Fuel Your New Zealand Great Walk with Real Meals: The Best Food Solution for Every Adventure
New Zealand’s Great Walks are some of the world’s most scenic and rewarding multi-day hikes, offering a truly immersive experience in Aotearoa’s incredible landscapes. Whether you’re trekking through lush rainforests, alpine valleys, volcanic terrain, or along dramatic coastlines, ensuring that you have high-quality, nutritious food is key to fully enjoying your journey. That’s where Real Meals comes in. Our range of premium, chef-crafted, freeze-dried meals provides the ideal fuel for these epic adventures. From breakfast to dinner (and even dessert!), Real Meals is your perfect companion on New Zealand’s Great Walks.
Why Real Meals Are Ideal for Great Walks
Real Meals is designed with adventurers in mind, making it the best choice for food on New Zealand’s Great Walks. With a high-quality freeze-dried process, our meals retain their nutrition and flavors without the need for heavy packaging or complicated cooking steps. All you need is a cooker that boils water—no extended meal prep required! Here’s why Real Meals are perfect for your Great Walk adventure:
- Effortless Cooking: Just add boiling water, and your meal is ready in minutes, saving time and fuel.
- Lightweight and Compact: Carry only what you need without extra weight.
- Nutrition-Packed: Enjoy chef-made meals with all the nutrients you need for long days of hiking.
- Versatile Options: From breakfast to snacks, lunch, and dinner, Real Meals has it all.
- Affordable: Purchase only what you’ll eat, reducing both waste and cost.
New Zealand’s Great Walks and the Perfect Real Meals for Each One
Each of New Zealand’s Great Walks has unique features that make it special. Here’s a breakdown of these iconic trails and our food recommendations for each:
1. Milford Track – Fiordland
Distance: 53.5 km, 4 days
Highlights: Towering fiords, lush valleys, and glacial rivers. The Milford Track is known for its dramatic scenery and stunning waterfalls.
Real Meals Tip: With variable weather in Fiordland, it’s essential to carry energy-dense food like our Beef Stroganoff or Hearty Breakfasts like Banana Oat Porridge. You’ll also want snacks to sustain you on long hiking days through unpredictable conditions, the Berry Smoothie is perfect.
2. Tongariro Northern Circuit – Central North Island
Distance: 41 km, 3-4 days
Highlights: Explore volcanic landscapes, including the famous Emerald Lakes and active craters of Mt. Tongariro. This circuit is one of the most surreal and iconic hikes in the country.
Real Meals Tip: Pack high-energy meals to keep you fueled as you navigate steep inclines and volcanic terrain. Our Sri Lankan Chicken Curry or Wilderness Stew are perfect for a satisfying end to a day of hiking in the high-altitude environment.
3. Abel Tasman Coast Track – Tasman Region
Distance: 60 km, 3-5 days
Highlights: Golden beaches, turquoise water, and native forests. This coastal track is more relaxed but equally rewarding, with options for kayaking sections.
Real Meals Tip: With warmer weather, lighter meals like our Moroccan Tagine or Tom Kha Gai are perfect choices. A variety of snacks and desserts will keep you energised for beachside stops and scenic breaks, the Chocolate Cake Pudding on the beach at sunset is bliss!
4. Routeburn Track – Fiordland and Mt. Aspiring National Parks
Distance: 32 km, 2-3 days
Highlights: Alpine landscapes, mountain lakes, and panoramic views. Known for its beauty, the Routeburn is a high-altitude walk with some challenging sections.
Real Meals Tip: Opt for warming meals like our Cheesy Mash or Mexi Nachos. Easy-to-carry snacks are ideal for quick energy on ascents and scenic lookouts, try the Boysenberry Yoghurt for this pick up.
5. Kepler Track – Fiordland
Distance: 60 km, 3-4 days
Highlights: Alpine ridges, forested valleys, and glacial-fed lakes. The Kepler is a great choice for those who want a mix of forest and exposed ridge walks.
