“Hard work should be rewarded with good food.”
-Ken Follett
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Northbound
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Te Araroa is very convenient when it comes to resupplying, lots of towns are on the trail or close by. For most sections, you will only have to carry 3-6 days of food (even less for the North Island). New Zealand is also a well-developed country which makes what you find in grocery stores not too far from what most of us know. The main groceries brand are: PAK'nsave, Countdown, New World, Four Square, Fresh Choice, and Super Value. Here's some information for your resupply plan that I hope will make your prepping a lot easier. If you haven't yet, select which direction you are planning to do the hike on the top of this page (it will put the towns in order as you will encounter them).
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Resupply Example |
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This is almost the same resupply plan I used for my hike of the South Island. Keep in mind, the kms stated for each resupply are based on the TA trail of 2019-2020, which means if they change even slightly the trail the following kilometres will be off. This is only an example and by no means, it's the only way to go.
Bluff to Invercargill: 34km
Invercargill to Riverton: 32km
Riverton to Otautau: 73km
Otautau to Te Anau: 95km
Te Anau to Queenstown: 96km
Queenstown to Wanaka: 91km
Wanaka to Twizel: 142km
Twizel to Lake Tekapo: 55km
Lake Tekapo to Methven: 142km
Methven to Hanmer Springs: 175km
Hanmer Springs to St-Arnaud: 125km
St-Arnaud to Havelock: 162km
Havelock to Ship Cove: 87km
Invercargill to Riverton: 32km
Riverton to Otautau: 73km
Otautau to Te Anau: 95km
Te Anau to Queenstown: 96km
Queenstown to Wanaka: 91km
Wanaka to Twizel: 142km
Twizel to Lake Tekapo: 55km
Lake Tekapo to Methven: 142km
Methven to Hanmer Springs: 175km
Hanmer Springs to St-Arnaud: 125km
St-Arnaud to Havelock: 162km
Havelock to Ship Cove: 87km
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Full List |
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Bluff (~km 3008)
Bluff (the starting point) has accommodations, restaurants, and a grocery (Four Square).
Bluff (the starting point) has accommodations, restaurants, and a grocery (Four Square).
Invercargill (~km 2973)
The trail passes right beside the town, the closes grocery (PAK'nSave) is about 2km away. The town has plenty of restaurants, hostels, and hotels. As well there is an I-site (if you are looking to buy a hut pass for your trip) and a Spark store if you need a Sim card.
The trail passes right beside the town, the closes grocery (PAK'nSave) is about 2km away. The town has plenty of restaurants, hostels, and hotels. As well there is an I-site (if you are looking to buy a hut pass for your trip) and a Spark store if you need a Sim card.
Otatara (~km 2969)
This small Four Square is right on the trail, I ended up skipping this resupply and waiting for Riverton.
This small Four Square is right on the trail, I ended up skipping this resupply and waiting for Riverton.
Riverton (~km 2941)
The trail passes right beside the grocery (a Super Value, 150m away). Riverton, a cute little town beside the sea divided with a bridge, has a hostel and guest houses.
The trail passes right beside the grocery (a Super Value, 150m away). Riverton, a cute little town beside the sea divided with a bridge, has a hostel and guest houses.
Otautau (~km 2868)
You will have to leave the trail and walk or hitch 13km into the town. I walked into the town on the gravel road from km 2880 (see Otautau detour for more info). This little farm town has two groceries, the Super Value is bigger and cheaper (just beside Otautau Hotel). Free public bathroom beside the kid playground and has one hotel, a pool, and campground if you need a shower.
You will have to leave the trail and walk or hitch 13km into the town. I walked into the town on the gravel road from km 2880 (see Otautau detour for more info). This little farm town has two groceries, the Super Value is bigger and cheaper (just beside Otautau Hotel). Free public bathroom beside the kid playground and has one hotel, a pool, and campground if you need a shower.
