go, how to prepare, what to carry and where to sleep is a lot to figure out.

That's where we come in.

A PAST Outdoors guided hike takes all of the logistical complexity off your plate. You show up ready to hike, and we handle everything else.

Our guides have spent years on these tracks. They know the hidden viewpoints, the weather patterns, the stories behind the landscape, and exactly when to stop so you can take it all in.

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Eite Hikes New Zealand

When is the best time to visit New Zealand for hiking?

New Zealand's South Island offers remarkable hiking across all four seasons, each with its own character.

Summer (December–February) brings long days, reliable weather and the best conditions on the high alpine routes. Book well in advance, these departures fill early.

Autumn (March–May) is our guides' favourite time on the trail. The beech forests turn gold, the crowds thin out and the light takes on a quality that makes every view look like a photograph. Temperatures remain ideal for multi-day hiking.

Spring (September–November) delivers wildflowers, fewer fellow walkers and a freshness to the landscape that's hard to describe until you've experienced it.

Winter (June–August) is for those who want the mountains in a quieter, more dramatic mood. Selected routes operate year-round — contact us to find out what's available.

PAST Outdoors New Zealand tour guides

What's included in every guided hike

Nutritious food

Hiking burns energy, and great food is part of what makes a multi-day adventure genuinely enjoyable. Every meal is prepared with care — filling, flavourful and designed to fuel the day ahead. Dietary requirements are accommodated with advance notice.

Accommodation

Each night is spent in comfortable hut or campsite positioned beautifully within the landscape. After a full day on the track, there's real satisfaction in arriving somewhere warm, welcoming and well-earned. Tents are provided.

All logistics handled for you

Transfers to and from the trailhead, gear advice, route planning, permits and contingency management are all taken care of. You just need to show up with your pack and your appetite for adventure.

BOOK NOW: Next available dates

Elite Hikes New Zealand

Choose from a range of upcoming dates. Please ensure you book your hike well in advance (we recommend between 1-2 months ahead of the hike date to ensure we have sufficient numbers. There are no refunds, so please choose carefully.

female hiker standing by a lake with snow-capped mountains in the background in New Zealand South Island

Two hikers with backpacks on a mountain peak hiking new zealand under a blue sky with clouds.

Male hiking in New Zealand South Island with backpack and trekking poles as a tour guide.

You're in safe hands with our expert guides

Meet Seth

Seth has spent many years on South Island's most celebrated alpine routes. His knowledge of the local ecology, geology and history of the land transforms a great walk into a genuine education — delivered with the kind of easy, unhurried storytelling that makes kilometres disappear.

Man with a large backpack and hiking poles standing in a grassy field with mountains in the background hiking in New Zealand

Our New Zealand guides are second to none

Meet Dave

Dave, Founder and CEO of PAST Outdoors brings his background in Australian Special Operations and years of experience on the trail. His passion for the outdoors extends far beyond guiding, and he is your go-to man for all things safety and kit related.

Together, they not only know the best places to hike, but you can be rest assured that you're in safe hands should anything go wrong.

Safety Tips and Trail Etiquette

New Zealand Multi-day Hiking Safety Tips

New Zealand has long held a near-mythical status among the world's hiking community — and for good reason. Whether you're a seasoned trekker looking for a technical challenge in the Southern Alps or a first-timer wanting a well-maintained walk with jaw-dropping scenery at every turn, New Zealand delivers.

The South Island in particular is home to some of the world's most celebrated multi-day hikes, where each morning brings a new landscape and the sense of genuine wilderness is never far away.

On a guided hike with PAST Outdoors, all of that wonder comes without the logistical headache — your route, gear, accommodation and expert local knowledge are taken care of, so you can simply focus on the trail ahead.

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Recent Reviews

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I had the best time!

"I'd never done anything longer than a day walk before and I was convinced I'd be the slowest one in the group. Dave and Seth had this easy way of making everyone feel capable from day one — the right encouragement at the right moment, a pace that let you find your feet without ever feeling like a burden. I'm already trying to figure out when I can get back."

