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The South Island of New Zealand is one of the best places in the world for scenic walks — with everything from glacier views and waterfalls to alpine lakes and coastal tracks.
The best part? Lots of the best day hikes in the South Island of New Zealand are super easy and suitable for families with kids! Read on for my personal favourite hikes in the South Island of New Zealand.
Planning your NZ adventure? Check out this epic New Zealand bucket list
South Island Walks – Quick Guide
- ✔ Best easy walk: Milford Foreshore Walk
- ✔ Best scenic walk: Hooker Valley Track
- ✔ Best for families: Blue Pools Track
- ✔ Best short walk: Bob’s Cove
- ✔ Best region: Mt Cook & Queenstown
10 Tips For Hiking In New Zealand
New Zealand is a beautiful country with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking. Thankfully there are plenty of short hikes in new Zealand that are great for families!
Make sure you check out our guide to the best hiking gear for kids too!
If you’re planning a hike in New Zealand, even if it is just a short walking track, here are some tips to help you make the most of your experience:
- Check the weather forecast – New Zealand’s weather can be unpredictable, and conditions can change quickly. Be prepared!
- Tell someone where you’re going – It’s always a good idea to let someone know your plans in case of an emergency.
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear – Make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes and clothes that are suitable for the conditions. Don’t forget your hat and sunscreen!
- Bring plenty of water and snacks – It’s important to stay hydrated and fuelled when hiking, especially in hot weather.
- Charge Your Phone – In case of emergency, it’s good to have a fully charged phone with you. A portable battery charger is always good for back up too!
- Know your limits – This is especially important when hiking with kids! Don’t expect them to be able to do a big hike on their first attempt. Ease them in with a short and flat track.
- Follow the tracks – It’s important to stay on the tracks to avoid getting lost, injured or damaging the environment.
- Pack a first aid kit – New Zealand is a natural environment, and that means plenty of trip hazards and potential for blisters or itchy bites. Bring basic first aid supplies such as bandaids and antiseptic cream.
- Have fun! – Hiking is meant to be enjoyable so make sure you take the time to appreciate your surroundings and have a good time, so if your kids aren’t keen hikers, add some hiking games to make your trail more exciting.
Check out these easy hiking lunch ideas and snacks to prepare for your day hike.
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Easy Walks For Hiking New Zealand South Island
These New Zealand South Island walks are all very different from each other, but the one thing they have in common is that they are easy and family-friendly!
Make sure you check out our epic New Zealand bucket list with 50 things you need to do in NZ. There are some great walks of New Zealand featured for when the kids are older!
1. Bob’s Cove Track
A short but scenic walk, Bob’s Cove Track is a 2-kilometre-long trail that leads to a stunning viewpoint over Lake Wakatipu.
This short hike is located on the road between Queenstown and Glenorchy, only about a 15-minute drive from Queenstown.Â
Although short, Bob’s Cove Track is a little steep at the end as you hike up to Picnic Point. It’s steep, but only takes a few minutes of effort before you reach the and are rewarded with views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
The beach at Bob’s Cove is stunning, and hanging out here is definitely one of the best things to do in Queenstown with kids!
Distance: 2km return
Time: ~1 hour
Difficulty: Easy (steep final section)
2. Glenorchy Walkway
A beautiful lakeside walk just outside Queenstown, the Glenorchy Walkway is an easy and peaceful trail with incredible mountain views.
The track follows the edge of Lake Wakatipu before turning into boardwalks through the Glenorchy Lagoon, where you can spot birds and enjoy stunning reflections.
The Glenorchy Walkway is one of the best things to do in Glenorchy, a small town located a 40-minute drive from Queenstown and one of the best easy walks near Queenstown if you’re looking for something scenic without the crowds.
Distance: 5km return
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
3. Routeburn Nature Walk
Want to experience one of New Zealand’s famous Great Walks without committing to a full-day hike? The Routeburn Nature Walk is a perfect option, located just a 20-minute drive from the Glenorchy Walkway.
This short loop track starts near Routeburn Shelter and takes you through native forest, across a suspension bridge, and alongside a glacier-fed river.
A great way to get a taste of the Routeburn Track with kids or limited time.
Distance: ~1km loop
Time: 40–60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
4. Milford Foreshore Walk
No South Island itinerary is complete without visiting Milford Sound. But don’t make the same mistake as most, and simply just jump on a boat. Be sure to take a few minutes and walk the trail along the foreshore.
The Milford Foreshore Walk starts from the main car park in Milford Sound and is a 400-meter loop walk. It’s so easy that this trail is even wheelchair accessible!
If you can, see if you can find the famous Milford Sound Swing (a great place to take photos or for kids to play!)
Milford Foreshore Walk
Located right at Milford Sound, this short and accessible walk is often overlooked — but definitely worth doing.
The flat loop track follows the foreshore, offering incredible views of Mitre Peak and the surrounding cliffs, without needing to hike far.
Perfect to do before or after your Milford Sound cruise.
Distance: 400m loop
Time: 10–15 minutes
Difficulty: Very easy (wheelchair accessible)
5. Hooker Valley Track
Hooker Valley Track (Mt Cook)
The Hooker Valley Track is a world-renowned hike located in Mount Cook National Park on New Zealand’s South Island, known for its incredible alpine scenery.