Te Anau (~km 2773)
You will have to leave the trail and hitch 28km into town. The highway has enough traffic not to wait too long. Te Anau has a big Fresh Choice for resupply, plenty of restaurants for food, outdoor shops if you need anything, and hotels/hostels for the night. I stayed at the Top 10 holiday park (NZ$25 per person) they have laundry (NZ$4 a wash) and the best? They have a jumping station! If you are only there for the day, the information centre has showers (NZ$5 for 8min).
You will have to leave the trail and hitch 28km into town. The highway has enough traffic not to wait too long. Te Anau has a big Fresh Choice for resupply, plenty of restaurants for food, outdoor shops if you need anything, and hotels/hostels for the night. I stayed at the Top 10 holiday park (NZ$25 per person) they have laundry (NZ$4 a wash) and the best? They have a jumping station! If you are only there for the day, the information centre has showers (NZ$5 for 8min).
Queenstown (~km 2677) / Glenorchy (see worthy detours)
At Greenstone River (~km 2691) I left the TA and met it again close to Glendhu Bay MotorCamp (~km 2600) the two detours added about 100km, I highly recommend them! For that reason, I traded Queenstown for Glenorchy to resupply. Glenorchy is small, it has 2 general stores with limited and expensive goods. The one beside the campground is fancier, with fresh bread, a few veggies and dairy. The other one has more simple, long-lasting food. Between the two, I managed to find food for the upcoming section, but I paid about 50% higher price (yep, expensive!). To avoid the markup, if you have the time, you could hitch to Queenstown to resupply (Queenstown is big and has everything you want at a fair price) or send a food box to Glenorchy. The campground in Glenorchy has paid showers (for hot water only, cold showers are free) and laundry for NZ$4.
At Greenstone River (~km 2691) I left the TA and met it again close to Glendhu Bay MotorCamp (~km 2600) the two detours added about 100km, I highly recommend them! For that reason, I traded Queenstown for Glenorchy to resupply. Glenorchy is small, it has 2 general stores with limited and expensive goods. The one beside the campground is fancier, with fresh bread, a few veggies and dairy. The other one has more simple, long-lasting food. Between the two, I managed to find food for the upcoming section, but I paid about 50% higher price (yep, expensive!). To avoid the markup, if you have the time, you could hitch to Queenstown to resupply (Queenstown is big and has everything you want at a fair price) or send a food box to Glenorchy. The campground in Glenorchy has paid showers (for hot water only, cold showers are free) and laundry for NZ$4.
Wanaka (~km 2573)
The grocery (New World) in Wanaka is a paradise after the limited options of Glenorchy. Get the club card to have the discounts in the New World (it doesn't cost anything and doesn't require any activation). I stayed at the Lake View Campground (NZ$21 per person) and they had laundry (wash and drier for NZ$7).
The grocery (New World) in Wanaka is a paradise after the limited options of Glenorchy. Get the club card to have the discounts in the New World (it doesn't cost anything and doesn't require any activation). I stayed at the Lake View Campground (NZ$21 per person) and they had laundry (wash and drier for NZ$7).
Lake Hawea (~km 2560)
The town has a small general store, perfect for a cold drink or ice cream on a hot day. As a resupply, it is very limited, you are better off carrying food from Wanaka.
The town has a small general store, perfect for a cold drink or ice cream on a hot day. As a resupply, it is very limited, you are better off carrying food from Wanaka.
Twizel (~km 2444)
It has two Four Square with everything you need. The one closer to the sports center is the bigger one. The campground has free showers with laundry facilities.
It has two Four Square with everything you need. The one closer to the sports center is the bigger one. The campground has free showers with laundry facilities.
Lake Tekapo (~km 2389)
This touristic town has a good grocery (Four Square). Some lodging facility is also available. If you are simply passing by, there is a water fountain on the boardwalk between Thai Tekapo and Air Safaris.
This touristic town has a good grocery (Four Square). Some lodging facility is also available. If you are simply passing by, there is a water fountain on the boardwalk between Thai Tekapo and Air Safaris.
