Walks & Parks
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The Coastal Walkway, New Plymouth
This is an excellent, completely flat walkway that is also perfect for family bike rides. You can start the walk from the middle of New Plymouth, just in front of the iSite, and head alongside the Tasman Sea towards Bells Block. You will pass the famous, 45 metre Wind Wand sculpture along with a number of interesting stone carvings, before passing the popular surf beaches of Fitzroy and East End. There are plenty of good picnic spots and a playground enroute, before you arrive at the must-see Te Rewa Rewa Bridge. From the town centre, if you head in the other direction - west, the walkway winds past the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre, Kawaroa Park and playground then heads to the marina at the port and Ngamotu Beach - a safe swimming beach for the family.
read more- Location: New Plymouth, Taranaki
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Avalon Park
Avalon Park is a six hectare park has a great range of features, including the Avalon Park Playground which is open every day and is free. Aimed at preschoolers to 12-year-olds and designed to appeal to families. It has a mix of contemporary and traditional play equipment within a specially-designed landscape. Plus there are lots of other activities to keep the whole family entertained, including beginners’ cycle circuit with various intersections and surfaces, model train (charge applies), mini putt golf, skate park, model marine boating pond, public tennis court, sculptures and more. Make use of the free electric barbecues and picnic tables. Spend the day and play!
read more- Location: 61 Taita Dr, Avalon, Lower Hutt 5011
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Bason Botanic Gardens - Whanganui
Bason Botanic Garden is rated a “Garden of Significance” by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. It includes one of the most extensive public garden orchid collections in New Zealand. Families enjoy their time here making use of the wide open spaces and free gas BBQ facilities.
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Location:
552 Rapanui Rd,
Westmere 4574
Whanganui
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Location:
552 Rapanui Rd,
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Mount Taranaki Walks
A must-visit of the region is the Egmont National Park and there are plenty of short walks around the foothills or sides of Mt Taranaki (also known as Mt Egmont). During summer you can also tackle the all-day hike to the summit (very strenuous, 8-10 hours return, 2518m).
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The two 'starting off' points for day hikes are North Egmont Visitor Centre, nearest village Egmont Village, or Dawson Falls Visitor Centre on the southern side, nearest town, Stratford.
From here you can choose a walk or hike to suit your family's ability and fitness, from just a few minutes to 10 hours (Mt Taranaki summit climb). Some of the 3-4 hour walks are long enough to get you up high on the mountain with amazing views of the summit and right across flat farmland to the sea. They are short enough to be do-able for reasonably fit families. There are also overnight huts on the mountain and the most famous multi-day tramp is the Around the Mountain Circuit (4-5 dayas)- Location: Mt Taranaki National Park, nr New Plymouth
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Whareroa Farm tracks
Enjoy regenerating shrubland, coastal views and kohekohe forest on these walks that are suitable for children. Walks range from 355 metres to 13.4km - there is something for everyone. Plus some great mountain bike tracks to play on, and even a horse riding track. Lots of room to play!
read more- Location: Whareroa Farm, Queen Elizabeth Park off-ramp about 3.5 km north of Paekakariki on SH1.
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Kauaeranga Valley hiking trails
The Kauaeranga Valley is located 15 minutes out of Thames and is a beautiful and historic location for the entire family. With walks/tramps that last from 10 minutes to a full day, a well informed visitors centre, camping, cottages, swimming holes, a café through summer and canyoning, there's activities to suit everyone.
read more- Location: Kauaeranga Valley, 15 minutes from Thames
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Banks Peninsula Walks
This awesome and easy to explore site lists all the walking and tramping tracks on beautiful Banks Peninsula near Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Includes Lyttelton, Akaroa, Governors Bay and Diamond Harbour.- Web: www.bankspeninsulawalks.co.nz/
- Location: Banks Peninsula, Canterbury
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Whinray Scenic Reserve
There a couple different options to custom fit this trail to your time frame. Either a 30 minute walk from the car park on Motu Falls Road or a 2.5 hour walk from Marumoko Road to the Motu Falls Car Park.
read more- Location: Motu 4092
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Matiu / Somes Island Loop Track
Island walking! The kids will love the ferry ride from Queens Wharf and this easy 40 min walking track has plenty to keep kids interested. This loop track around Matiu/Somes Island offers 360 degree views of Wellington harbour - with native wildlife, remnants from the world wars, historic quarantine buildings, and a lighthouse. The island is open to the public from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm daily. This track takes you around Matiu/Somes Island, offering spectacular views across Wellington Harbour to Wellington and Hutt cities. Pause along the way to check out the island’s historic and ecological attractions, including introduced wildlife which are thriving in native vegetation planted by Lower Hutt Forest and Bird since 1981.
read more- Location: Wellington Harbour
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Barrett Domain and Lake Mangamahoe, New Plymouth
A good venue for a family day out - pack a picnic and hang out on the shores of Lake Mangamahoe. There are lots of walking and easy mountain bike tracks. It takes about 2 hours to walk the round the lake circuit, and there are some undulating sections so reasonable fitness is required. There are other walks that take 10-20 minutes, and a section of dedicated mountain bike trails.
read more- Location: nr Egmont Village, New Plymouth
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Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
Wander through this inner-city botanical wonderland to discover lakes, a zoo, historic tea house, playground and countless short walks, as well as a Fernery and Display Houses and a Japanese-inspired hillside.
read more- Location: Fillis Street, New Plymouth
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Makara Walkway
This loop walk climbs to vantage points with spectacular views - farmland, a beach and gun emplacements will keep kids interested.This 6km loop walk climbs to vantage points with spectacular views, and returning along the beach. The high cliffs and spectacular views for centuries have provided the people of the area with good vantage points for the defence of their land. A Ngati Ira pa site lies on the promontory at the western end of Fisherman's Bay, and gun emplacements at the top of the cliffs mark the position of Fort Opau, which was garrisoned by 100 soldiers during World War II.
