Canterbury

National

Bookings for the Great Walks are starting to open - and the Department of Conservation expects strong demand.

The Paparoa Track on the West Coast is the first to open today, followed by Fiordland's Milford Track tomorrow.

Last year, the department (Doc) upgraded its online booking system to include a virtual queue to help manage peak demand.

The system faced multiple crashes and false starts in 2023 and 2024.

Doc said the booking system was good to go.

Bookings for the remaining Great Walks open throughout the month.

The department encouraged people to create a log in for the Doc system well in advance, test out their login details before the opening day, familiarise themselves with the booking system and get online about 15 minutes before bookings open.

Opening dates for Great Walk accommodation

For stays from 1 July 2026 - 30 June 2027.…