What we’re about
"Hiking Aotearoa" is for people who love the outdoors. We go hiking, walking, mountaineering, camping, skiing, kayaking, rafting and rock climbing etc. We love meeting new people so come join us in the great outdoors of New Zealand (Aotearoa).
The majority of our events are day hikes in bush (forest), parks, streams, urban walks and along the coast in the Auckland region. We also venture further afield on weekend camping or lodge trips, especially in summer, and also we have multi-day hikes through out New Zealand (Aotearoa).
Our hikes vary in difficulty, some do not require any previous experience, some are more challenging. You can learn all about climbing/alpine activities with our experienced organisers. This is a great opportunity to see/photograph some of the most amazing landscapes New Zealand (Aoteaora) has to offer.
Safety of the group is of utmost importance to us. All our organisers have many years of experience and carry walkie talkies and a PLB where necessary. Of course with nature, conditions can change quickly, and you must come prepared and always follow the organisers instructions.
If you wish to make a donation 06-0145-0782760-00
Follow us on Instagram: Hiking Aotearoa Instagram
"Hiking Aotearoa" is a great way to see one of the world's best cities/countries. We look forward to meeting you.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 📌Waihi Beach (2 nights)Sea Esta Camp & Lodge, Waihi BeachA$108.00
On the 13-15th of Dec (Fri, Sat and Sun) we are going to complete 2 different hikes, which are both in the Waihi Beach area.
The Saturday hike is to Matakana island, which is mainly a sand island with a large forest plantation. The plan is to hike around some of the coast around the northern end of the island. Our charter boat leaves and returns and Anzac bay at Bowentown. We plan to stop for a swim along the way.On Sunday we will drive to Waitekauri and hike to the Jubilee mine which is a loop, and is about 7km. We will check out some of the old mine workings on the way.
We plan to arrive on Friday afternoon/evening, so it possible not take Friday off work. We will stay at Sea Esta Camp at Waihi Beach on Friday and Saturday nights. Regulars get priority to join, however newcomers are welcome.
🚩Summary of details:
📌Duration: Whole trip is 2½ days
📌Saturday : Matakana island coast
5.0 hrs (13km)
📌Sunday : Jubilee mine loop
3.5 hrs (7km)
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale,
3.5 Sat
3.0 Sun🚩Maps
📌Friday hike: https://tinyurl.com/49rbfcyz (optional)
📌Saturday hike : https://tinyurl.com/5ydnfmzy
📌Sunday hike: https://tinyurl.com/3k9ws7f8🚩Transport: Drivers & passengers will need to coordinate pick up time and place on Friday. You can arrive anytime you want on Friday, the earliest you can check in is 14:00 at the lodge, and please do not turn up after 20:30. Closer to the time, I will post in the comments, passenger/driver locations. Passengers to give $35 to their driver. Bring plastic bags and or change of shoes, in case you have muddy clothing/shoes otherwise you could soil someones car.
🚩 5 important stopping points:
👉1) Sea Esta Camp & Lodge, 48 Seaforth Rd, Waihi Beach
(Where we stay on Fri & Sat nights)
https://bit.ly/3nNLsVR👉2) Anzac Bay Reserve Rd, Bowentown
(Where we take boat trip to Matakana island)
https://tinyurl.com/ym4jv28m👉3) Bowentown Boating Club, Pio Rd, Bowentown
(After hike drinks at Bowentown Boating club) TBC!
https://tinyurl.com/5aysne3f👉3) Waihi Beach RSA, 99 Beach Rd,
(Where we have optional dinner-Sat night)
https://bit.ly/3MzTCLf👉4) 408 Waitekauri Rd.
(Where we start & finish the Sunday hike)
http://bitly.ws/Dqtz👉5) One3one, 131 Normanby Rd, Paeroa
(Where we have optional after hike snacks and drinks)
http://bitly.ws/DtpD🚩Time Guideline:
📌 Friday: Arrive at lodge anytime between 14:00 and not later than 20:30. Arrival is up to you, and no activities are planned on Friday.However if there are enough people available in the afternoon (possibly at 3pm), then we could hike the Waihi Beach Trig and forest loop, which takes 2 hours and is 6.6km. This track has been recently re opened.
