Urupukapuka Island is a great place for fishing, swimming and all types of water sports or you can take a walk and learn more about the historic heritage of the island.
The track through a mix of pasture and lightly wooded landscape leads you to stunning Taronui Bay with its white sand beach sheltered by a reef.
The Loop Walk around the headland provides a little of everything that Mimiwhangata has to offer.
This bush walk at Mimiwhangata offers superb views of Mimiwhangata, the coast and the Poor Knights Islands:
One of the bush walks at Mimiwhangata, the track leads you to the top of the ridge with impressive views of the peninsula and out towards the Poor Knights Islands.
This short track takes you out to the Signal Station Point on the south head of the Hokianga Harbour. It offers spectacular views of the harbour and coastline.
Tutukaka Head has a number of good beaches and is a great place for swimming, boating, fishing, surfing and diving. The site’s main walking track leads to the Tutukaka Lighthouse.
The Motutara Recreation Reserve lies halfway between Russell and Whangarei. At the reserve you’ll find several small beaches and some good fishing and diving spots.
This 5-km Mangawhai Track traverses across beaches, cliff tops, farmlands and bush areas. You may be able to enjoy views of Bream Head all the way down to the Hauraki Gulf.
This 4.5-km track takes you past the lovely beach of Sandy Bay to the Cape Reinga lighthouse.
This scenic track follows the rugged coastline of Cape Reinga and descends to Te Werahi and Twilight beaches. Self-sufficient camping is available.
The area provides easy access to great walking tracks and picnic areas. Other recreation opportunities range from enjoying the stunning views, bird watching and tramping to swimming, diving, fishing and surfing the waves.
This very short track takes you to a long, white sandy beach on Northland's Karikari peninsula.
Mimiwhangata is a great place for beach activities such as swimming, snorkelling, fishing, picnicking or just relaxing.
A stunning area to explore by boat, there are also a number of walks and tramps available. Visit some of the area’s archaeological sites and the memorial for the Rainbow Warrior at Matauri Bay.
This easy track is just 1 km north of Maiki/Flagstaff Hill, near Russell. Tapeka Point is the perfect base for exploring this part of the Bay of Islands by land or water.
Visit Taumarumaru Reserve and appreciate the coastal beauty of the far north in an easily accessible location. The reserve contains significant historic Maori sites including pa sites, living terraces and storage pits.
The white sandy beach of Puwheke offers the perfect base to enjoy scenic views and observe shorebirds.
The archaeological walk on Urupukapuka Island is suitable for people of most ages and fitness levels. It's a great place to learn about the area’s Maori history.
The Cape Brett Track traverses rugged terrain for 16 km through native and regenerating bush. Expect dramatic coastal views; steep cliffs and drop-offs to the side of the track are a feature.
On Great Barrier Island you can take a soak in thermal springs, tramp through coastal forests or snorkel in an isolated cove. Boating, kayaking and fishing are other popular activities on the island.
A tramping track leaves from the Fantail Bay campsite and leads to the bushline where you’ll find outstanding views.
This Coromandel Walkway follows an easy grade along the scenic coast between Fletcher Bay and Stony Bay.
Enjoy horse riding, mountain biking and off-road driving on the peninsula. Hunters with permits can hunt on public conservation land.
Rock climbing, mountain biking and fly fishing are all fun activities in addition to tramping or walking the Kaimai Heritage Trail.
This reserve has significant Maori cultural and spiritual value. It features the waterfalls of the Kaituna River and is the site of New Zealand's first hydro-electic power station.
There are a number short walks you can enjoy in the Orokawa Scenic Reserve.
The Okere River is a site of significant Maori cultural and spiritual values. Okere River meaning "the place of drifting", is an 11 km stretch of the Kaituna River.
Enjoy native bush and quiet beaches. The track provides good opportunities to look out over the Blue Lake (Tikitapu) and Green Lake (Rotokakahi).
Walking, cycling, fishing, canoeing, abseiling and swimming are the types of recreational opportunities available in Karangahake Gorge.
Taupo township lies at the northern end of Lake Taupo, New Zealands largest lake at 622 square km. Taupo, and Turangi at the southern end of the lake are the centres for many of the walks and activities around the central North Island.
Kaimanawa Forest Park (77,348 hectares) lies south-east of Taupo and extends from Tongariro National Park in the west to the Kaweka Range in the east.
Enjoy the walking tracks within 15-20 minutes driving time of Turangi.
Attractions at the Tongariro National Trout Centre include visiting the underwater trout viewing chamber and hatchery facility, catching trout from the children's fishing pond and strolling along the Tongariro River and watching anglers flyfishing.
