New Zealand Walks

Leigh Harbour

2012-10-13T13:12:00.002-07:00

Fishing Boats at Leigh Harbour

Start at the Leigh boat ramp and follow the track around the harbour. At high tide the start of the track may be wet and an alternative access is from Ferndale Avenue. The track passes the Jolly Fisherman’s Lodge, passes over a small bridge and through native bush. Good views over the harbour and wharf. Marked side tracks lead up through the bush. It finishes at a sandy beach which is good for swimming at high tide. Allow one hour return.

Goat Island Coastal Walk

2012-10-13T13:11:00.001-07:00

Goat Island Walkway

This walkway begins just inside the Leigh Marine Laboratory gate, crosses farmland to the cliff edge and follows the fence line. There are spectacular views to Goat Island. The track descends into a valley of native bush and emerges at Tabletop Reef. Sit and enjoy views to Little Barrier Island. Allow two hours return.
The track is currently being upgraded and will eventually be a loop walk with various starting points.

Atiu Creek

2012-03-27T01:20:00.002-07:00

View over the Kaipara Harbour

Another of Auckland's regional parks. This one is in the northern area out from Wellsford and past Port Albert. It's well signposted till you get to the gate. Chooks are quick to greet visitors. We started to the left walking past the first pou and around the perimeter of the park. Very up and down, gravelly road with views over the Kaipara Harbour. Another larger pou about half way and some friendly sheep to pass through, before returning to the start.

Kai Iwi Lakes

2012-02-22T22:42:00.000-08:00

The beautiful Kai iwi Lakes are an easy walk that includes three freshwater lakes. There are some wetland areas with fernbirds, banded rail and shags roosting. The lakes are also good places to swim if you get too hot on your journey. It's around 10km total. To get there take the road through Dargaville and keep a look out for the signs as you travel north.

Reservoir Walk

2012-02-22T22:27:00.002-08:00

Visited the Atiu Creek Regional Park out from Wellsford and on the way to Tapora. We parked and walked down the gravel road, past a few pou, through pine trees, across farmland and to the pretty little reservoir. Not suitable for swimming though as there are quite a few birds around. A little wharf with a few water lillies. Continue to do the loop walk. We will be visiting the park again as soon as we can and will be taking our mountain bikes next time. Plenty of tracks and roads to explore. Much of the area is quite open farm land with not so much shade. Check out the Auckland Council's Regional Parks for more information. http://www.arc.govt.nz/parks/our-parks/parks-in-the-region/atiu-creek//tracks.cfm?TrackID=218

Mangawhai

2011-08-30T01:00:00.001-07:00

Walk along this beautiful beach at low tide and you'll reach the coast walk at the other end with a track that climbs up steeply. Worth the walk for the wonderful views.

Nelson Lakes

2011-08-30T00:51:00.000-07:00

Nice easy walks near the Nelson Lakes. Listen for bellbirds as they sing above you.

Auckland Museum

2011-08-30T00:49:00.001-07:00

You can spend hours browsing around the Auckland Museum. Plenty to keep you occupied and especially good for a wet day.

Cornwall Park

2011-08-30T00:44:00.000-07:00

Plenty of places to walk and paths to take through Cornwall Park. Nice big trees and plants and open grass areas. Take a picnic, climb up one tree hill or meander under the trees.

One Tree Hill

2011-08-30T00:42:00.001-07:00

Walk up One Tree Hill and admire the spectacular views over Auckland. Below see the grafitti made by rocks.

Ti Point

2011-08-30T00:39:00.001-07:00

Park near the wharf and colourful dinghies then follow the track around the coast. Beautiful big pohutukawas and views of Omaha Beach, Tawharanui and Omaha Bay. Very easy walk and return by same track. Allow 2 hours.
At the end follow the hill to the fenceline for great views across to Leigh Harbour. Descend the other side of hill to a stile and take the track through the flax to the boulder beach. Good views of the rocky headland.

