Over 20 percent of New Zealand is covered in national parks, forest areas and reserves. Our 14 national parks contain an amazing variety of unspoiled landscape and vegetation.
Stray stay in, or right next to, no fewer than 9 national parks...
Tongariro National Park
Lonely Planet rates the Tongariro Alpine Crossing walk as one of the best day walks in the world. We stay in the National Park (so you can access the walk without having to buy an ‘add on’). This is a dual world heritage area and in winter it’s home to New Zealand’s largest ski area so you can hit the snow with views of Mt Doom and Mordor.
Abel Tasman National Park
Walks, Sailing and Kayaking. This area is famous for its coastal walks, golden sand beaches and sunshine. We stay right beside the park in our exclusive accommodation so that you have the best possible access.
Paparoa National Park
On the wild West Coast this area includes the celebrated Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. A popular hike is the Croesus Track, which starts (or finishes) directly across the road from where we stop and there is access to many other walks.
Westland National Park
There are glaciers, scenic lakes and dense rainforest throughout this area. We stay two nights in the park in Franz Josef and there are some great alternatives for viewing the glacier from a guided hike to helihike!
Fiordland National Park
This is the largest national park in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world. We uniquely stay in historic miners cabins at Gunn's Camp to easily access the Holyford Track and Milford Sound to see the grandeur of its scenery with its deep fiords, mountains and waterfalls.
Rakiura National Park
National parkland makes up about 95% of the whole land area of Stewart Island and it is an amazing sanctuary for NZ’s native birdlife. We have an optional night stay on Stewart Island, which enables you to access the many great tracks.
Wanganui National Park
Located in the central North Island, the park was created to protect the upper reaches of the Whanganui River. Once an important transport route for both Maori and early European settlers, the river flows from Tongariro National Park to the Tasman sea through wild lowland forests.
Te Urewera National Park
Remote, rugged, immense, Te Urewera is famous for its lakes and forested beauty as well as its stormy history. As much of the park is remote and not easily accessible this has helped protect much of the park's native wildlife. Te Urewera is unique in that it contains a full complement of North Island native forest birds (except weka).
Mt Cook National Park
Located in the South Island and home to New Zealand's tallest mountain Mt Cook, aka Aoraki - Maori for "cloud-piercer". The sky over the Mackenzie District closeby is the southern hemisphere's first dark sky reserve, and the world's biggest.