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Te Araroa South Island Section

Nelson to Bluff, South Island · New Zealand

Challenging25 daysOceania~£2,200 est.

Overview

The South Island section of Te Araroa covers roughly 1,100 km from Nelson at the top of the island to Bluff at the southern tip — a 25-day highlight itinerary taking in the trail's greatest chapters. Begin with the Richmond Ranges, a challenging highland traverse rarely visited by casual tourists, then descend into the wine country of Marlborough before hitting the Nelson Lakes. The Southern Alps section via the Richmond, Poulter, and Rangitata is the heart of the walk — river crossings that demand judgment, unmarked routes across alpine tarns, and ridgelines where the views of Aoraki/Mount Cook stop you cold. The final chapter crosses the Southland plains into Fiordland, finishing on the long beach walk to Bluff's famous signpost. This is trail running territory if you move fast, or immersive long-form trekking if you don't — either way it will recalibrate your sense of what wild country means.