Paparoa Track Details | Hiking New Zealand (HikingNZ)

Tour Details

Start

9.00am, Tarapuhi Street Greymouth

Finish

2.30pm, Punakaiki or 3.15pm, Greymouth

DEPARTURE DATES

2, 13, 22, 29 November 2026
4, 14 January 2027
1, 3, 8 February 2027
24, 29 March 2027
7, 8, 14 April 2027
13, 14, 19 December 2027

Prices

Period 1 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2027
Adult NZD $2,179.00

Days

4 days

Fitness grade

Grade: C
(Up to 8 hrs of physical activity per day)

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Minimum recommended age: 12 years
Children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult

Maximum group size: 5 people

Private departures available

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Grading & Fitness

How fit to I need to be to hike the Paparoa Track?

Up to 8 hours hiking per day
Pack weights of 8-10kgs (17-22 lbs) on some days
Altitude gains of up to 800m (2600ft)
Some uneven, steep and muddy track surfaces
No multi-day hiking experience necessary
Reasonable agility and fitness required
No technical hiking experience required

Inclusions and Additional Costs

What is included in the price of the Paparoa Track?

The price includes all food, hut passes, some complimentary equipment and transport to the track.

What additional costs can I expect on the Paparoa Track?

There are no additional costs.

Accommodation

What accommodation is used on the Paparoa Track?

There are no private huts on the Paparoa Track, we will stay in the large well maintained Department of Conservation (DoC) huts with comfortable bunks and heating. There are no shower facilities.

Transport

What Transport is included in the Paparoa Track trip?

Transport to and from the track, including shuttles from Greymouth.

Packing List

What should I pack for the Paparoa Track?

Essential items:

Good quality waterproof rain jacket
1 pair of hiking boots/running shoes
1 pair of lightweight footwear for evenings
1 pair light trousers for evenings
1 pair walking shorts
1 or 2 t-shirts/shirts for walking in
1 woollen jersey or polar fleece
1 down/lightweight puffer jacket
1 spare shirt for evening
3 pairs walking socks
Spare underwear
Warm gloves
Warm hat
Sleeping bag
Sunhat
40-50L backpack

Available of needed

Sleeping bag
40-50L backpack
Hiking poles

Optional

Personal snacks (homemade scroggin provided)
Rain/weatherproof pants
Swimming togs & micro-fibre towel
Charging cord (USB charging facilities at accommodation)
Gratuity for guide

Food

All meals, freshly prepared and carried by the guide, including hearty breakfasts, packed lunches, delicious dinners, and snacks.

All meals from lunch on Day One until lunch on Day Four are included in your trip price.

Homemade hearty dinner on the Paparoa Track

Guides

Hike with the expertise and support of a local, knowledgeable, and qualified guide who not only ensures your safety and comfort but also enriches your experience with insights into the flora, fauna, and history of the area.

Their personalised care includes consideration of group members’ abilities and pacing, and encouragement throughout the journey—making the walk accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I carry my own gear?

Yes. You will need to carry your own clothing and personal items. Your guide will help keep pack weight as light as possible by providing quality lightweight equipment and carefully planned fresh meals.

Is previous hiking experience necessary?

No. A reasonable level of fitness is more important than hiking experience.

What happens if weather affects the trip?

Safety always comes first. Our guides may alter itineraries or cancel departures if conditions become unsafe or high winds close the Paparoa Track between Ces Clark and Pororari Hut.

How can I get to Greymouth?

There are a few options for transport around the area. If you're part of a group, your best option would be to fly in Hokitika
with Air New Zealand and Go Tracks offers airport shuttles to your accommodation in Greymouth. If travelling by yourself or with another guest, the more cost-effective method would be to fly into Christchurch, East West Coaches does daily transfers over Arthur’s Pass direct into Greymouth.

Can I store my vehicle if I am driving?

Secure vehicle storage is available with Paparoa Shuttles for the duration of your time on the Paparoa Track for the cost
of $10 per vehicle per day. Payment can be made at the Greymouth guide offices the morning of departure by either cash or card.

Can I store my luggage while I'm hiking?

If you have luggage to store while you’re on the track, this can be safely kept in the guide offices for no cost.

Can I stay on in Punakaiki after the hike?

If you would like to stay the night in Punakaiki at the end of the track (highly recommended), there is the option to have your vehicle relocated from Greymouth to Punakaiki by Go Tracks. For prices and booking, visit their website.
There are multiple accommodation options in Punakaiki - we're happy to offer suggestions!

Booking Conditions

What are the booking terms and conditions for the Paparoa Track?

Prices and itineraries are subject to change. If a departure is cancelled due to weather, safety, minimum numbers or unforeseen circumstances:

• All monies paid by the agent will be refunded in full, or
• Transferred to another departure date by mutual agreement.

The guide is not responsible for guests' additional travel costs or consequential losses.

Payment:
For bookings made four or more months prior to the departure date, a 25% deposit is required, with the remainder due 95 days before your trip. For bookings made within four months of the departure date, full payment is required at the time of booking.

Cancellations:

More than 30 days prior to departure: deposit forfeited and no further payment due.
30 days or less prior to departure: deposit forfeited and remaining balance only payable if the departure proceeds with an unsold vacancy.

The tour price is all-inclusive. There will be no partial refunds or credits for unused services within a tour. Any unpaid, forfeited amount may be pursued as a debt.

Travel Insurance

Do I need travel insurance for Paparoa Track?

We strongly recommend clients take out a comprehensive travel insurance.

Paparoa Track