Walks & Parks
-
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.
read more-
Location:
552 Rapanui Rd,
Westmere 4574
Whanganui
-
Location:
552 Rapanui Rd,
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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.
read more -
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
-
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.
read more
Includes Lyttelton, Akaroa, Governors Bay and Diamond Harbour.- Web: www.bankspeninsulawalks.co.nz/
- Location: Banks Peninsula, Canterbury
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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.
-
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).
read more
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
-
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
-
Bathing Beach - Stewart Island
From the general store, continue uphill to your left on the Horseshoe Bay Road and branch right when you reach Kamahi Road (after about 5 minutes). The signposted track descends on the left to a popular bathing beach.
read more- Location: Stewart Island, Horseshoe Bay Road
-
Worser Bay
Worser Bay has sandy beach areas and calm waters, making it ideal for families. There is a children’s playground and refreshment kiosks nearby.
read more- Location: Marine Parade, Seatoun, Wellington
-
Taupo - Lions Walk
This magnificent walk was formed by the Taupo Lions Club and is an easy, level walk on a pathway bordering the lake edge. The walk follows the lakeshore south where kowhai trees provide shelter for local wildlife including ducks and swans.
read more- Location: Two Mile Bay Boat Ramp
-
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
-
Lake Tekapo Walkway - Tekapo
This mostly flat walk will give you amazing views of the lake and the mountains. Start on the east end of the lake. Information along the walk will fill you in on highlights and history.
- Location: Lake Tekapo
-
Shaky Bridge to Clock - Alexandra
The clock in Alexandra has been an icon since 1968. It's a 20 minute return walk up the rocky path to the 11m clock.
read more-
Location:
Kerry St
Bridge Hill
Alexandra 9320
-
Location:
Kerry St
-
Cox’s Bay - Raglan
This is a sheltered inner-harbour beach which is great for picnics and is safe to take children.
read more- Location: Bayview Road and Daisy Street
-
Kai Iwi Beach - Whanganui
Patrolled during the summer you can swim, fish, laze in the sun, go for long walks and pick through the driftwood. Kai Iwi Beach also has a playground, with a flying fox over a stream and pirate climbing ship.
read more- Location: Kai Iwi 4574
-
Rotorua - Hannahs Bay
This large, flat area lies between Rotorua airport and the shores of Lake Rotorua. There is an all mobility playground, horse bridle trial and a dog exercise area. The reserve has large open spaces for recreational activities and the beach is popular for swimming and windsurfing. There are toilets, BBQs and picnic tables.
read more -
Freyberg Beach
On Oriental Bay, this beach has a play area with rope climbing equipment for older children and a climbing frame for toddlers. There are also picnic tables and toilets.
read more- Location: Oriental Bay, Wellington
North Island
South Island
- Central Otago
- Auckland
- Bay of Plenty
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Coromandel
- Gisborne
- Fiordland
- Hawkes Bay
- Marlborough Sounds
- Manawatu
- Nelson & Golden Bay
- Northland
- North Canterbury
- Queenstown
- Rotorua
- South Canterbury
- Taranaki
- Southland
- Taupo
- Wanaka
- Waikato
- Wellington
- West Coast
- Whangarei
- Bay of Islands
- Tauranga
- Gisborne
- Hamilton
- Napier
- Kapiti
- Palmerston North
- Whanganui
- New Plymouth
- Arrowtown
- Te Anau
- Akaroa
- Ashburton
- Hanmer
- Kaikoura
- Methven
- Mt Cook
- Oamaru
- Tekapo
- Timaru
- Abel Tasman
- Motueka
- Nelson Lakes
- Blenheim
- Picton
- Catlins
- Gore
- Stewart Island
- Central Plateau
- Invercargill
- Cromwell
- Greymouth
- Hokitika
- Westport
- Glenorchy