📌Saturday:
05:49 Sunrise (14th Dec)
08:00 Leave Sea Esta and drive to Anzac Bay car park
08:10 Arrive at Anzac Bay
08:25 Start Shuttle to Matakana island
09:00 All at Matakana island and start hike
12:28 Low tide (14th Dec)
13:30 Approx finish hike
14:00 Back at Anzac Bay
14:15 Stop by for drinks and snacks at Bowentown Boating club
18:30 Shared dinner Sea Esta
20:32 Sunset📌Sunday:
05:50 Sunrise
08:30 Pack & clean lodge. Drive to Waitekauri
09:00 Arrive at hike start
09:15 Start hike
12:45 Approx finish hike
13:05 Drinks and snacks at One3one in Paeroa
14:15 Approx drive back to Auckland
16:15 Approx arrive in Auckland
20:32 Sunset🚩Accommodation:
2 nights at Sea Esta Camp & Lodge, 48 Seaforth Rd, Waihi Beach. Accommodation is in bunk rooms, and these are spread out over 12 rooms, with bunks and some single beds. You will need to bring your own pillow, bottom sheet and sleeping bag. The cost per night is $96, for 2 nights. More details: Sea Esta Camp & Lodge https://www.seaestacamp.com/about-us🚩Check list of Gear: https://bit.ly/3nOoApa
🚩Costs:
$35 if car pool passenger (based 2 passengers at 10c/km)
$96 for 2 nights accommodation
$12 for short boat charter to & from Matakana island
$143 Total (more if buying food & drinks)🚩 Payment: You will need make payment of $108 for Accommodation & boat charter. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Please write "WaihiBeach" and your reference name that is the same as your "Meetup name", so I can identify you. Payment is due by the 26th Nov.
🍔🍗🍷 Saturday night: Communal shared dinner Saturday night at Sea Esta. Please bring a plate of food for sharing with everyone else. Thank you 👌
🚩Please answer the 4 RSVP questions:
https://tinyurl.com/2j2u3sf6 - 📌Base Camp Nelson Lakes 2025 (8 nights)Air New Zealand Auckland Airport Regional Lounge, AucklandA$380.00
Welcome to Base Camp Nelson Lakes 2025. This is our 8th yearly extended multi day Base camp trip to the South island on Meetup, and this is an invite to join this nine day trip for hikes/climbs in and around Nelson Lakes.
Between the dates of 25th of January and the 2nd of February 2025, we are going hiking in and around Nelson Lakes, at the South island. This year we fly to Nelson, then hire two vans. From there this year we travel nearly one and half hours south to Rotoiti lodge at St Arnaud, which is an Outdoor Education Centre. We will base ourselves at this location, to hike mainly in the magnificent Nelson Lakes National Park. Our group will be split into two for most of the time there, so those who prefer a challenging multi day hike can take on the Sabine and Durville valleys with two passes to cross at the southern end. If you prefer the less strenuous option then you can choose the spectacular Robert Ridge - Travers and Sabine valleys 3 night option. The rest of the time at St Arnaud, will consist of day trips, and a group day trip to Blenheim. As in previous years, we plan to hold a 'Farewell dinner' on our last night.
We will need to carefully consider who joins this event, as it is important for everyone’s safety, enjoyment and convenience. We are looking for people who are fit, team players, experienced, considerate of others, and with minimal need for guidance. As Sabine - Durville valleys is a 4 night over night trip with difficult terrain, then we will need to be selective about who takes part in this option. For those who prefer the less demanding option, there is the Robert ridge-Travers-Sabine which is 3 nights.
Regulars get priority over those who those who seldom join Hiking Aotearoa events. You can put your name on the waiting list for consideration, however there is no guarantee that you will join the 'going list', even if you are at the top of the waiting list. Some of the details are still being fine tuned, so more information is coming.
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🚩 (Hard group - Option 1)
Day 1: In and around St Arnaud (everyone) https://tinyurl.com/yrc64y37
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Sabine - Durville via Waiau pass - Multiday https://tinyurl.com/3t4avey2
Day 2: Lodge to Rotoroa to Sabine west hut
Day 3: Sabine West hut to Lake Thompson
Day 4: Lake Thompson to George Lyon Hut
Day 5: George Lyon Hut to Morgan hut
Day 6: Morgan hut to Rotoroa then lodge
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Day 7: Drive near Blenheim - Day hike (everyone)
a) Mt Tokomaru/Robertson track https://tinyurl.com/bddkwfsp or
b) Mt Robertson or Loop track https://tinyurl.com/mwm36xf5
c) Whites Bay (swim) https://tinyurl.com/mtckpt6n
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Day 8: Circuit of Lake Rotoiti Day hike https://tinyurl.com/47wnnf4w
Day 9: Depart back to Auckland🚩 (Less Hard group - Option 2)
Day 1: In and around St Arnaud (everyone) https://tinyurl.com/yrc64y37
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Robert ridge-Travers-Sabine Multiday https://tinyurl.com/42k7j6b6
Day 2: Lodge to Angelus hut
Day 3 Angelus hut to John Tait hut
Day 4 John Tait hut to West Sabine hut
Day 5 West Sabine hut to Rotoroa then lodge
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Day 6: St Arnaud range track - Day hike https://tinyurl.com/2jfbb5nr
Day 7: Drive near Blenheim - Day hike (everyone)
a) Black Jack & Monkey Bay tracks https://tinyurl.com/5ymez5wt
b) Whites Bay (swim) https://tinyurl.com/mtckpt6n
Day 8: Coldwater hut to Lodge - Day hike https://tinyurl.com/249fhr9v
Day 9: Depart back to Auckland
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📌 For more Details: https://tinyurl.com/mr2b928z
📌 Detailed Timetable: https://tinyurl.com/3ms7uzp5
📌 Gear check list: https://tinyurl.com/2te3r74b
📌 RSVP Questions: https://tinyurl.com/y82k5hr3 - 📌Te Akau Limestone Coast - Part 2 (2 nights)231 Te Akau Coast Road, Te ĀkauA$70.00
On the 21st - 23rd Feb, we have a 2 night trip to the remote Te Akau coastline, which features limestone in some parts, sand dunes & coastal cliffs. Last year we hike the coast line north of the Bach, however this time we will explore the coastal area south, towards Raglan harbour. We again base ourselves in the remote coastal Bach for 2 nights. There are a limited number of beds, but there is some room for camping outside. Regulars get priority to join.
