Find businesses who can help you enjoy historic sites in areas managed by DOC.
Motukawanui Island offers opportunities for swimming and snorkelling or you can walk the track and view the historic pa sites.
As you travel towards Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) you see pou (large posts) indicating places of interest to stop and learn about the unique stories and natural beauty of this spectacular landscape.
This area provides easy access to scenic walking tracks and picnic areas. Other recreational opportunities range from enjoying the stunning views, exploring historical sites, swimming and fishing.
This short historical walk takes you through manuka scrub passing a series of excavated gumholes.
The area provides easy access to great walking tracks and picnic areas. Other recreation opportunities range from enjoying the stunning views, bird watching, tramping, and mountain biking, to swimming, diving, fishing and surfing.
The area around Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) provides easy access to walking tracks and beautiful swimming areas.
Taumarumaru Scenic Reserve is mostly an open area and tracks are identified by mowing and track markers. A short walk over the reserve is rewarded with great views and access to a small beach.
History buffs can get amongst the numerous cultural and historical sites and there are plenty of other opportunities for families, walkers, dog owners and fishers.
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.
Visit Motukiore Island in the Whangarei Harbour and explore its fascinating Maori and European history.
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.
A 30-minute walk leads you to Ruapekapeka Pa, which is where the final battle of ‘War of the North’ was waged. The pa is considered one of the most significant historic sites in New Zealand.
The Otaika Valley Walkway offers you a variety of landscapes including farmland and native forest.
The Whangaruru North Head Walking Tracks can be accessed from the popular campsite at Puriri Bay. The tracks follow through native forest and ridgelines before dropping down into secluded bays.
Take a short stroll from the Cape Reinga car park down to the lighthouse. From here you can enjoy the outstanding panoramic views and pay respect to a site that is steeped in Maori tradition.
The track connects the Waipoua Visitor Centre to the historic forestry lookout. The track traverses through a regenerating manuka and podocarp/hardwood forest.
The Kororipo-Kerikeri Basin is internationally of cultural and historical significance. The wider Kerikeri area offers a variety of great walking tracks and other recreation opportunities.
Motukawanui Island off the coast of Northland is free from possums, mustelids and cats, and home to a flourishing population of native birds. There are opportunities for snorkelling and swimming and you can stay overnight in a hut.
An important Bay of Islands landmark, you can reach Maiki/Flagstaff Hill by walking up a well-maintained track. The 2.5-km track climbs through regenerating coastal forest.
The 800-m track leads to the historic Kororipo Pa, from which you will have amazing views of the Kerikeri River, Kerikeri Basin and the historic Stone Store.
This loop track begins at Opito Bay and enters the Akeake Historic Reserve. The track leads to a small beach in the Te Puna Inlet and to a pa site on Tareha Point.
Take the Marsden Cross Track to view the cross that commemorates the first mission settlement and first Christian service conducted in New Zealand.
This easy 3.5 km walk follows the north bank of the Kerikeri River and crosses through regenerating forest. After passing the remains of a historic power house, you’ll come to the Wharepuke and Rainbow Falls.
Take a 1-km track through gum trees and regenerating native forest to the Kororipo Pa. The pa served as Hongi Hika’s coastal fortified settlement and played an important role in New Zealand’s musket war campaigns.
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.
Take the Whangamumu Track for an easy forest and beach walk to Whangamumu Harbour and Te Toroa Bay. The harbour was where one of New Zealand’s last shore-based whaling stations existed.
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.
Explore the fort and other military structures, take your dog for a walk, have a picnic, or why not give volunteering a go at Fort Takapuna?
Find out about activities on Waiheke Island.
Explore the tunnels, guns and other structures, have a picnic, walk your dog or watch a fim at the North Head Historic Reserve.
On Kawau Island you can explore historic sites, take a walk, or simply relax on the lawn of historic Mansion House.
Fort Takapuna, used by the New Zealand Defence Forces for over a century, offers a glimpse of New Zealand's 19th and 20th Century military history.
Visit Kawau Island, former home to Sir George Grey, who developed the stately Mansion House and its exotic gardens. The house, gardens and tracks on the reserve are open to the public.
Visit North Head Historic Reserve where a self-guided walk leads you through tunnels and other features of the area's past military defences.
