Why this site exists
Most "Great Walks" content is a top-10 listicle with the same six stock photos. Bushline exists to answer the actual planning question: given real booking demand, real season dates, and real logistics, which walk fits your trip?
What we do
We compare all 11 official Great Walks side by side on distance, day-count, hut demand, and season — and explain the mechanics that actually decide whether you get a booking, like the staggered May opening dates and the real cancellation-fee structure that makes late-notice cancellations findable. Every fact on this site is checked against the Department of Conservation's own published figures, media releases, and track information.
What we're not
Bushline is an independent planning resource. We are not the Department of Conservation, we don't sell bookings or guided trips, and we're not affiliated with any tour operator named on this site. For the actual booking, always go to doc.govt.nz directly.
Keeping this current
Booking-opening dates shift slightly year to year, and DOC occasionally adjusts track status, prices, or facilities. We aim to keep figures current and clearly dated where the exact year matters, but always cross-check exact dates and prices on DOC's own site before you commit.