Best hiking destinations in Oceania

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Oceania's hiking spans an enormous geographic range, from the ancient eroded ranges of Australia's interior and the dense rainforests of its tropical north to the dramatic alpine terrain of New Zealand's South Island and the jungle-covered volcanic peaks of the Pacific islands. The variety of landscapes is matched by an equally wide range of trail conditions, from world-class maintained paths with hut systems to unmarked routes through remote wilderness requiring serious navigation experience.

New Zealand's Great Walks are the most internationally recognised trails in the region and represent some of the finest maintained multi-day hiking anywhere. They book out well in advance during peak season and require reservations for huts and campsites. Australia's long-distance trails are less structured, with water scarcity and extreme heat adding genuine risk on many routes. Conditions change quickly, but cooler seasons open up exceptional walking across a range of environments.

Sun exposure and dehydration are serious concerns across much of the region and demand more preparation than hikers from temperate climates may expect. In tropical zones, leeches, insects and wet terrain are routine rather than exceptional and gear needs to be chosen accordingly. Your money goes a long way in many Pacific island destinations though costs in Australia and New Zealand are broadly in line with other developed hiking destinations. Search and rescue exists but response times in remote areas can be long.