Walks & Parks

This stretch of golden sand is in the picturesque settlement of Waipatiki, 45 minutes north of Napier and a short walk from the car park. The sandy area of the beach is flanked by cliffs and the beach is reported to be a good place to find paua shells, although the current here is strong so swimming is not recommended. There is a beach picnic area, toilets and a camping ground nearby.

Resting place of The Rainbow Warrior, Matauri Bay looks out to the Cavelli Islands. This golden, sandy beach, which is over a kilometre long and has crystal clear water, is safe for swimming and excellent for surfing at high tide and fishing. Maturi Bay has its own beachfront camping ground and general store.

This is an easy walkway that circles the Pancake Rock formations. A viewing highlight are the blowholes – the Chimney is a favourite. These are narrow cracks or holes that run from the sea right up through the rock. When the waves rush in, the water funnels up these holes and spurts from the top like steam from a train. Best viewing time for this phenomenon is at high tide, and/or in rough weather. You can find out tide and weather conditions from Punakaiki information centre.

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.

There are a couple of options around the Blue Lake area in St. Bathans - the 2km, 50 min option will take you on a loop that skirt a portion of Blue Lake. A 3km, 90min return option will take you all the way around Blue Lake.

A quick stretch your legs walk on the way to Milford Sound. A 15 minute return walk over the Cleddau River offer dramatic views of a series of powerful waterfalls.

As you drive from Frankton, you'll see a carpark at the end of the Ladies Mile Road, as you descend towards Lake Hayes, or continue to the pavilion where there' s lots of parking. The track is either well-graded, or a wooden walkway, to create an easy stroll around the lake, famous for its stunning reflections. Native birds to be seen along the way include the deep blue pukeko, also known as the New Zealand Swamp Hen! There are some inclines, but they're pretty short, and mostly the track is easy. There are toilet facilities at the recreation and picnic area at the Arrowtown end of the lake, which is also a great spot to pause for a dip in the lake! The path has some steep drop offs at some points, so keep small children with you.

This beach on the southern shores of Lake Tarawera is only accessible by boat and there is a ferry that can take you across from Boat Shed Bay. Hot Water Beach is administered by the Department of Conservation. There is a self-registration, user pays, camping area on site and you can bathe in the hot mineral waters that are around 38 degrees, so take your swimsuit. There are toilets on site.

This scenic leisurely walk follows the Clutha River from Wanaka to Albert Town. You can park at the town end of Penrith Beach and walk from here, or access the Outlet carpark via the Outlet Motor Camp along Anderson road. Great for biking.

Nine kilometers south of Waipu, Waipu Cove has a white sandy beach which is popular for swimming and surfing. The east side of the cove offers safer swimming for small children. There are toilets, picnic tables, BBQ's as well as convenience stores and cafes. Lifeguards patrol part of the beach during the summer.

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!

Located 7km west of Invercargill, drive to Oreti Beach on Dunns Road. The domain entrance is just after the Oreti River bridge and consists of over 2000 hectares of dunes, beach and bush. Also of interest is the ancient sand dune forest of wind sculptured Totara and Matai. The domain features several toilets and picnic/BBQ areas, and there are two playgrounds located in the Sandy Point Domain. Sandy Point is popular for various local activities or clubs: horsetrekking, kayaking, motor sports, mountain biking, paintball, rugby, rodeo, shooting sports, surf life saving and water skiing. There are also around 14km of walking tracks, making it easy to explore Sandy Point on foot. Example walks: Hatches Hill Lookout (5 minutes, one way) The track is signed at the turn off to Noki Kaik Beach. The lookout provides panoramic views across the New River Estuary to Invercargill and south to Bluff and Stewart Island. The track continues to the picnic area at Noki Kaik (15 minutes one way). Daffodil Bay to Hatches Hill (45 minutes one way) the track entrance is signed from the picnic area. It combines good estuary views with the unusual Totara-Matai forest so characteristic of this area. McShanes Track (25 minutes return) starts opposite the settlement of Cooper’s Creek and passes through an attractive remnant of native forest. At the Loop Road, cross the traffic barrier and turn left to return to Coopers Creek.

Otaki Forks is 19 km inland from Otaki township, approximately one and a half hours’ drive from Wellington and is the main entrance to Tararua Forest Park. The two tributaries of the Waiotauru River and Waitatapia Stream meet here. The last five kilometres of the Otaki Gorge Road is unsealed, narrow and windy so care needs to be taken when driving.

There are a number of short tracks which descend from Otaki Gorge Road into the gorge, giving access for picnicking, swimming, fishing and watersports. Boielle Flat, next to the Waiotauru River, is a popular picnic area and has flush toilets. The Waiotauru River has several safe swimming pools.