Be sure to spend time at the visitor centre before venturing out on one of the many bush or coastal walks. You’ll also want to visit the island’s historic lighthouse and pa sites.
Snorkel, dive or take a leisurely walk. Or explore historic sites on the island, including three pa.
The Mokohinau Islands provide a dramatic backdrop for boating. The waters are excellent for diving and snorkelling. On Burgess Island you can visit the lighthouse and the remains of World War II military installations.
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.
Motukorea has long been a popular picnic destination for Aucklanders. You may want to kayak, walk and bird watch while you’re here. There are no visitor facilities on the island.
When you visit Motutapu, make sure you take a walk along the Motutapu Walkway and visit the many archaeological and WWI military sites on the island. Swimming, camping and picnicking are all popular activities here.
Access to Motuihe Recreation Reserve is by private boat, water taxi or Fullers ferry. Once there you’ll enjoy camping, swimming, walks, visiting historic sites and bird watching.
Visit the Whareorino Conservation Area – the largest, and one of the most valuable, forested areas in the western King Country.
A short walk 7km from the Waitomo turn-off. The walk takes you up through native forest before crossing a stile onto farmland to the pa site.
The 78,000-hectare Pureora Forest Park straddles the Hauhungaroa and Rangitoto ranges west of Lake Taupo and east of Te Kuiti.
Leitch's Hut is accessible by three tracks in Whareorino Forest allowing visitors to plan for an overnight tramp.
Mountain biking and hunting are popular activities in the Pureora Forest Park.
This spectacular walk passes through the relics of the Tasman and Crown mining operations in Karangahake Gorge.
Rock climbing, mountain biking and fly fishing are all fun activities in addition to tramping or walking the Kaimai Heritage Trail.
A series of walks up and around Mount Te Aroha offer stunning views of the Waikato and give access to the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park.
This track showcases beautiful scenery, good swimming holes and interesting mining relics.
This track is relatively flat but requires several river crossings as it follows an old tramline through the spectacular Waitawheta Gorge.
The history of gold mining in the area has left many pack tracks and tramlines which can now be walked. Choose 1-2 hour walks, or combine them for a full and challenging day's walk.
The Waiorongomai Valley in Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park contains the historic site of the Piako County Tramway, New Zealand oldest tramway. You can walk in the valley through regenerating native bush.
At 952 metres Mount Te Aroha is the highest point in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park. A number of tracks lead up and around this distinctive landmark and the abandoned mines and mine trails nearby.
Situated at the base of the Coromandel Range, the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway follows the old railway line between Paeroa and Waihi, giving access to impressive remains from the mining and railway eras.
Enjoy the historic character of the northern Kaimai or go tramping or hunting in the central or southern zones. The unusual combination of semi-coastal and alpine plant species makes this forest unique and highly significant.
Walking, cycling, fishing, canoeing, abseiling and swimming are the types of recreational opportunities available in Karangahake Gorge.
This walking track crosses the historic Tauranga Bridge and passes alongside the Tauranga Stream.
This National Historic Reserve Commemorates the first European landfall and meeting with Maori in 1769. It is also the landing place of the Horouta and Te Ikaroa-a-Rauru waka.
The Otoko Walkway is 50 km north-west of Gisborne. The track traverses 5 km of the old Gisborne/Moutohora railway line and takes 2.5 hours one way.
Relatively close to Taupo township there are a number of pleasant, reasonably easy walks that offer magnificent views of Lake Taupo and the surrounding mountains of Kaimanawa Forest Park and Tongariro National Park.
A short walk to one of the world’s oldest continuously operating generators.
Explore the remnants of the old Egmont Branch railway quarry complex while walking through native forest.
Find out about activities you can do on the Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka Track.
The Matemateāonga Track along with the Mangapurua Track is one of the two major tramping opportunities available in Whanganui National Park. Using an old Maori trail and settlers’ dray road, you are able to penetrate deep into the wilderness of the park.
The 2-3 day Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka Track travels through the historic Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka valleys and crosses over the historic Bridge to Nowhere. Alternatively, the track can be cycled in 1 day.
These valleys offer the 3 km Bridge to Nowhere walk and the Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka tracks.
