My Top 5 Overnight Hikes – And Why They Make the List
New Zealand is spoiled for incredible overnight hikes, from bush-clad valleys to tarn-studded tops. Narrowing it down to five wasn’t easy—but these are the trips I keep coming back to, the ones that linger in memory long after the boots come off.
These five overnight adventures offer something special: variety, views, freedom to explore, and the option to turn a simple overnighter into something much bigger.
Here are my top picks—and exactly why they’ve earned their place.
1. Jolliebrook Circuit
(Lake Sumner Forest Park)
This one sat on my list for years, and when I finally made it happen… I immediately wondered why I waited so long. Jolliebrook Circuit is fun, accessible, and low-stress—exactly what an overnight hike should be.
The mix of terrain keeps the whole circuit interesting: open tussock terraces, crystal-clear streams, swing bridges, beech forest, and gentle river flats. The side trip to Lake Sumner is absolutely worth the detour. The lake is huge, ringed with mountains that rise almost straight from the water’s edge. It’s one of those spots that feels much further from civilisation than it actually is.
Why it makes the list:
Varied terrain that never gets boring
A sweet little hut
Options to extend the trip up Cold Stream or around Lake Sumner
Perfect for beginners and seasoned hikers alike
I would happily put this circuit on repeat.
2. Carroll Hut
(Arthur’s Pass National Park)
A classic for a reason. Carroll Hut is the kind of overnight adventure that balances challenge with reward. The climb is steep, but once you break out of the bush the landscape opens dramatically into tussock basins and subalpine ridges.
The hut sits in a spectacular spot, and if you have time, the ridge above it is begging to be explored. Wander among tarns, climb to viewpoints, or simply sit and watch the light move across the mountains.
Sunrise from the hut is magic. Sunset might be even better, with the last golden rays dropping behind the western ranges.
Why it makes the list:
A steep but satisfying climb
Stunning tarns and subalpine terrain
Plenty of camping options above the hut
Easy to turn into a multi-day trip
3. Buckland Peaks
(West Coast)
If you want a proper grunt with a proper reward, Buckland Peaks is your track. The ascent is a solid climb, but reaching the tops feels like stepping into another world.
Most hikers skip the hut and head right up to the ridgeline to camp—and honestly, that’s where the magic is. The views over the Tasman Sea are unbelievable, especially at sunset when the sky turns warm red and the coastline glows.
Up here you’ll find hidden tarns, wild rock formations, and plateaus perfect for pitching a tent. It’s one of the most rewarding overnight trips on the Coast.
Why it makes the list:
Unmatched sunset views over the ocean
Beautiful camping spots
Tarn access for water
Rugged, photogenic landscape
4. Tarn Hut via Youngman Stream
(Lees Valley, Canterbury)
This is a Canterbury favourite, and for good reason. It’s flexible, scenic, and has two huts to choose from: Youngman Stream Hut and Tarn Hut.
You get to pick your adventure:
Take the 4WD track straight to Tarn Hut for a quick climb, or
Follow Youngman Stream to the lower hut and then make the big climb the next day.
Tarn Hut sits in a spectacular basin with views stretching across the Canterbury Plains. Sunrise is stunning, especially if there’s snow on the tops. The tarn itself is a perfect mirror on a still morning, and in winter it can freeze into delicate patterns.
Why it makes the list:
Two huts = flexible route planning
Stunning sunrise views
Perfect reflections in the tarn
Easy access but still feels remote
5. Lewis Pass Tops
(Lewis Pass / St James Conservation Area)
Steep? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. The track climbs steadily through beech forest before bursting into open ridgelines, terraces, and shimmering tarns.
Once you reach the tops, the world opens up. Camp at Lucretia Tarns, below The Apprentice, or anywhere along the gentle terraces. Watching sunset and sunrise from the tops is an unforgettable experience—cloud inversions, golden light, and silence broken only by the wind moving through tussock.
This trip can be anything you want: a quick up-and-down mission, an overnight adventure, or part of a longer tops traverse.
Why it makes the list:
Classic alpine views without technical terrain
Endless camping spots
Tarn-studded ridges
Perfect for photography and sunrise/sunset missions
Final Thoughts
These five overnight hikes each offer something unique—beech forest, tarns, lakes, ridges, and wide-open wilderness. Some are gentle and family-friendly, others are steep and rugged, but all of them deliver adventure in their own distinct way.
Whether you’re keen for a relaxed overnighter or want something you can turn into a multi-day mission, these trips are ones I’ll happily return to again and again.
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