The trail takes you across swing bridges, along glacier rivers, and ends at Hooker Lake with stunning views of Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Although a bit of a longer walk at 5 kilometres each way (10 km in total), it is mostly flat. The trail is also really well-maintained and suitable for families.Â
This is one of the best walks in the South Island and is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary, such as part of your Lake Tekapo itinerary, by taking a day trip to Mount Cook.
Distance: 10km return
Time: 2–3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
There are a few extra things you’ll need to pack for New Zealand in the winter, but it’s definitely doable even in the snow!
6. Omarama Clay Cliffs
The walk to the Omarama Clay Cliffs is one of the lesser-known walks on the South Island, but still one of my favourites! It is a super unique trail that takes you around a series of cliffs made of clay.
These ancient cliffs were once carved by glaciers and now showcase interesting colours and shapes.
The Omarama Clay Cliffs can be found just outside of the town of Omarama (not far from Mount Cook National Park).
There is a $10 NZD fee that needs to be paid before visiting the cliffs in an honesty box at the entrance. They also have bank deposit details listed for convenience.
It only takes about 30 minutes to walk the trail, but you could easily spend longer there wandering around the cliffs and checking out different views!
We did this walk on our drive between Queenstown and Lake Tekapo.
Distance: ~1–2km
Time: 30–60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
7. Mclean Falls
Mclean Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New Zealand. To reach the falls, you’ll need to walk for about 20 minutes on a well-maintained trail.
These falls are huge and seriously impressive at 22 metres tall!
The track to the falls is short and well-maintained, making it an easy walk through lush forest before reaching the powerful multi-tiered waterfall.
The trailhead is located about a 2-hour drive from Dunedin in the South Island’s famous Catlins region. This area is known for its waterfalls, and Mclean Falls is just one of the many falls you can explore on short walks nearby.
Distance: ~1km return
Time: 30–40 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
8. Blue Pools Track
The Blue Pools Track is one of the best family-friendly walks on the South Island. Not only is this trail easy, but it crosses a couple of suspension bridges before reaching the crystal-clear Blue Pools beach area.
The trail takes you across swing bridges and through native forest before reaching the bright blue river pools — perfect for photos or a quick stop.
The beach area is perfect for hanging out and having a picnic. If you can brave the freezing cold water, it’s possible to go for a swim here too!
The Blue Pools Track is 3 kilometres long (there and back) and takes most people about 30 minutes to walk each way.
This is one of the best kid-friendly walks if looking for things to do near Wanaka.
Distance: 3km return
Time: 1–1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
9. Devil’s Punch Bowl (Arthur’s Pass)
A short but rewarding walk in Arthur’s Pass National Park, the Devil’s Punch Bowl leads to one of the tallest waterfalls in New Zealand.
After a short climb through forest and up a series of steps, you’ll reach a powerful 131-metre waterfall crashing down the mountainside.
This track is definitely one of the easiest walks on the South Island, and the fact that it ends at a waterfall makes it fun for families with kids.
A great stop when driving through Arthur’s Pass and needing to stretch your legs.
Distance: ~1km return
Time: 30–45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (stairs)
10. Franz Josef Glacier
The Franz Josef Glacier Walk is a unique experience that takes you through a valley shaped by ancient ice.
The track is mostly flat and easy to follow, passing waterfalls and riverbeds before reaching a viewpoint of the glacier.
While the glacier has receded over the years, it’s still an impressive sight and a great way to experience this part of the West Coast.
A worthwhile stop if you’re travelling the West Coast, especially as part of a longer South Island road trip.
Distance: 5km return
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Are These South Island Walks Suitable For Kids?
Yes — many of these walks are perfect for families.
One of the best things about hiking in New Zealand is how accessible many of the trails are. Well-maintained paths, clear signage, and shorter walking distances make it easy to explore with kids.
That said, it’s still important to choose walks that suit your family:
- Stick to shorter, flatter tracks for younger kids
- Allow extra time for breaks and exploring
- Always check weather conditions before heading out
👉 Some of our favourites with kids were the Blue Pools Track, Milford Foreshore Walk, and Bob’s Cove.
There you have it, 10 amazing walks on the South Island of New Zealand that are easy and family-friendly! Each hike is unique in its own way and a fun way to get some exercise while checking out some of the South Island’s best attractions!
Which of these New Zealand hiking tracks are you keen to conquer first?
Plan Your Trip
Here are a few things we always organise before travelling:
- Stay connected: We use Airalo eSIM
- Car hire: Compare options with DiscoverCars
- Travel insurance: Check SafetyWing or World2Cover via Klook
- Airport transfers: Book with Welcome Pickups
- Accommodation: Find the best deals here
- Tours: We always use GetYourGuide
Plan your New Zealand travels with these resources:
- South Island road trip itinerary
- South Island campgrounds
- The cost of travel in NZ
- Luxury campervan hire New Zealand
- New Zealand winter packing list
- Best apps for camping NZ
- Things to do in Wanaka
- Things to do in Lake Tekapo
- Things to do in Christchurch
- Best NZ wineries
- Campervan with kids in NZ
- Best things to do in New Zealand
Author Bio: Bailey is a Canadian-born travel blogger who after travelling the world for years, decided to make Queenstown, New Zealand her home. She shares her passion for New Zealand on her blog, My Queenstown Diary.
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