- Location: 1099 Makara Rd, Makara Beach, Wellington 6972
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Best Beaches :: Taranaki
Round up the family and head to one of the region's superb beaches! Great choices include Back Beach, Centennial Drive, East End Beach, Nobs Line, Fitzroy Beach, Beach St, Ngamotu Beach, Ocean View Parade, Oakura Beach, Jans Terrace, Oakura. East End, Fitzroy and Oakura are the only beaches in New Zealand to be awarded the Blue Flag eco-label for their environmental, education and safety status.
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Colonial Knob Walk
Climb to the summit of this 468 m peak for views on clear day from the Inland Kaikoura Range in the south to Mt Taranaki in the north-west - it's a good option for older children. 3-5 hr return. You'll think you've sprouted wings when you reach the top of the 468 metre high hill rising to the west of Porirua City. From this lofty perch on a clear day you can view many other high points - from the Inland Kaikoura Range in the south to Mt Taranaki in the north-west.
read more- Location: Rangituhi
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Biking - McLeans Island
Part of the Waimakariri River Regional Park, the McLeans Track is a well-built, smooth 10km mountain bike track that is ideal for family biking. There are plenty of twists and turns, bumps and small ups and downs, to make it great fun, without being too technical. Ideal for beginner bikers or family groups! Plenty of parking at the start of the track, and there's also a cabin open at weekends, selling bottled water, drinks, muffins and other goodies. You can even rent bikes (for both kids and adults) and helmets, at the start of the track (weekends only, or by arrangement from On Your Bike - 03 348 1738).
read more- Location: Opposite Orana Wildlife, McLeans Island Road, off Johns Road, Christchurch
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Hawkes Bay - Ocean Beach
One of the best beaches in Hawkes Bay with 10 kilometres of golden sand, Ocean beach is extremely popular with holiday makers in the summer months. The waters are safe for swimming, although a current will carry you down the beach a little. Lifeguards patrol during the busiest months. Ocean Beach is relatively undeveloped with no shops nearby, so bring your own food!
read more- Location: South East of Hastings, nth of Waimarama
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Moeraki Boulders - Oamaru
An unique beach experience as the beach is filled with massive round boulders - some which are split open to expose the layers beneath. A fun natural playground to explore and have a wander. It's a short walk down to the beach with parking at the cafe.
read more- Location: Moeraki Village, Oamaru, New Zealand
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Matai Bay - Kari Kari Peninsula
Two crescent shaped coves form beautiful Matai Bay. With its fine sand and safe swimming, it is a very popular beach for families and is a great place for a picnic.
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Te Puna Quarry Park - Bay of Plenty
This family friendly park is being developed by volunteers from a disused quarry into a world class park. There are ponds, tree ferns and other plants plus stone sculptures by local artists. The walking tracks are easy for the moderately fit. Open every day during daylight hours.
read more- Location: Te Puna, Quarry Road, Bay of Plenty
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Wairau Lagoons Walkway - Blenheim
This flat loop track (3hrs), is ideal for kids with the added incentive of seeing a shipwreck, it follows the lagoon shoreline to the rusting remains of the Waverley ship. There are plenty of birds to see here – a bird book and pair of binoculars would be a useful addition to your equipment.. There is no fresh water here so carry some with you on the hot, dry days.
read more- Location: Hardings Road, which leaves State Highway 1, 5 km south of Blenheim.
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Caroline Bay Park - Timaru
A beautiful parkland that offers playgrounds, waterplay areas, boardwalks and pathways.
read more- Location: Timaru Port, Timaru 7910
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Scorcher Bay
This popular sun-bathing beach is very sheltered, with a large grassy area, sandy beach and great views. Refreshments are available at the Chocolate Fish café nearby, a family friendly café offering all day breakfasts and paninis as well as smoothies, salads and pasta.
read more- Location: Miramar Peninsula
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Bethunes Gully and Mount Cargill - Dunedin
If you’re feeling fit, the views from Mount Cargill (676m) are definitely worth the steep climb. The track starts at the Bethunes Gully carpark and playground. Follow an easy walk alongside Lindsay Creek, cross the bridge and start climbing! The track is okay for buggies if you have energy, but there are steep steps near the summit that would require a bit more negotiating!
read more- Location: Dunedin - 15 km north of Dunedin City
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Baldwin Street - Dunedin
You can’t visit Dunedin without tackling the world’s steepest street! The gradient is 1:2.86 – that means for every 2.86 metres travelled horizontally you climb (or descend) by 1 metre. There is a shop with memorabilia and information at the bottom and a bench and drinking fountain at the top! If you’re around in February, look out for the annual event “the Gutbuster’. Around 1000 competitors run up the street and down again. Meanwhile in July the annual, zany street entertainment on offer involves the rolling of around 10,000 jaffas (kiwi spherical red sweets – chocolate centre with a hard red coating) down the street. Each jaffa is sponsored by one person, with prizes to the owner of the winning sweets and proceeds to charity.
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