Walks & Parks

Children's playground, paddle pool, an aviary - with the popular resident Jimmy the cockatiel, flower gardens, and walking paths make this an ideal destination to relax, go for a walk or have a picnic.

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This beach is quite different from any other beach in Doubtless Bay with its pink-coral beach, rockpools and a small lagoon for the children to explore. There is a children’s playground and store nearby.

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This is a 2hr - 14km bike ride ( a section of the 160km 2-4 day trip). Ride through the historic and scenic Karangahake Gorge past gold mines and through the 1km long tunnel.

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Gentle descent through the bush to the beach at Bob’s Cove, then on past the old lime kiln and jetty. This would be a very pleasant half hour return stroll. Otherwise follow the path up to a loop round the cliff top and back down to Bob’s Cove. Stunning views over one of Queenstown’s prettiest inlets.

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Approximately 5 minutes drive from Bluff. Walking time approx 15 minutes one way. Access is signed left off SH1 immediately before Greenpoint cemetery. A peaceful setting for a shoreline walk and picnic with Bluff Harbour views. Suitable for buggies. At low tide it’s possible to walk along the beach. Interpretation panels explain the natural and historic features of this part of Bluff Harbour. At Greenpoint picnic area a viewing platform overlooks the ships’ graveyard and identifies some of Bluff Harbour’s historic landmarks. Visitors should be aware that the nearest public toilets are at Bluff. Note: The railway track is in regular use. Stop, look and listen before crossing.

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White sand and clear waters makes Taupo Bay a popular spot for swimming, surfing or fishing. There sheltered beach is ideal for a family picnic and there are rock pools for the children to explore at low tide. There is a small shop in the nearby holiday park.

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Bowentown, the headland at the southern end of Waihi Beach overlooks Tauranga Harbour. An eight kilometre white sandy beach stretches from Bowentown to Waihi Beach. At the southern end of Waihi Beach, just inside the harbour entrance, is Anzac Bay, a calm beach safe for swimming at all tides or exploring the rockpools and where there are changing rooms and toilets plus shady pohutukawas and barbecues.

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Take a walk through this park to view the wonderful forest and beautiful kauri trees. The track is easy and takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation. During the day you can see kukupa (New Zealand’s only native pigeon), fantails and morepork. Or a guided nightwalk will give you the opportunity to see the forest at night and maybe see kiwi or bats.

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The gardens are situated right on the riverbank, with a large playground, toilets, picnic area, lots of grass to spread out, and Noddy Train rides for the littlies. The train runs year round, every Sunday, and costs just 50c a ride (adults or children) with proceeds going to the Lions Foundation.

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Beautiful lakes, open tussock, grasslands, and beech forest make this a very popular destination in the summer. Many activities are available here including fishing, hiking, biking, or just relaxing and enjoying the scenery. There are options to hike longer distances along the Mavora - Greenstone Walkway, to the Kiwi Burn hut or just a short loop around South Mavora Lake.

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Follow the Port Chalmers road alongside the harbour to this tiny seaside township. There are a number of pathways around the cemetery, providing good views of Careys Bay. For a great beach/picnic spot, follow the Blueskin Road by car, to the beach and river at Purakaunui. Fantastic swimming hole, and fun for kayaks.

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Tongariro Domain has a playground which is suitable for children and there are picnic tables. The Domain’s toilets also offer a parents’ room with a changing table and microwave, sink and toys for the children. The Lion’s Club operates children's rides on the Domain on a small monorail, weather permitting, for $1 per person. Check with the Visitor Centre for train times during the winter months.

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Feel the full force and sound of fresh mountain water falling 131 m down one of New Zealand’s most stunning waterfalls. It's one of our best short walks. 2 km return via same track- 1 hr return. The track starts at the northern end of Arthur's Pass village, just off SH73 at the Punchbowl car park (signposted off the highway). From the start of the walk, follow the footbridge across the Bealey River. The next bridge, over Devils Punchbowl Creek, has a good view of the waterfall. From here, wander through lush beech forest with friendly fantails/pīwakawaka and tomtits before climbing 150 m up a series of steps to a viewing platform at the base of this spectacular waterfall. Return on the same track.

 

 

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Follow the beach region out towards the Dunedin golf course. From here you can walk a gravel track through the golf course and on towards Lawyers Head with its spectacular sea views, or Tomahawk beach – a beautiful, secluded spot. Suitable for buggies, but there are sheer cliffs near Lawyers Head.

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Winding pathways along the banks of the Otepuni Stream, located between Forth and Tyne Streets, provide a refreshing break from the city’s central business district. A few minutes’ walk from the city centre, Otepuni Gardens covers 9.4 hectares and encompasses four city blocks. The gardens were once the main city park, complete with a nursery, display houses and aviaries, but those have now gone, although the charm and beauty of the gardens still remain.

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An attractively landscaped 35 hectare park. Lots of easy walking and bike trails, picnic / bbq spots and toilets. In the centre is Lake Henry - this small lake has a stock of brown trout and has been developed as a children's fishery.

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There are lots of tracks around this region just north of the city centre and near Woodhaugh Gardens. The Upper Reservoir circuit is more suitable for buggies and involves a peaceful walk on a gravel path, following the reservoir. There are steep banks beside some of the tracks, so if you explore this area, please keep small children close to you.

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Peel Forest is located in the foothills of the Southern Alps; turn off SH 72, about 12 km north of Geraldine. Once at the forest, a wide variety of short and long tracks extend into the park but for littlies choose the beginning of the Big Tree Walk, which is suitable for prams and wheelchairs.Explore the largest reserve in the Geraldine area on a variety of tracks. Base yourself at the campsite and take your time.

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Standing in Picton and facing out to sea, the tip of the headland that stretches out to your right is called The Snout. This whole area is known as Victoria Domain and is well stocked with swimming beaches, walking and bike tracks and picnic areas. The whole track, past the Queen Charlotte View and right out to Snout Head takes around 1 ½ hours. There’s a toilet and picnic area at the lookout, and a picnic area right at the end of the headland. Track tends to be slippery when wet, but otherwise an easy walk.

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Dig your own hot pools out of the sand one hour before or after low tide near the rocks and see steam rising from the open sea at high tide. Hot Water Beach is just south of Mercury Bay at the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula and is the remains of volcanic activity. The water can be as hot as 64 degrees centigrade so be careful! There are toilets, cafes and a shop at the car park which sells drinks and ice creams. Spades are available for hire if you forget to take your own. Swimming is not safe for children at this beach because of the strong surf.

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This is the safest beach in Raglan for swimming. It is accessible from either the road or from the footbridge at the lower end of Bow Street. The beach is black-sand but is popular with families. There is a children’s playground.

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A popular recreation reserve for mountain bikers and walkers. Drive past the Botanic Gardens and then on up Signal Hill road. There are well developed mountain bike and walking tracks. The mountain bike tracks range from easy to very technical. These are defined by coloured markers - yellow is easiest, blue is intermediate and red is expert only.

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This park is located within the central business district and has large, grassed playing fields, a skate park and a children’s playground. Toilets and drinking fountains are available and at the weekends and during school and public holidays there is live entertainment at the Victoria Park Market which has more than 85 shops, cafes and restaurants and sells arts and crafts, souvenirs, fashion and sportswear.

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