As we had done last time, we plan to have a shared barbeque at the Bach on Friday evening, so please bring a 'plate' to share. If there is enough food left over we could have another shared barbeque on Saturday evening.
🚩 Summary of details:
📌 Duration: 2 nights
📌 Friday : No activities are planned
📌 Saturday : 19.2km (about 8-9 hrs)
📌 Map: https://tinyurl.com/2rk5jfb8
📌 Sunday : 5.2km (about 1.5 hrs)
📌 Map: https://tinyurl.com/7v3be5e6
📌 Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale, about 3.5
📌 Max number : 22 pax🚩The 6 important stopping points.:
👉1) Where drivers turn off rd to get to "Off the Grid" Bach
231 Te Akau Coast Rd, Te Akau (street view: https://tinyurl.com/mpssdndp )
https://tinyurl.com/zuxs7e8y👉2) "Off The Grid" Bach
(Where we stay Fri & Sat nights)
https://tinyurl.com/5n7dzdbk (Location is not available on Google maps)👉3) 10B Ryan Road, Te Akau (Horongorara point)
(Where we start Saturday's hike)
https://tinyurl.com/5n7bm6a6👉4) 95-65 Lorenzen Bay Road, Raglan
(Where we start Sunday's hike)
https://tinyurl.com/4b6w9byw👉5) Public Toilets, 75 Riria Kereopa Memorial Dr, Raglan
(Where we finish Sunday's hike)
https://tinyurl.com/y8eskmjy👉6) Raglan Harbour View Hotel, Raglan
(Where we have optional after hike lunch)
https://tinyurl.com/mxtf569h❌❗ Please be aware car shuttle drivers are critical to make this event work. For Saturday's hike, about 5 cars will take everyone to the start of the hike at Ryan Road, Te Akau, on Saturday morning. When we get back to the Bach two cars will then need take the drivers back to the start to retrieve the cars. To get there and back will take about 1 hour & 40 min.
Assuming that 7 drivers will take part in this Shuttle, then to be fair on them they will be compensated, with $20 each, from the group. This will contributed by everyone in the event.🚩Accommodation:
📌Accommodation details: https://tinyurl.com/4z49f9ar
📌More info: https://offthegrid.nz/our-place/
📌Getting to the Bach: https://tinyurl.com/5n7dzdbk❌❗ As with any communal sleeping event, please be considerate of others, who would like to sleep early or wake later, by keeping noise to a minimum. Thank you 👍
🚩Time line (guide only)
📌Friday:
10:33 Low tide
13:00 Earliest time to arrive at Bach. Set up tents etc - No activities are planned for Friday
18:30 Group barbeque on deck
20:00 Latest time to arrive
20:19 Sunset📌Saturday:
06:50 Sunrise
08:00 Leave Bach drive to start
08:55 Arrive at Lorenzen Bay Rd, Raglan
09:10 Start hike
11:49 Low tide (22nd Feb)
17:15 Finish hike at Bach
17:00 Shuttle drivers retrieve cars at start
18:00 Shuttle arrive back at Bach
20:20 Sunset📌Sunday:
06:58 Sunrise
09:00 Leave Bach, drive to Raglan
10:05 Arrive at Raglan & arrange car shuttle
10:30 All cars at hike start
10:35 Start hike
12:00 Finish hike & drive to Raglan Harbour view Hotel for lunch
13:13 Low tide (23rd Feb)
13:30 Approx finish lunch and drive back to Auckland
16:00 Approx back in Auckland🚩 Check list of items to bring: https://tinyurl.com/nhfrprsm
🚩 Metvuw rain forecast : https://tinyurl.com/4bdbvb4j🚩 Costs:
$40 to your driver - if a carpool passenger (based on 10c/km with 2 passengers)
$5 for shuttle (To Shuttle drivers)
$70,$54 or $44 for 2 night stay (TBC soon)
$100, $84 or $74 Total (TBC soon)🚩 Payment: You will need make payment of xxx (TBC soon) by 5th Feb. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Please write your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name, so I can identify you. Please also write 'TeAkau' as a reference.
🥂🍔🍗 On Sunday we have optional lunch in Raglan after the hike.
Location : Raglan Harbour View Hotel, 14 Bow St
Menu : https://tinyurl.com/yx8rndbfRSVP Questions: https://tinyurl.com/2z6kkpa6
Thanks 😊
RussellNot open