Geraldine (~km 2316)
If you need to resupply once you reached Rangitata River, Geraldine will be your best option with a Fresh Choice and accommodations. The issue is that the road the trail finishes at is very quiet, expect to walk (74km) or wait quite a bit before being picked up. An alternative is the shuttle Alps 2 Ocean, which I used and would recommend. If you plan to cross the river, do so, only if you are very experienced with river crossings, every year people get rescued trying to cross. Visit this website, shortly before crossing to know its flow, avoid crossing above 80m/sec. For a full description of the rivers visit challenges.
If you need to resupply once you reached Rangitata River, Geraldine will be your best option with a Fresh Choice and accommodations. The issue is that the road the trail finishes at is very quiet, expect to walk (74km) or wait quite a bit before being picked up. An alternative is the shuttle Alps 2 Ocean, which I used and would recommend. If you plan to cross the river, do so, only if you are very experienced with river crossings, every year people get rescued trying to cross. Visit this website, shortly before crossing to know its flow, avoid crossing above 80m/sec. For a full description of the rivers visit challenges.
Methven (~km 2246)
If you need to resupply once you reached Rakaia River, Methven will be your best option with a Super Value and a Four Square for food, and plenty of accommodation. Primo Coffee Shop (in front of the Four Square) has a really good wifi. The campground in Methven has a laundry facility, pool tables, ping-pong table, and other things to make your town day fun! To get there, it is about 48km to walk from the trail, hitchhiking can be difficult as the traffic on the road is very limited. An alternative is the shuttle Alps 2 Ocean, which I used and would recommend.
If you need to resupply once you reached Rakaia River, Methven will be your best option with a Super Value and a Four Square for food, and plenty of accommodation. Primo Coffee Shop (in front of the Four Square) has a really good wifi. The campground in Methven has a laundry facility, pool tables, ping-pong table, and other things to make your town day fun! To get there, it is about 48km to walk from the trail, hitchhiking can be difficult as the traffic on the road is very limited. An alternative is the shuttle Alps 2 Ocean, which I used and would recommend.
Arthur's Pass (~km 2173)
This little touristic stop is about 5km from the trail, it is a stop more than a village. Resupplying here will be difficult, a small store does sell a few things, but expect to make sacrifices and to pay extra $ if you choose to stop. It is worth sending a food box or you can skip Arthur's Pass all together, that's what I did, it is 175km from Lake Coleridge to the cut-off for Hanmer Springs.
This little touristic stop is about 5km from the trail, it is a stop more than a village. Resupplying here will be difficult, a small store does sell a few things, but expect to make sacrifices and to pay extra $ if you choose to stop. It is worth sending a food box or you can skip Arthur's Pass all together, that's what I did, it is 175km from Lake Coleridge to the cut-off for Hanmer Springs.
Hanmer Springs (~km 2070)
I left the trail at Windy Point to reach the highway 7. This highway is not the busiest but has some traffic, enough to expect a ride. Hanmer Springs has an awesome hot spring (with cool water slides). It has a Four Square which is almost beside the post office (perfect to send a food box to St-Arnaud). Plenty of accommodations and restaurants. It has even two campgrounds.
I left the trail at Windy Point to reach the highway 7. This highway is not the busiest but has some traffic, enough to expect a ride. Hanmer Springs has an awesome hot spring (with cool water slides). It has a Four Square which is almost beside the post office (perfect to send a food box to St-Arnaud). Plenty of accommodations and restaurants. It has even two campgrounds.
St-Arnaud (~km 1945)
The town has a few lodges and a gas station with a small general store within. I do not recommend resupplying here, do yourself a favour and send a food box (it's not that expensive, and you can do so from Hanmer Springs). Worst case scenario it could be possible to resupply here, but as northbounders, once you're here you are about to start the Richmond Range, which is one of the longest and hardest sections, having good food and the right amount will make this section a lot more enjoyable. You can send your food box to most lodges (ask before) for NZ$15 fee or to the general store (NZ$10 for a small box and NZ$15 for a big one).
