Walks & Parks

Baldwin Street, in Dunedin, is reputed to be the world's steepest street, with an average slope ratio of 1:5. It's steepest section has a gradient of 1:2.86 so for every 2.86 metres travelled horizontally, the elevation rises by one metre. The street is the venue for an annual event in Dunedin, the "Baldwin Street Gutbuster", every summer since 1988 (usually in February). This exercise in fitness and balance involves athletes running from the base of the street to the top and back down again. Since 2002, a further charity event has been held annually in July, which involves the rolling of over 30,000 Jaffas (spherical candy-coated chocolate sweets). Each jaffa is sponsored by one person, with prizes to the winner and funds raised going to charity.

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For an easy overnight tramp, great for kids, walk to Speargrass Hut on this well graded track. 2 hr 30 min one way - this well graded track descends gradually from the carpark. It follows the river along the valley floor then climbs up through beautiful beech forest to Speargrass Hut ( 12 bunk beds) – set in clearing with mountain views.

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Kaituna Track begins approximately 15 km from Collingwood. Follow the main road from Collingwood to Bainham inland to where Carters Road begins, on a tight corner. The car park is at the end of the road. The track starts from the car park at the end of Carters Road and continues right through to Westhaven Inlet on the West Coast (8–9 hours). Most people, however, walk only to the site of the old Kaituna gold workings (20 min) or on to Kaituna Forks, a 2-hour return trip. The Kaituna Goldfield was first worked in 1859 and continued until the late 1800s, although little gold was ever recovered. The present track follows the original packhorse track to the Kaituna goldfield. From the car park, cross Little Granity Creek using the footbridge and follow the farm track for 400 metres to the start of the walk. A short track takes you past the remains of gold- sluicing operations, water races, tailing piles and a small cave. The side track then cuts back onto the main track. Beyond the Kaituna Forks, the track changes to a ‘route’ and is suitable only for experienced and fit trampers. At the forks there is a river crossing which is impassable in flood. From here it is a further 5–6 hours over a marked route to Knuckle Hill. Beautiful native forest and gold-mining relics are the main attractions of the Kaituna Valley. Magnificent specimens of northern rātā, pukatea and rimu tower over a sub-canopy of nīkau palms, heketara, wineberry, kāmahi, and māhoe. The rich forest and mild climate allow a wide range of birds to flourish: kererū (the New Zealand pigeon), tūī, fantail, tomtit, bush robin, rifleman, silvereye and bellbird.

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Climb through mountain beech forest to the spectacular 41 metre high Dog Stream Waterfall. The winding and moderately steep trail begins at the top of McIntyres Road (accessed off Jollies Pass Road) and heads up the stream edge through dense native forest. The walk is interesting and varied as it traverses the watershed just above the deep gutter of Dog Stream, (parents with young children need to take care at several places along this track), climbing up wooden stairways in the forest and sidling along small cliff faces to reach the rock face and small basin into which the waterfall plummets. A suggested round trip is to return via the Spur Track and Fir Trail.

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Enjoy the coastal views on this walkway between Rotokura/Cable Bay and The Glen, near Nelson. Boating, sea kayaking, and snorkeling are all possible. Cable Bay Walkway extends from Glenduan to Cable Bay, north of Nelson City. The hilly coastal track passes through a mix of pasture, pine forest and native forest, and provides impressive views of Tasman Bay and Cable Bay. The walk can be completed in either direction and is best enjoyed if you have someone to pick you up at the other end. The complete walk takes about 3½ hours one way, and requires transport arrangements to be made. From the Rotokura/Cable Bay end a shorter return trip is to the top of the first hill (1 hr return) or to the forest edge (2 hr return). From the Glen end, a round trip to the airstrip and back takes about 2 hours. Cable Bay Walkway offers wonderful coastal views of the Boulder Bank, Nelson City and Kahurangi and Abel Tasman National Parks. The middle section of the track passes through a patch of beautiful and varied native forest.The track is a walking track. It is steep in places and strong footwear is recommended.

 

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A perfect miniature of a traditional Chinese landscape painting, it's origins come from a desire to celebrate the city’s Chinese heritage and its valuable sister city relationship with Shanghai.

The Garden changes with the seasons and vistas and hidden corners appear unexpectedly so you see something different every time you visit.

Bring a picnic, try some puzzles and games or simply wander and soak up the tranquility of the only authentic Chinese Scholar’s Garden in the Southern Hemisphere.