Real Meals Tip: Our comforting dinner options like Bacon Mash and Dal Makhani will hit the spot after a day on the trail. Start each morning with our hearty breakfast options like the Bircher Muesli to prepare for the day’s elevation gain.
6. Rakiura Track – Stewart Island
Distance: 32 km, 3 days
Highlights: Remote, untouched wilderness and the chance to see kiwis in their natural habitat. Rakiura offers a peaceful, secluded experience.
Real Meals Tip: For the remote Rakiura, choose meals that offer comfort, like our Beef Stroganoff or something from the Youth Range, these are full size meals for anyone and delicious. Our desserts will make the evenings even more enjoyable in this quiet setting, like a Tropical Pudding.
How Real Meals Enhance Your Great Walk Experience
– Time-Saving: Our meals only require rapid boiling, meaning you’ll use less fuel and can spend more time enjoying your surroundings instead of cooking.
– Nutritionally Balanced: Each meal is carefully crafted to provide the energy and nutrients you need, whether it’s protein, carbs, or vitamins.
– Eco-Friendly Packaging: Pack it in, pack it out. Our packaging is compact, easy to pack out, and be recycled, aligning with Leave No Trace principles.
Real Meals – The Perfect Food Solution for Great Walk Adventures
For anyone searching “what to eat on Great Walks” or “best food for New Zealand hiking,” Real Meals provides the ultimate solution. Not only are our meals lightweight and easy to prepare, but they also offer unmatched quality and taste. By packing Real Meals, you can focus on enjoying your Great Walk journey without worrying about meal planning or preparation.
Check out our full range of freeze-dried meals here and start planning your next Great Walk adventure with Real Meals as your trusted fuel partner!
7. Heaphy Track – Kahurangi National Park
- Distance: 78.4 km, 4-6 days
- Highlights: Diverse terrain, from lush rainforests to rugged coastal sections and tussock-covered plateaus. This track offers a variety of landscapes and the chance to see rare wildlife like the Great Spotted Kiwi.
8. Whanganui Journey – Whanganui National Park
- Distance: 145 km (via river kayak or canoe), 3-5 days
- Highlights: Although not a traditional hike, this Great Walk is a unique river journey. Paddle through lush forested valleys and encounter historical Maori sites and villages along the way.
9. Paparoa Track – Paparoa National Park
- Distance: 55 km, 2-3 days
- Highlights: Known for its rugged West Coast scenery, this track includes limestone landscapes, lush rainforests, and stunning views over the Tasman Sea. It’s also the newest Great Walk, designed for both hikers and mountain bikers.
10. Lake Waikaremoana – Te Urewera
- Distance: 46 km, 3-4 days
- Highlights: Pristine lake views, ancient rainforests, and a strong sense of cultural heritage as you walk through the heartland of the Tūhoe people in Te Urewera. It’s a secluded track perfect for those wanting a peaceful, nature-focused experience.
11. The Hump Ridge Track is set to become New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk, officially joining the ranks in 2025. Located in the remote Fiordland region, the Hump Ridge Track offers a rugged, varied journey from coastal cliffs to alpine heights, featuring incredible views of Fiordland, the Southern Ocean, and the vast wilderness of the South Coast.
Hump Ridge Track Details
- Distance: 61 km, 3 days
- Highlights: This track takes hikers on a journey through ancient forests, along high ridges with panoramic views, and past historic viaducts left from logging days. The track’s remoteness means fewer people, providing a tranquil experience among New Zealand’s untouched landscapes.
Real Meals: Your Culinary Partner for New Zealand’s Great Walks
When you’re on any of New Zealand’s Great Walks, Real Meals offers both quality and convenience. Whether you’re looking for “best food for New Zealand hiking” or simply want a hassle-free meal option, our chef-crafted, freeze-dried meals are perfect for your journey. Get started on planning your Great Walk adventure today by exploring our full range of Real Meals.
