New Zealand

From the Point Kean carpark head south up the paved walkway until you reach the Clifftop Walk. This trail will take you past East Head and Atia Point before it becomes the South Bay Lookout Walk. When you reach car park at trail's end turn back the way you came and descend the stairs near East He...

From the car park, follow the trail as it begins to go uphill. The slope is fairly gradual at first. Once you enter the trees it begins to get steeper and continues to climb until you are above tree line. You then begin to get views of the city and the harbor, along with mountains in the far dist...

From the carpark the trail can easily be identified across the street. A short walk through native beech forest and over a long swing-bridge takes you to the boardwalk just before reaching the bridge over the Blue Pools.  

After a short walk from the Fantail Falls parking lot, the trail crosses the river to reach the beginning of the track. It's unlikely you'll avoid getting your feet wet.The track heads up through the steep and rooted slopes until you break treeline after several thousand feet of elevation gain. N...

The Valley of The Trolls can be accessed from the head of Lake Harris, off the Routeburn track. The trail in the valley is a lot tougher going than the well maintained Routeburn track. The valley floor will quickly become a swampy bog after a rain.  Getting to the trail is easily done about 300 ...

Begin at Klondyke Corner if the Waimakariri is low or at the O'Malley's Track if the river is too high to ford safely. After walking through the Waimakariri River to the Carrington Hut and on up the White River Valley you’ll reach this tiny red hut that stands out in its precarious position as a ...

Relatively short day hike that involves a few stairs and bridge crossing brings you to a cool spot called Dog Stream Waterfall at the end of the Waterfall Track. While the waterfall itself is cool, the hike itself is pretty great. Steady climb up to the 41 meter waterfall, offering some great vie...

The Minaret Burn Track starts at the end of West Wanaka Road at Homestead Bay, which many tourists (and locals!) unknowingly drive past on their way to Treble Cone, Diamond Lake and/or the Rob Roy glacier. The start of the track is signposted and trail times to Colquhouns Beach (2-3 hrs; 7km) and...

If you’re ready for an advanced challenge to suit any adventurous spirit and have the skills to navigate complicated terrain then the narrow MacPherson Creek drainage on the fringes of Mount Aspiring National Park may grab your interest. Diving in from the MacPherson Creek bridge on the Haast Roa...

The trail starts 3 km south of Fox Glacier Township. Take the Haast Highway until Thirsty Culvert, which has a small parking lot on the right side of the road. Start early in the morning to miss the almost daily afternoon fog. The trail climbs relentlessly through a lush rain forest. The route is...

From the Mt. Robert car park, take the Pinchgut Track up to the Bushline shelter (approx. 1 hr 30 mins). This beginning portion of the track is steep, with numerous switchbacks that will have you questioning whether you really need everything in your pack. The panoramic views of Lake Rotoiti are ...

This track is located just outside of Hanmer springs, and is the perfect afternoon or morning walk. Don't plan on this taking a whole day as the longest loop takes an about 90 minutes, if you are taking your time and enjoying it all. There are clear signs that guide you on this amble through the ...

Starting at the end of Log Race Road, just outside Piha, this well groomed loop track takes you along the cliff line above the Tasman Sea and back to the carpark. The Mercer Bay Loop guarantees access to some stunning scenery, and has plenty of accessible spots to stop and take pictures, have lun...

Driving on Hwy 1, just south of a little town called Ward, roughly 48km south of Blenheim, there is the turn off onto Ure road. This is the only turn you have to make in order to find the entrance to Sawcut Gorge. Follow this gravel road through private land and farm land to reach the car park 12...

The track starts soon after the turnoff onto Hollyford Rd off the Milford Highway. The track begins with a bridge crossing over a river and then soon reached Marian Falls. From the falls the trail climbs steeply through forest until the lake. The lake is a beautiful place to spend several hour...

Important: In the Great Walks season (October till late April) bookings are required for campsites and huts - huts have gas cooking stoves and resident wardens. Check with local DOC before you go. Outside the Great Walks season facilities are greatly reduced and there are additional safety hazard...