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2 hr 30 min return. The Chatterton River Track provides something a little different to the other walks in the Hanmer Forest region in that it is less visited, a little remote, and has an seclusion not easily found along the more popular walks. Beginning on Chatterton Road, about 1.2km north of the Alpine Adventure Camp (there is a gate here that is sometimes locked making it necessary to walk this section as well), the track heads down to the stream which it then follows all the way to the valley head. Higher up mature stands of mountain beech will be encountered as well as groves of ferns and some relatively steep sections of track as the route makes its way up the south face of Jacks Pass to the broad summit. At the pass there is a spectacular view here of the Hanmer Range peaks and over into the Clarence Valle.

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One of the most beautiful beaches in the region – huge sand dunes, lagoon, caves, seals, birdlife and no roads nearby! Access is by easy path – from the end of Wharariki Road, walk over farmland and through a section of coastal forest to the beach. Please do not approach seals. Be aware of weather conditions and sea and surf can be rough. Fossil Point Loop – easy 1 hr return From the carpark, walk across Triangle Flat to see fossils in the mudstone and seals in the water. Return via Ocean Beach and a vehicle track. Pakawau Beach Good family swimming beach with shallow, warm waters. 15 minutes north of Colllingwood. Watching the speed of the tide flow into or out of the inlet is an experience in itself!

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Rawhiti Cave has possibly the most diverse and extensive entrance and twilight-zone flora of any cave in New Zealand. This flora influences the growth of calcium-based features in the cave; hence the stalactites on the cave ceiling grow outwards towards the sunlight.. You can walk onto a viewing platform just inside the cave entrance. From Takaka, drive east towards Pohara Beach. At Motupipi, turn right into Glenview Road and then left into Packard Road. Rawhiti Cave is signposted from near the end of Packard Road. A rough track follows the legal road through farm land to an informal car park. Please leave the gates as you find them. It takes approximately 15 minutes to drive from Takaka to the carpark. Just after you leave the car park you cross Dry River. After heavy rain, this river is prone to flooding: do not attempt to cross in these conditions. From here, the marked route continues up the valley for 30 minutes and turns sharply right. It then climbs steeply for a further 30 minutes, zigzagging up to the cave entrance. The last section of the track is steep and narrow; reasonable fitness and tramping experience is required for this section.

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A range of walks in wild, native bush. The Waitahinga Trails are located about 12 kms past Bushy Park, inland from Kai Iwi Beach, and are a collection of walks in native bush catering for various fitness levels. There are various walks of different lengths that make a great half day or full day outing in the hinterlands of Whanganui!

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This spectacular all-ages, all-abilities playground is named after one of Canterbury's much-loved authors, Margaret Mahy. Plenty of thought and planning has gone into making the playground an amazing place for all. Here's what you'll find:
- Playground equipment, like the 4 metre wide-slide and double flying fox.
- Sand play, swings, rockers and a crawl tunnel for toddlers.
- Water cannons, sprinklers and a splash pad with controllable jets.
- Separate activity zones for different age groups.
- Food and beverage retailers - Rollickin' Gelato, Berry Healthy Real Fruit Ice Cream, Mo Coffee and Bueno Cantina.
- Lawn picnic areas and seating.
- Public toilet, change facilities and shade canopy.
- And plenty more to discover!
The Playground is free to visit and open all day everyday. There is a free car park at 177 Armagh Street.

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Situated in peaceful, relaxing surroundings you can enjoy panoramic harbour views. Stroll among the gorgeous flowers which integrate with native ferns, exotic imports and indigenous NZ trees thato showcase 120 years of conservation and expansion of our botanical heritage. A great place to visit with the family and there is a restaurant onsite open for lunch Thursday-Sunday from 11am-3.30pm.

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 Aorere Goldfields Track is a 3-hour loop (9km from Collingwood), which gives you access to explore some of the more accessible gold-mining remnants, including the Slate River Sluicing Company Dam (‘Druggans Dam’) and the Aorere Caves. Boots and a degree of fitness are recommended. As there is little shade along the track, sun protection is also required. From the car park a 4WD track passes an old ground–sluicing claim worked in the 1880s and continues onto the large open area partly covered by pākihi vegetation, which is Druggans Flat. From here the track climbs steadily, passing a side track that leads to the untouched bush of Stanton’s Creek. It then follows part of the original benched miners’ track. At the first junction, continue straight ahead. On the right you pass the end of a water race and a tunnel before the short side track to Stafford’s Cave. Stafford’s Cave and Ballroom Cave (accessed by short side tracks a little further on) can both be explored if you are equipped with appropriate clothing, a torch and some care. Early miners recorded their names on some of the formations within these caves; please take care not to disturb these. Ballroom Cave is reputed to have been used by miners as avenue for dances. From here it is another 20–30 minutes to the dam. On a fine day your effort is rewarded on this section of the track with excellent views of the Wakamarama and Burnett ranges, Ruataniwha Inlet and north to Farewell Spit.