Auckland wintergardens

2011-08-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

Walking into the glass houses of Auckland's wintergarden is like getting off a plane in Fiji and being hit by the heat and humidity. Inside there is a spectacular show of plants and flowers, depending on the season. A good place to visit when it's raining outside.

Auckland Domain

2011-08-30T00:32:00.001-07:00

There are lovely trees to admire as you walk around Auckland's Domain. Especially nice as the leaves fall during Autumn.

Rangitoto Island

2011-08-30T00:08:00.000-07:00

Enjoyed re visiting this beautiful island in the Hauraki Gulf. Great walk up to the Summit with awesome views and friendly little waxeyes. Worth stopping to explore the tunnels on the way up.

Arthurs Pass

2011-06-23T18:14:00.001-07:00

Walk through native bush to this small but beautiful waterfall. Climbs gently in places.

Pt Wells to Omaha

2011-06-23T18:10:00.001-07:00

A walk and cycle track leads between Pt Wells and Omaha. It crosses the estuary into Omaha and makes a nice flat, easy cycle or walk. I love the native forest that the road passes through. The beach at Omaha is long with clean, white sand and a great place for a swim.

Goat Island Beach

2011-06-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

Walk along sandy beach towards Pakiri. Sand changes to rocky boulders and takes you to Pink Beach. Here the sand is coloured pink from the wheel shells. This is a nice secluded place where you can swim when sea conditions are good. Take a picnic lunch and stay an hour or two!

Oaro

2010-11-12T11:27:00.000-08:00

South of Kaikoura, this walk follows the coastline. You'll see discarded pieces of railway equipment along the way. Some beaches are more bouldery and looking out to see you could spot a whale or pod of dolphins. Plenty of places for a swim on the way, if it's not too cold!

Pupu Springs

2010-11-12T11:23:00.001-08:00

It's just a short walk through native bush, to see these beautiful springs where the water is crystal clear. In the past divers have been allowed into the springs, but are no longer permitted. The visibility underwater is unbelievable. There are little freshwater crayfish, trout and brilliant green algae. A viewing platform gives you a glimpse of the underwater world if it's not too covered with algae.

Scandrett Regional Park

2010-11-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

This farm park, off Mahurangi East Rd, north of Auckland is named after the previous farm owners who farmed it for about 130 years. The sheltered beach is good for swimming at high tide. Walks include an orchard, and stockyards. The historic buildings are worth seeing.

Motuara Island

2010-11-11T20:42:00.000-08:00

Motuara island is a bird sanctuary in the Outer Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough Sounds.
First we watched dolphins frollicking around the charter boat. Then we landed on the island and walked around an hour through the regenerating native bush.
Interesting bird life seen including this NZ falcon, bellbirds, fantails, kereru and saddleback. Kiwi also live there. The island is predator free so don't take anything you shouldn't!

Arapuni Dam to Jones Landing

2010-11-07T21:05:00.000-08:00

This 10km walkway travels alongside Lake Arapuni and finishes at Jones Landing. There are native trees between the river and track and interesting rocks above. The lake is ideal for kayaking or boating.
The Arapuni Power Station and the dam are now under the protection of the Historic Places Trust.

Maungatautari

2010-11-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

A fence goes around this reserve to keep predators out. We explored the southern enclosure and after climbing up the viewing platform, a kaka landed alongside us. A camera showed us a female kaka feeding her 3 chicks. Other birdlife include hihi, but our visit was too short and we'll be going back. Great walking tracks, south of Cambridge.

Pakiri Beach

2010-11-07T20:21:00.001-08:00

Walk along the white sands of Pakiri Beach and you'll feel you are a world away from the city. The solitude, sand dunes and birdlife add to this special place. It's only around an hour north of Auckland City and a short drive over the hill from Leigh.
Occasionally there will be a temporary structure as part of a film set.

Tawharanui Regional Park

2010-11-07T19:40:00.000-08:00

This regional park north of Auckland is part farmland and part regenerating bush. A predator proof fence runs across the peninsula. The beach is beautiful and a good length for a walk. There are also tracks through the native bush areas. Pick up a brochure when you get there.