The views from here are worth the visit, on clear days you can see as far as Mt Ruapehu, Mt Taranaki and out across the horizon. You can stand directly beneath a turbine and read all about how they work. With giant turbine blades whirring overhead, these surreal machines are quite a spectacle to behold.

Whites Bay has walks for a range of abilities, including kids - there are rocky areas for scrambling and exploring and a near-flat sandy beach that's excellent for swimming too. Pukatea Walk (10 min) meanders down to the cable station alongside Pukatea Stream passing through regenerating forest. Black Jack Track (1 hr return or 1 hr 30 min to complete the loop) climbs to a superb viewpoint on the edge of a bluff where Te Whanganui/Port Underwood, Cook Strait and Cape Campbell can be seen. Children need to be closely supervised here. Return the same way or complete a longer, loop option by winding slowly down through regenerating forest. Rarangi Bay–Whites Bay Track (1 hr one way) zig-zags up from Whites Bay to the Port Underwood Road through a pine plantation, then follows the road for about 500m before descending to Rarangi, near the Monkey Bay track. Monkey Bay Walk (20 min return) leads around a rocky point and into Monkey Bay, with its small beach. A lookout point near the beginning of the track offers good views and has signs explaining the way that sea currents have formed Rarangi Beach over thousands of years.

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!

These short, easy walks feature limestone arches, caves with critters and a tarn with reflections of the surrounding rainforest - plenty to keep kids interested. Crazy Paving Cave (10 min return) take a torch and follow a short bush track to the cave entrance. Be extra careful not to step off the track and not to step on any of the large spiders that live in the cave.The unusual floor pattern was created over long period of time from deposits of mud which have dried out forming paving patterns on the cave floor. Take a look at the ceiling – another example of nature’s art. Box Canyon Cave (10 min return) At the end of the main track, carefully descend the steps to the cave. Explore its blocky recesses in complete freedom and take a hard look at the ceiling for fossils - look but don’t touch. Cave dwellers such as weta, spiders, and bettles live in the darkness. Have a look at these interesting insects, but be careful not to disturb them. Mirror Tarn (30 min) a sign points along a bush track toward this secretive spot. A pool full of dark water reflects tall trees and rich birdsong fills the air. Here you are called on to joyfully reflect on the foresight of a local bushman who noted the rimu trees around the tarn had been tagged for felling and his successful argument to have the beauty preserved. Oparara Arch (25 min, one way) From the first car park a well-formed track leads up the Oparara riverbank, through beech and podocarp forest and past limestone outcrops. The arch is 219 metres long with sides 79 metres apart and a roof 43 metres above the river that carved the impressive feature.

A short drive from downtown Auckland is Mission Bay, a child friendly swimming beach with a playground, fountain and picnic area. Walk along the promenade or there is plenty of room for games in the park. Kayaks and rollerblades can be hired during the summer months. Further along Tamaki Drive is St Helier’s Beach, a one kilometre long, white, sandy beach with a children’s playground.

Ten minutes north of Tutukaka, this magnificent crescent shaped bay with beautiful white sand is a great place for families for surfing, kayaking or just walking along the beach.

A walk of around one hour will take you along an easy graded track from the Rangatira Point Track through the bush around to Whakamoenga Point. There are good views across the lake from many points along the walkway.

This free hot mineral pool has recently been upgraded. The mineral water is piped directly from an adjacent spring. As with all hot pools, it is advisable that you keep your head above water at all times to avoid the risk of contracting amoebic meningitis. Toilets and changing rooms are on-site.

The whole track takes 3 – 5 days to complete, but there are plenty of places to enter and exit the track, making some fantastic half or full day walks. Anakiwa is right by the water ( and the one point you can drive in to - other places you will need a water taxi), with picnic spots and toilets. You can start the track here and either return by the same path or come out at Mistletoe Bay. A pleasant, undulating walk of around 4 hours, with a mix of high up, sea views, native bush and mature beeches. If you feel like a good uphill grunt, start from the Portage Hotel and make your way up to one of the track’s highest points – the Kenepuru Saddle, with breathtaking views of the surrounding Sounds. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the treeline and view points, although there are plenty of lookouts on the way.

Punakaiki Cavern. Take as long as you like to explore. Grab your torches and you can go way back into the depths. A wooden stairway gives access to 130 m of safe passages with a few stalactites and the odd glow worm. Plenty of fun for all ages, so long as a good torch (and preferably a spare) is carried. Access: Signposted beside the main road 500 m north of the visitor center at Punakaiki.