Bring your mountain bike or 4-wheel drive to Tongariro Forest in Taupo, or come to simply observe the multitude of threatened species residing in the 'forest of the future'.
Popular recreational activities in Kaimanawa Forest Park include hunting, tramping, fishing, rafting and picnicking. Mountain biking is permitted only on formed roads and on the Tree Trunk Gorge Track.
Learn about the year-round fishing and educational opportunities available at the Taupo Fishery.
The trout of Lake Taupo and its tributaries provide 30-40 per cent of the country’s freshwater sports fishing. The sports fishery is managed by DOC although the lake and river beds are owned by Ngati Tuwharetoa.
The diversity and number of wading and shore birds that visit the Manawatu Estuary make it one of the best bird watching spots in the country.
Walk along the banks of the Stony River through a small grove of kohekohe, matai and rata forest to the Okato Domain
You can enjoy walking, hunting, snow skiing, fishing, rafting and canoeing in the Western Ruahine Forest Park.
The Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Protected Area comprises 749 hectares of seabed, foreshore and water around the Ngā Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands. It offers some great recreational opportunities.
Tramping and river trips are popular activities in the Whanganui National Park. You can travel the Whanganui Journey, one of New Zealand's Great Walks that is mainly a river journey.
New Zealand's longest scenic reserve, affording ready access to a wide range of recreational opportunities.
This challenging track cuts through dense bush and traces the headwaters of the Waioeka and its tributaries, offering excellent opportunities for trout fishing.
Fishing, boating and hunting are activities you can enjoy in the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk area.
You can walk tracks, raft, hunt, fish and visit Mangantutu Hot Springs in the Kaweka Forest Park.
There are opportunities for walking, four-wheel driving, fishing and mountain biking in Eastern Ruahine Forest park.
You can walk Lake Waikaremoana Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks or shorter walks including one up to the idyllic Lake Waikareiti. You can also boat, fish and hunt in the area.
Built in 1878, this rail route between the Hutt Valley and Featherston is now a gently graded 18 km walk, run or mountain bike ride, with opportunities for camping, swimming and fishing.
Walking, mountain biking, fishing, snorkelling, diving and picnicking are activities you can enjoy at Whitireia Park.
There are a number of short tracks that descend from Otaki Gorge Road into the gorge, giving access for picnicking, swimming, fishing and watersports.
Bird watching, whitebaiting, walking and picnicking are among the activities you can enjoy at Waikanae Estuary and Paraparaumu Beach.
Abseiling and river activities like swimming, rafting and kayaking make use of the gorge environment. It's also a popular starting point for tramping, hunting and fishing trips into the Tararuas.
Walkers, hunters and fishers can take a range of tracks through Tararua Forest Park from Holdsworth. Swimming at Atiwhakatu Stream is also popular.
Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Park has extensive wetlands where fishing and birdwatching are popular activities.
With its reef, lagoon, lighthouse and Castle Rock, Castlepoint is a spectacular stretch of Wairarapa coastline. An hour from Masterton, the reserve attracts many birds and marine mammals.
Short walks in the reserve can bring you in contact with some uncommon and interesting native flora.
At Turakirae Head you'll find the largest New Zealand fur seal colony in the Wellington region as well as the internationally-famous geological record revealed by five earthquake-raised beaches.
Recreational hunting, tramping, walking, cycling, 4 wheel driving, and camping are activities you can enjoy in and around the Aorangi Forest Park.
The Douglas Range Route links Aorere Valley to Cobb Valley. This route guide describes the route from the Aorere Valley.
Murchison is the gateway to the southern entrance to Kahurangi National Park. Find out about the short day walks accessible from Murchison.
Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence offers excellent recreation opportunities for trampers making the walk over the range to Warden Hut. Horse riders, mountain bikers and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts will find their Clarence experience hard to beat.
Tramping tracks on Farewell Spit will take you to the cliff-top viewing platform of Cape Farewell and the dramatic views at Wharariki Beach.
Learn about the tracks and walks and other recreation opportunities in the Marlborough Sounds.
The 27-km Nydia Track in the Marlborough Sounds is an easy 2-day tramp. Plan on an overnight stop at Nydia Bay.
This track, in the heart of Kahurangi National Park, gives a true backcountry experience for trampers, hunters and fishers.
Looking for a short walk near Nelson or Motueka? Here are some walking tracks you might like to try.
It’s a 4-6 day moderately difficult tramp along the Wangapeka Track in Kahurangi National Park.
The Pelorus Track in Mt Richmond Forest Park offers walkers 3-4 days of hard tramping through forest and along the river.
The Pelorus Track spans two areas. This link will take you to the information about the track, in the Sounds area.
