Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai
https://www.doc.govt.nz/
https://www.doc.govt.nz/
Book online
Introduction
You must book huts and campsites for everyone who is intending to do the walk. This includes those children and young people under 17 years who do not have to pay fees. Find out how.Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts and campsites on the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk. There are no fees for entry into Te Urewera or to complete a day walk on the track.
Tūhoe wardens are stationed at major Great Walk huts during peak season.
Pay your fees by booking the huts and campsites before you start the track.
Hut fees
Prices are per person, per night. NZ rates are for New Zealand visitors and INT rates are for international visitors.
Date range | Adult NZ | Adult INT | Child NZ | Child INT | Infant NZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
All year | $32 | $32 | Free* | Free* | Free* |
*Fees are free but bookings are still required.
Campsite fees
Prices are per person, per night. NZ rates are for New Zealand visitors and INT rates are for international visitors.
Date range | Adult NZ | Adult INT | Child NZ | Child INT | Infant NZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
All year | $14 | $14 | Free* | Free* | Free* |
*Fees are free but bookings are still required.
Bookings
Bookings for the 2025/26 season open at 9.30 am on Tuesday 27 May 2025.
Before you start your Lake Waikaremoana walk, you need to book:
- huts and campsites on the track all year round.
- transport to and from the start and end of the track – the walk is one-way with the ends of the track around 30 km apart.
If you don’t have a valid booking for your stay, you may be charged a penalty, or turned away if the hut/campsite is full.
How to book
Follow this step-by-step process to guide you through booking your Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk.
1. Decide what direction you want to walk the track in
You can go from Onepoto in the south or Hopuruahine in the north.
- Water taxi and shuttle services are available to both ends, but book early.
- If you have your own vehicle, public parking is closest at Onepoto (at the Waikaremoana Holiday Park or Te Urewera Visitor Centre at Te Kura Whenua). See parking information.
- The track goes up to Panekire Hut so this could be tackled at the start or left to the end of your walk.
- If you're not booking in peak times, check the weather forecast and plan to be on the Panekire Range in the best weather - when it's clear, the views are impressive.
2. Decide what huts or campsites you want to stay at.
For the direction you want to walk in, decide what huts or campsites you want to stay at.
Consider:
- Location of huts and campsites on the track – huts and campsites are not always in the same location.
- Distances and walking times between huts/campsites.
- Drop off and pick up times of the water taxi.
3. Decide the date you want to stay at each hut/campsite.
4. Check availability of huts and campsites
Check availability of huts and campsites.
If there is no space in one of huts or campsites, consider:
- starting your walk on a different date.
- rearranging your walk to use a different combination of huts and campsites.
- doing a guided walk.
5. Check the availability of transport on your desired dates
6. Book huts/campsites online
Bookings are required for children and youth even though it's free for them to stay.
If you’re booking campsites, you’ll need to know the number of people in your group as well as the number of tent sites required.
You can also contact a DOC visitor centre for personal assistance. Note: