Air New Zealand rolls out bag tracking app

If you’re planning on doing one of pack-free guided walks in New Zealand we have some interesting news.

After a trial period earlier this year, Air New Zealand has extended its live bag tracking feature to all Air NZ app users from today, allowing passengers to follow their luggage from check-in to arrival in-destination.

Air New Zealand introduced its baggage tracking program in April 2023 for select domestic flights, extending the pilot program to 25 per cent of app users and five per cent of users on short international flights in May.

Passengers on the airline’s domestic and international services will now be able to track the last recorded status of their bag through the airport processing system, onto the aircraft and when it arrives at their destination.

So with this in mind which one of our South Island pack-free guided walks would you like to try?

First up is the 4-day Best of Abel Tasman Coast Track walk. Sitting on the top of the South Island is NZ’s iconic Abel Tasman National Park filled with rich native forests, beautiful beaches and idyllic inlets.

This 4-day walk (plus one pre-tour night) will take you by private boat to the finest parts of the Abel Tasman Coast Track meaning you miss out on the least interesting parts the walk.

Accommodation is next level. Tucked away on the edge of a forest is the secluded Awaroa Lodge featuring a bar, library, cosy log fireplace, outdoor courtyard and the superb Harakeke Restaurant where you’ll be dining.

Next up is the 3-day Queen Charlotte Track running along the coast of the scenic Marlborough Sounds. You’ll discover ancient beech forests, fern-fringed coves and traverse ridgelines revealing breathtaking views of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru sounds.

Once again, accommodation is first-class. You’ll spend two nights at charming Furneaux Lodge on the waterfront at Endeavour Inlet. Built-in the early 1900s at the foot of Mount Furneaux, the lodge is set on three acres and surrounded by native forest.

And for those wanting to extend their NZ stay, you can combine both trips over six days and really have some stories to tell the relatives back home!

And right down the bottom of the South Island we have our 5-day Fiordland Four Great Walks showcasing the iconic Fiordland National Park. You’ll get to experience parts of the Milford, Routeburn, Kepler Track and Hollyford tracks.

And of course accommodation and meals are first class. And did we mention the wine?!