The Northbank of the Wairau River provides access to Mt Richmond Forest Park in the South Marlborough area.
This unmarked route follows the beach from the eastern end of the camping area to Cape Campbell, the southernmost extreme of Cook Strait.
Find out about the activities you can do in Nelson Lakes National Park. You can walk the Travers-Sabine Cirucit and to beautiful lakes. You can take your boat out and fish for trout.
A network of tracks, fishing, kayaking and caving are some of the park's attractions.
Over 430 km of walking tracks cover the park. Kayaking, fishing and mountain biking are other suggested activities.
Apart from walking the network of tracks off the Hanmer-Rainbow Road you can also go mountain biking, rafting, hunting and fishing or take a guided tour.
The area surrounding Greymouth offers walks that provide great views of the sea, examples of native forests, waterfalls and coal and gold mining history.
Lake Brunner is a great area to get out and explore with recreational acitivites such as boating, walking, and fishing.
A range of tracks in this area gives people access to some spectacular landscapes including Lake Christabel, a good habitat for native fish.
The park caters for a wide range of recreation activities including; tramping, fishing, skiing, mountaineering, hunting and mountain biking.
You can explore the varying terrain of North Opuha Conservation Area on foot, horseback or mountain bike.
Outdoor pursuits in the park include mountain biking, horse riding, fishing, hunting, mountaineering, four wheel driving and walking and tramping.
Outdoor pursuits in the park include mountain biking, horse riding, fishing, hunting, climbing and walking and tramping.
Tramping, climbing and hunting have long been associated with the area, while skifields and the skating rink assure year-round activity. The lake provides opportunity for water sports and fishing.
The Rangitata River is renowned for salmon fishing, white water rafting and canoeing. Peel Forest Outdoor Pursuits Centre runs outdoor recreation programmes. Walks range from strolls to harder tramps.
The new park offers a vast range of recreational opportunities including boating, swimming, tramping, climbing, skiing, hunting, mountain biking, picnicking, camping, horse riding, and fishing.
Lake Sumner is a fantastic place for hunting, tramping and fishing.
Stroll, walk, run or cycle around a lake surrounded by spectacular mountains.
This popular short, undulating walk through grassland is surrounded by mountains and goes right round the lake.
Walk or cycle along the banks of the Clutha River near Lake Wanaka.
The Caples and Greenstone Valleys are rainbow and brown trout fisheries of national importance and the Wakatipu Recreational Hunting Area covers both the Greenstone and Caples catchments.
There are limited opportunities for trout fishing in the mid Rees, and in some tributaries and parts of the Dart River. Deer hunting is allowed in parts of both valleys, and a hunting permit is required.
There are a range of tramping tracks in the Makarora region, some of which are for experienced trampers only.
There are numerous outdoor recreation opportunities in the Matukituki Valley, although many of the tramping excursions in this area require a high level of physical fitness and alpine experience.
A spectacular conservation park in the Eyre Mountains/Taka Ra Haka for the more adventurous tramper, hunter or trout fisher.
Challenging routes traverse the forest area of Takitimu Mountains taking you to Aparima Forks Hut or Spence Hut.
You can walk tracks in the area; hunt deer, possums, pigs and goats; and fish trout. Make sure you have hunting and fishing permits.
South Coast Track and Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track are located in Waitutu. You can also hunt and fish in the area.
This track is suitable for fit, experienced and well equipped trampers only.
You can walk tracks in the area and hunt deer, pigs and possums for which a hunting permit is required. Rivers offer good fishing for brown and rainbow trout - make sure you have a fishing permit and adhere to fishing regulations.
You can walk the four day Mavora-Greenstone Walkway or undertake shorter walks. Other activities you can carry out in the park are boating, fishing, hunting, mountain biking and four-wheel driving.
Tracks and walks in the area range from 45 minutes to 4 days. Monowai is a restricted waterway. There are opportunities for boating and kayaking, hunting and fishing, and mountain biking so long as you have your access permit from Biosecurity NZ.
There are several tracks suited to day trips and easy two or three day tramps. There are also several more demanding routes suitable for experienced parties.
There is good access for trout fishing, deer hunting, climbing and exploration of areas beside and beyond the Hollyford track system.
There are many points of natural and historic interest along the route and varied opportunities for recreation - camping, tramping, mountain biking, trout fishing, hunting, boating, and even caving.
The area is isolated and for the most part physically demanding. However for those keen on botany, high country history, hunting, tramping and exploration, there is great scope and variety.
Find out about guided walks and other activities you can do on the Routeburn Track.
There are many short walks in Fiordland National Park as well as the Milford, Hollyford, Routeburn and Hump Ridge tracks. Fishing and hunting are also popular.
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