— Jesse, 26, Melbourne

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Do it, Book now!

"A guided hike with PAST Outdoors was the first time in years I got to just walk — and what a place to do it. The guiding was exceptional and I don't offer that lightly given what I do. Seth reads terrain the way I'd hope my own students would after years of practice, and the route choices he made across four days were quietly masterful. If you're an experienced hiker on the fence about whether a guided trip is 'for you' — hand the map over, trust the guides and look up more than you usually do. It was four of the best days I've had on a trail in twenty years."

— Clancy, 48, Land Navigation Instructor & Mountaineer

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book multi-day hiking packages for New Zealand's ultimate trails online?

Yes! You can browse and book our multi-day hiking packages for New Zealand's ultimate trails directly online (scroll up for available dates). Our online booking system makes it easy to secure your spot and choose your dates.

Our packages are designed to take the stress out of the logistics so you can focus on the adventure ahead.

We recommend booking early, particularly for the peak summer season (November–April), as places on our trails fill up fast.

Do I need to be an experienced hiker to join a guided hike?

Not at all. Our guided hikes are designed for everyone including beginners (with a high level of fitness) to intermediate hikers. When you book, we'll help you choose a route that matches your experience and fitness so you can enjoy every step with confidence.

What's included in a PAST Outdoors guided hike?

Everything you need for a seamless adventure — experienced local guides, accommodation along the trail, all meals, and quality gear support. All you need to bring is yourself, your gear and to be ready for an adventure like no other!

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking at least 2 months ahead, especially for summer departures (December–February) when our most popular routes fill quickly. For the best availability across all seasons, booking 1-2 months out gives you the most options.

What time of year do you run guided hikes in New Zealand?

We run departures across all four seasons, each offering a different experience on the trail. May and September are our most popular periods.

How long are your guided hike itineraries?

Our guided hikes run from 5 days and 4 nights, through to 3 days and 2 nights, giving you a well-rounded wilderness experience without overcommitting your schedule. Each day typically involves 5–7 hours of hiking, with plenty of time built in for rest, wildlife spotting and soaking in the scenery. Nights are spent at carefully selected campsites or huts where your guide will handle camp setup and we all prepare evening meals together.

Which companies offer gear rental for New Zealand’s top hiking trails?

PAST Outdoors Gear Hire is an option for hikers looking to travel light. We offer a select range of high quality equipment so you can hit the trail without the hassle of transporting your own gear, if you'd prefer. We have limited gear hire and will contact you upon your booking to talk through our gear list and items you might need.

PAST Outdoors New Zealand Hikes

Small group sizes

PAST Outdoors New Zealand Hikes

Take a breathe of fresh air

PAST Outdoors New Zealand Hikes

Experience nature untouched

PAST Outdoors New Zealand Hikes

Experience the breathtaking views

Download a brochure

FREE Elite Hikes New Zealand PDF Download

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Discover some of the most remote and spectacular alpine hiking experiences in New Zealand’s South Island with this FREE Elite Hikes New Zealand PDF Guide.

Created by PAST Outdoors Experiences, this downloadable guide showcases three unforgettable multi-day hiking adventures through Arthur’s Pass National Park, Lewis Pass, and Nelson Lakes National Park. Whether you’re researching your next wilderness trek or dreaming about South Island alpine traverses, this PDF provides a brief introduction to our authentic backcountry hiking experiences in New Zealand.

This free brochure PDF is perfect for:

Beginners who are physically fit and active and are looking for a new experience
Intermediate hikers researching alpine traverses
Outdoor enthusiasts seeking remote New Zealand hiking inspiration
Adventure travellers planning South Island New Zealand hikes
Anyone interested in New Zealand ultimate hikes and wilderness trekking

Download your FREE Elite Hikes New Zealand PDF today and explore some of the South Island’s most breathtaking alpine hiking experiences.

Simply add to cart, checkout and your PDF will be sent directly to you.

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