Visitor trends highlight simple naturing as Kiwis’ top way to unwind

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  18 December 2025

And coastal destinations and short walks – giving easy access to nature – continue to be the favourites for kiwis looking to make the most of the warmer weather.

DOC’s Director Heritage and Visitors Cat Wilson says the report paints a clear picture of how people are using public conservation land and waterways as a place to reset after a tough economic year. She says short walks continue to dominate visitor activity, making up a large share of recreation across the motu, and many of the top 10 summer spots are coastal, reflecting how strongly Kiwis gravitate toward the water when the holidays arrive.

“Summer naturing doesn’t need to be complicated, a short walk, a swim, or time at a favourite beach or camp is still how most New Zealanders choose to relax and recharge,” Cat Wilson says. “The data confirms what many of us already know: people want simple, affordable ways to be in nature, especially after a challenging year.”

Great Walks, managed by DOC, remain a key part of how people are naturing. Across the 2024/25 season, Great Walks recorded 154,000 bednights and a 78 per cent occupancy rate, up 10 percent on last year. International visitors contributed around 40 percent of bookings as global travel strengthened, while domestic walkers remained strong with close to 60 percent of bookings. Despite some weather-related dips on individual walks, overall growth shows sustained demand for immersive, multiday journeys.

International visitation has now rebounded to 3.38 million arrivals at June 2025, up 162,000 on the previous year and is now more than 90 percent of pre-COVID levels. Beaches and national parks remain the backbone of the international itinerary, with 57 percent visiting a beach and 52 percent visiting a national park, and 72 percent heading out for a walk, most choosing short walks of less than three hours.

Fiordland, Aoraki/Mt Cook, Tongariro and Abel Tasman National Parks are still the biggest drawcards for international visitors. Even with slightly shorter stays, international travellers are packing their itineraries full of nature experiences, meaning high-use national parks will see plenty of activity over the summer months.

With some of New Zealand’s most iconic places at their busiest over summer, Cat encourages visitors to think about how they get there, not just where they’re going.

“At places like Milford Sound, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Franz Josef, taking a shuttle instead of driving can make a real difference,” Cat says. “It reduces congestion at busy sites, takes the pressure off car parks and roads, and lets people relax and enjoy the scenery while someone else does the driving.”

“If you’re heading into the backcountry or our iconic national parks arrive prepared- take the right gear, check the forecast, and plan for changing conditions,” says Cat. “Summer weather can be a mixed bag, hot and dry one day, sudden downpours the next. Having warm layers, sun protection and enough water makes all the difference.”

Domestic visitation softened slightly over the past year, something the report links to storm events, slips, road closures and the cost of living. But Cat says that hasn’t stopped people from getting outside, it simply means they’re naturing differently.

Many well-known huts recorded solid year-on-year gains, with domestic visitors continuing to dominate usage and often making up 60–80% of bookings The most popular hut was the Pinnacles Hut which had over 18,000 bednights, up 13% from last year. Uretiti Beach Campsite (52,000 bednights) and Totaranui Campground (71,000 bednights) top the most used campsite list.

With more people spending time at beaches, estuaries and coastal tracks, DOC is also reminding the public to give wildlife plenty of space, especially seals, penguins and seabirds resting along the shoreline.

“Summer naturing is for everyone, including the wildlife that calls these places home. Please keep dogs under control, slow down around marine mammals, and enjoy watching from a respectful distance.”

Cat says summer is the perfect time to slow down, explore somewhere new, and let nature do what it does best.

“After a long year, getting outside is one of the easiest ways to feel restored. Whether you’ve got five minutes or a full day, nature is always there, and summer is the ideal time to make the most of it.”

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