The town has a few lodges and a gas station with a small general store within. I do not recommend resupplying here, do yourself a favour and send a food box (it's not that expensive, and you can do so from Hanmer Springs). Worst case scenario it could be possible to resupply here, but as northbounders, once you're here you are about to start the Richmond Range, which is one of the longest and hardest sections, having good food and the right amount will make this section a lot more enjoyable. You can send your food box to most lodges (ask before) for NZ$15 fee or to the general store (NZ$10 for a small box and NZ$15 for a big one).
Pelorus Bridge (~km 1804)
Although no resupply can be done here, this little spot doesn't have a grocery but it has a nice cafe with a few snacks and cold drinks. Coming out of the Richmond Range, it is a nice treat.
Although no resupply can be done here, this little spot doesn't have a grocery but it has a nice cafe with a few snacks and cold drinks. Coming out of the Richmond Range, it is a nice treat.
Havelock (~km 1783)
One street sort of little town, it has a Four Square, a campground and other accommodations. The I-site in town can help you get your permit for Queen Charlotte Track and ferry back to Picton.
One street sort of little town, it has a Four Square, a campground and other accommodations. The I-site in town can help you get your permit for Queen Charlotte Track and ferry back to Picton.
Picton (~km 1696)
Theoretically, once you get to Picton your TA of the South Island is done. You finish at Ship Cove which is a ferry away from Picton (an expensive NZ$70 ferry!). Most likely you will finish hungry and filthy, Picton got you covered with a big Fresh Choice and lots of accommodations.
Theoretically, once you get to Picton your TA of the South Island is done. You finish at Ship Cove which is a ferry away from Picton (an expensive NZ$70 ferry!). Most likely you will finish hungry and filthy, Picton got you covered with a big Fresh Choice and lots of accommodations.
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Questions & Answers |
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Q: how Many food boxes do i need?
A: The location people send food boxes are Arthur's Pass, Boyle Village, and St-Arnaud. That being said if you are like me and prefer sending fewer food boxes as possible. The only place I would recommend is St-Arnaud.
Q: how do i send a food box?
A: First, go to the Post Office to buy one of their boxes (the size that suits you) they are usually a few dollars. Then, fill it with all the best trail food available (add a few extra treats to ''surprise'' yourself). Third, write on the box ''TA Hiker'' with the expected pick-up date and the address to where it is going. For the ''from'' address write the one you are staying at (like a campground, hostel, etc.) At last, simply go to the post office and send it, yes it is that easy! One thing which is important to keep in mind, you should have contacted the destination of your box, whether it is a lodge or a store. You have to know if they accept these boxes and they have to know that one is coming their way. Some places will charge you a pick-up fee.
Q: which sections should i plan to carry extra food?
A: You should always carry extra food in case of very nasty weather or emergency. If you meant outside of that ''emergency food'' the two sections that you should expect delays are as follows:
For the other sections, your emergency food should be enough. You can refer to the rivers section (to have a list of the possible tricky rivers to cross), if you are supposed to have lots of rain, these are good to keep in mind.
- Methven/Arthur's pass to Hanmer Spring: This section includes the Deception River which has a bad reputation among hikers. It floods easily and can be very difficult, even impossible to cross at times. If it rained within a couple of days before you start that section (or during) expect delays.
- St-Arnaud to Havelock: That section is the Richmond Range, the trail is rougher and has a lot of elevation gain compared to the rest of the trail. There is as well a long section (30+km) on a ridge above treeline that can be tricky on nasty weather.
For the other sections, your emergency food should be enough. You can refer to the rivers section (to have a list of the possible tricky rivers to cross), if you are supposed to have lots of rain, these are good to keep in mind.
Q: what was your favourite trail food?
A: On this hike, I liked Made Simple and Tasti Nut Butter bars. I enjoyed the full of flavours Soy Sticks. As well, Whittaker's make huge (250g) dark chocolate bars, the best was when you just opened it and tell yourself you have to finish it in case it melts (on cooler cloudy days). When it comes to chocolate you are allowed to lie to yourself.
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