NZ’s Milford Track books out in record time – these hikes are just as epic

This hike is harder to lock down than Taylor Swift concert tickets – but don’t worry, New Zealand is still full of breathtaking alternatives.

New Zealand’s backcountry is a paradise for hikers, with 11 official Great Walks that rank among the most spectacular treks in the world. But the most sought-after has to be the four-day, 53.5-kilometre Milford Track that steers walkers through ancient rainforests and alpine passes and ends at the mystical fjords of Milford Sound.

But if you had your sights set on hiking it this season, bad news: bookings sold out in under 30 minutes.

The day bookings for the season went on sale, there were 11,800 eager people online in the queue for just 7,100 spots, which sold out after just 2000 bookings (for groups of walkers). And this isn’t the first time there’s been booking chaos. In the last two years, demand was so intense that it crashed the Department of Conservation’s website.

But don’t fear – the Milford Track isn’t the be-all and end-all of having an epic hiking holiday in New Zealand. We’ve got the lowdown on where to hike instead.

Alternative Great Walks in the same region

It goes without saying that New Zealand’s 10 other great walks are just as spectacular. There’s even a brand new one – the Hump Ridge Track – that officially opened last year in Fiordland National Park, a stone’s throw from the Milford Track. This three-day loop steers hikers through sub-alpine tops, lush forests and along sandy beaches teeming with wildlife (there’s even a possibility to see dolphins!)

The Hump Ridge Track is New Zealand’s newest Great Walk.

There are also two other Great Walks in the Fiordland National Park: The Kepler Track and the Routeburn Track. These also get quite busy, but there are more accommodation options as both tracks have a combination of huts and campsites along the way (unlike the Milford Track, where camping is not permitted).

Hike the Milford Track via private lodges with Ultimate Hikes

Ultimate Hikes is the only company to have their own private lodges on the Milford (and Routeburn) tracks. Far from a backcountry hut, Ultimate Hikes’ private lodges are a luxury accommodation alternative that are fully staffed and have the comforts of three-course dinners (and even a glass of wine and beer!). Plus, all your breakfasts are taken care of and fresh ingredients are set out each day to make your own lunch. So, no getting by on days-old squished sandwiches.

The Hollyford Track

Don’t let the lack of Great Walk status fool you: the Hollyford Track is a gorgeous multi-day hike in the same neighbourhood as the Milford Track (Fiordland National Park). Winding through remote valleys, waterfalls, and rainforest, this four-to-eight-day hike (four days one-way or eight return) feels just as cinematic as its more famous sibling but without the hordes of people.

Greenstone and Caples track

Another example of a hike that’s a Great Walk of New Zealand in everything except name. The Greenstone and Caples share part of the trail with the famous Routeburn Track (which is a Great Walk), but it certainly doesn’t share the crowds. Sparkling rivers, subalpine forest and natural splendour, this four-day hike will show you why people come from all around the world just to hike here.

The Greenstone Caples Track is a Great Walk of New Zealand in everything but name. (Image: Getty/EyeEm Mobile GmbH)

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Hiking trails off the beaten path

New Zealand has more than 950 backcountry huts, with over 80 in the Otago region alone (where the Milford Track is located). So there are plenty of alternatives if you can’t snag one of the three on the Milford Track. These huts range from serviced to basic shelters, and many of them don’t need to be booked in advance.

For example, lesser-known Heather Jock Hut is a free hut perched in the mountainsides just outside of Queenstown, making for a pleasant multi-day walk with striking views over the lakes and mountains. Drop into any DOC information centre for up-to-date information about trail conditions and access to some of these lesser-known huts.

Hike during shoulder season

If you’re set on hiking The Milford Track, you can try just before or after the official Great Walk season. This option is recommended for experienced hikers only, as weather can be more variable and risks increase the further out-of-season you are. However, the trails are quieter, there’s more hut availability and the price is significantly cheaper (down from $152 to $30 for international visitors). Just make sure to check with DOC before you go.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.