The Bay of Islands Walking Weekend will be expanded to a walking week next year following the success of the inaugural event.
Organiser Riki Kinnaird, of Russell's Duke of Marlborough Hotel, said the October 4-6 event drew 300 keen walkers from as far away as Australia, most of whom said they would come back for more next year.
"People were blown away by Northland, Northland people and Northland produce," he said.
The weekend featured 20 walks ranging from one-hour strolls focussing on history and culture to the challenging hike from Deep Water Cove to Cape Brett lighthouse. Another walk combined a climb to the pa atop Motuarohia Island and a loop walk taking in four different bays on Moturua Island with yacht transport inbetween.
Mr Kinnaird said 420 walks were sold with 90 per cent of participants from Auckland south. Groups of four booked from Sydney and Canberra.