Start to Finish Cost of Te Araroa

[@TheGermanHiker]

Hey Murph, Im in the middle of planning my TA this year. Thank you so much for your inside on costs. Can you do a video about "favorite places/cities" on the TA? Would love it. Greetings from Germany!

[@MoveWithMurph]

I’ll put it on the list! Maybe I’ll do a short on it.

[@cathafloat1519]

Thanks for the video and your honesty. We already did the NI SOBO 2019-20 but on the SI NOBO 2022-23 we plan to send bounce boxes (resupply boxes) ahead which are not only necessary but will be much cheaper than resupplying at, say, a petrol station or a small “dairy”. We will, of course, use the smaller shops on the way, as they are part of the TA economy. So, for 8-9 days in the Richmonds, for example, it will be much more cost effective to send a bounce box to St Arnaud. Hope this helps other potential TA trampers.

[@MoveWithMurph]

The two spots that cost the most to re supply are definitely St. Arnaud, and Arthur’s pass. I sent a box for both from Wellington before I hopped on the ferry. A trail angel picked me up from hacket hut and I re supplied in Nelson. Highly recommend doing that. The it’s 4 days from Havlock, then 5 days to St. Arnauds.

[@Laura-ij5fj]

Whilst a very factual video, the entertainment value (especially due to such honesty) is gold! I hope you weren't sick of cousous by the end of TA...

[@MoveWithMurph]

Hahahha somehow I still can eat it, and now sometimes weirdly crave it. I have no idea what’s wrong with me

[@pj3635]

You can walk around the Rangitata and Rakaia river sections instead of shuttles, as well as all kayak sections. This will reduce costs, but will change your experience overall. Save money by not staying in hotels, door knock for a tent spot, kiwis are accommodating. Buy spare shoes in advance, you will burn up Atleast 2 pairs. Don’t stick around large towns like Auckland, Hamilton or Wellington, it will chew up funds and trap you into feasting and resting 😂

[@thirstymercfan]

The cost makes sense when you look at NZ Geographically, it is so far from anywhere - the shipping cost from Australia in NZ is one of the most expensive shipping routes in the world. So when you take that into consideration it makes sense, it costs a lot of money for NZ to replenish their goods and that is passed onto the consumer. Im originally from NZ but live in Australia, its so expensive in NZ. Ive done a lot of hiking in the South Island and you hit the nail on the head - back country passes. Makes it cheaper unless of course you are staying in huts on the routeburn, milford of Kepler 😊

[@toocleanpappas5397]

I've done the big 3 in the US and that doesn't sound at all bad for a Thru-hike. In fact a little low. However, the US trails are longer with the AT being only about 400 miles longer, the others quite a bit. My CDT was around 2900. So vs an 1800 mile, I can see it being a bit high in price. But still for the amount of time you're out there, and the fact that you can't just camp out on the trail, it makes sense. Also, I took about 15 zero days on the CDT, and that right there will save you a ton vs 30 zeros. My friend when asked how much it takes to hike a trail always replies, "How much you got?" It's kinda true especially for the US trails. If you can go 2 weeks without a shower, split hotel costs with other hikers and buy cheap food without splurging in town on restaurants it helps out. One thing we did was rent a place that had a kitchen. It generally was a bit more expensive, but then we would buy good food at a grocery and cook a home cooked meal. It ended up being great food for a lot less money. I'm heading to do the TA in about a month, so I'll have to see how it goes for me and maybe I'll check back in and see how it compares. I bought a ton of lamb when I hiked Ireland and Scotland, and heard New Zealand has a ton as well, so hopefully it will be cheap there as well. yumm! Good video! It gave me a good view of what to expect.

[@MoveWithMurph]

I would love to know! Good luck on the trail! And enjoy. Thanks for the detailed response.

[@jimmychoppa1997]

Thanks for the video bro. I’m a kiwi who’s keen to do at least the South Island this year. North island is a bit daunting though due to the price I must say. I’m thinking I might even do the north in sections. Although my best mate just completed the South Island and only spent $2k NZD living comfortably. Appreciate the video and the others on Te Araroa!

[@MoveWithMurph]

The South Island was definitively the best part. I definitely spent extra money in Queenstown, swung into Christchurch, and hitched over to Milford sounds for a weekend. Hope you get out and get after it!

[@ZacDeclerck]

Hey! I found the TA quite expensive too. Especially the North Island. Off memory my TA hike was $4000usd over 88 days. My PCT hike was $3400usd over 100 days. My Bibbulmun hike (1000km) was $540usd over 30 days!

[@MoveWithMurph]

Yeah it was about 50% more expensive than I expected, half of that is due to personal irresponsibility, I think the other half is due to the remote nature of the country.

[@kiwieagle23]

Thanks for the video :) Interestingly your total of $6241 USD works out to be exactly $10,000 NZD (according to the online converter I used).

[@lafffey]

Whoa! We spent almost the same amount of money on the trail. I spent slightly less.

[@boostedshuttle2231]

I've been working out to do the south island, you have the normal bills at-home as well as cost for the gear and then the trail costs for the 3months can be a big saving to make. Be a 12k walk. Hahaha so mite be doing it in sections. Cheers for the great advice

[@MoveWithMurph]

Thanks for watching

[@alexhs3795]

Mexico is in North America so I can roll my R’s like a pro 😄

[@MoveWithMurph]

Lol, you do have a serious advantage.

[@jurgschupbach3059]

did ya include the cost of vaccination............in the long run

[@jurgschupbach3059]

not every potential visitor from overseas will swallow that bait......believe me

[@jimmychoppa1997]

Just wait another year bro and that vaccine pass will be gone. I’m a kiwi and it’s already getting phased out

[@MoveWithMurph]

Vaccine passport is over now, and the vaccine was free to anyone who decided they wanted to get it.

[@jurgschupbach3059]

@@MoveWithMurph do you consider free excess mortality into your cost approach.........

[@jurgschupbach3059]

i mean in the long run?

[@FraserChapman]

Great video! My partner and I are doing TA this year and this was super helpful - subscribed here and followed on IG :)

[@MoveWithMurph]

Good Luck! Let me know when you get to the richmonds I live in Nelson, Maybe I'll come up for some Coffee and lunch at Rocks Hut or Hacket Hut. If you need anything while in the area reach out.

[@FraserChapman]

​@@MoveWithMurph Thanks dude, that's a super kind offer! Will hit you up when we get down that way.