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New Zealand’s smallest National Park at just 225sq km. Both the inland and coastal tracks are famous for their outstanding beauty, and it’s very easy to take the family on small sections of the coastal track (total is 51km), walking for anything from an hour, half or full day. You can then arrange to pick up a water taxi back to Marahau or Kaiteriteri. The track starts at Marahau, just outside the Park Café. From here you walk along the boardwalks for about 5 minutes, to the start of the actual track. Short walk - the first section of the track is very easy and you can be picnicking on a secluded beach within 20 minutes, admiring the turquoise waters, golden sand and inquisitive birdlife. Other walking options - If you carry on to the first hut on the track, at Anchorage Bay, you’re in for a stunning walk but it’ll be 4 to 5 hours. Water taxis have a scheduled pick up from Anchorage to Marahau, and the last departure is around 3.30pm. Check this before you leave, or book a personalised pick up service. Water taxi cruise / walk – all water taxi companies also offer tours where you can be dropped off at a scenic section of the park and walk for a few hours before you are picked up again. See individual companies for more details.

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A popular beach and picnic spot, 15 minutes drive west of Nelson. The island is reachable by a bridge that crosses the estuary behind the island. Most of the island is pine plantations, with a public picnic area in the middle of the front beach. Toilets, changing rooms and outside showers are at the beach. Also picnic tables and coin operated BBQs. The gates are closed at sunset and overnight stays are not allowed so be ready to leave before it gets dark. There is a large sign near the entrance which lets you know what time the gates will be closing that day (in the middle of summer it’s around 9pm).

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This walk takes in Nelson's premier children's playground - the Lions Playground. Time: 50 - 70 minutes walking. The playground time is over to you! Easy walk over sand. Check the newspaper for tide times when planning this walk. This walk goes past a rollerskating area, and Nelson Fun park as well as havong a BMX track close by. Bring a picnic and make a day of it. Start: Tahunanui Reserve car park by the Lions Playground. Cross the playground and head to the left on Tahunanui Beach. There's plenty to interest children on the beach, and in summer (or a fine winter's day) you can swim. The view of ships coming and going from the port is impressive and if you're taking an evening stroll, the sunsets are a treat. Turn left when the main beach ends and head down the Back Beach to the point where the sand hills end at the entrance to a small inlet. From here wander through the trees back towards the carpark.

 

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At Pakawau, turn left off the main road and head over Pakawau Saddle, turning right on to Kaihoka Road just before Whanganui Inlet. Follow this road for 6 kilometres to Kaihoka Lakes Scenic Reserve. Coastal hills form a dramatic backdrop to these beautiful lakes. A 10-minute walking track begins beside one lake and heads gently down to the other. There is space to picnic at the car park and further along the road next to the lake. The reserve is distinguished by its massed nīkau palms, which give the walk a tropical feel. Here and there, dense glades of young mataī, kahikatea, cedar and tānekaha indicate that the forest is recovering after past disturbance. Large, carnivorous Powelliphanta snails live in the reserve and a variety of water fowl can be seen on the lakes. Shags, paradise ducks, Canada geese and grey ducks all find shelter there among the raupō (bullrushes) and reeds.

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The Nelson region has endless golden beaches ideal for swimming, sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing etc. Some of our top picks are: • Tahunanui beach, Nelson – great for families. Safe swimming and plenty of other activities nearby for the kids. Great place for a picnic or BBQ. • Kaiteriteri - three great beaches on your doorstep, all safe for swimming, perfect for family holidays. • Cloudy Bay – unspoilt and quiet beach. Check out the rest of the coastline too. • Golden Bay - lots of safe swimming beaches. The golden sand beaches start East of Tarakohe harbour. The shallow tidal beaches like Pohara, Ligar Bay can be very warm when the tide comes in over the warm sand. If the tide is out, Tata beach always has deep water and this is a great swimming beach. • The walk to Taupo Point in Abel Tasman National Park (about 1 hour and at mid to low tide) passes some lovely beaches. • Totaranui beach, western end of the Abel Tasman National Park – stunning! • Wainui - secluded and can be more sheltered from any westerly winds

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Walk up to Sylvester Hut as day walk or overnight tramp with children - enjoy great views from the hut and explore a series of lakes on the open tops behind the hut. Sylvester Hut is an easy-ish two hour climb on an old 4WD track from a small carpark over the Cobb Dam, through beech forest until you get out onto the tussock tops. Not far away are the pretty Lake Sylvester and a few smaller alpine tarns. There is a major view to the east, D’Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds, the Richmond Range. You can even see Mt Taranaki on a clear day. Sylvester Hut is one of the best bang for your bucks around: close to the road, great hut, excellent views.

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