Otatara Pa Historic Reserve encompasses one of the most outstanding defensive and settlement complexes in New Zealand.
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.
Makara offers access to Wellington's west coast escarpments, historic Fort Opau and the West Wind Recreation Area.
After an introductory talk on the flora, fauna, and human history of the island, visitors can explore the island's tracks, studying the many rare birds and the historic artefacts.
Explore the islands's historic sites and visit the woolshed museum. Follow walking tracks to the historic lighthouse site, the "concrete gannets" and enjoy the dramatic views.
You can walk to the 19th century reservoirs at the Colonial Knob Scenic Reserve, Kapiti. Mt Taranaki and the Kaikoura Range can be seen from the summit.
Visitors to Otaki Forks can picnic at Boielle Flat, swim in the Waiotauru River, raft or kayak the Otaki River gorge, or enjoy short walks through Tararua Forest Park.
Walks on Matiu/Somes offer excellent bird-watching opportunities and the chance to study other plants and animals enjoying the pest-free environment.
Murchison is the gateway to the southern entrance to Kahurangi National Park. Find out about the short day walks accessible from Murchison.
Aorere Goldfields Track is a 3-hour loop, which gives you access to explore some of the more accessible gold-mining remnants.
Beautiful native forest and gold-mining relics are the main attractions of the Kaituna Valley. To walk the whole track takes 8-9 hours, or there are shorter walks from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
Retracing an old gold-mining water race, this track passes through forest of young beech and rimu to mature podocarps.
You can take guided nature tours and horse treks on the spit. Learn about the area’s walks and the historic and natural features to look out for along the way.
Looking for a short walk near Nelson or Motueka? Here are some walking tracks you might like to try.
The plains and low hills between Nelson and Motueka are known as the Waimea Basin. Tramping, hunting, watersports and walks through historically and ecologically significant areas await visitors.
This walkway follows an old goldminer's trail across the range between the Wairau Valley and Linkwater. It can be walked or ridden in one day, but you will need to arrange transport between the road ends.
Follow in the footsteps of old goldminers on the Wakamarina Track to cross the Richmond Range from the Wairau Valley to the Wakamarina Valley.
Eastern Marlborough is an area of rugged mountains and an equally rugged coastline. Find out about the recreational opportunities available in the area.
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.
Long after its gold mines closed and the last hotel burned down, Lyell retains many reminders of a rich past which can be seen while exploring the surrounding area.
The walk up to Kirwans Hut is one of New Zealand's classic overnight tramps. A three day loop can also be made by going down the Waitahu Valley. There are incredible historic relics to be seen in this area.
Information on mountain biking tracks around Greymouth.
Goldsborough was once a thriving mining settlement. You can explore this history by going on some of the walks in the area.
These walks in Ross township, 30 km south of Hokitika on SH6, start from the Ross Goldfields Information and Heritage Centre, where you can check for up to date track conditions.
The area surrounding Greymouth offers walks that provide great views of the sea, examples of native forests, waterfalls and coal and gold mining history.
This short walk explores the Historic Brunner Mine site.
Lake Brunner Kotuku Whakaoho is a popular recreation area offering a range of recreational activities from short walks to fishing and boating.
There are a number of walking tracks in the Victoria Forest Park area that will get you into some interesting places such as Waiuta, Inangahua suspension bridge and Murray Creek.
Scenery and history combine in this three-hour walk on an old railway formation.
Explore the wild and remote environment of the Denniston Plateau. The historic sites provide a glimpse of times gone by.
Tramping on tracks around Big River and Waiuta is a unique experience. There are two well serviced huts and many historic sites to explore. Experience the mystery of the 'Goldfields of Quartzopolis'- a corner of Victoria Forest Park.
This fascinating track goes through forest but passes by tailraces and dams and through tunnels built by gold miners in the 19th century.
The Croesus Track in the Southern Paparoa Range offers the opportunity to walk or mountain bike through some stunning scenery and historic sites.
Victoria Forest Park is the largest park of its type in the country. There is access to the park via a network of tracks, many dating from the mining days with relics amid regenerated forest.
Ross Bell Tower on the West Coast is a historic landmark in the Ross town. The tower has been restored and rebuilt by DOC, and you can hear the bell being rung on special occasions.
This walk presents the best of Arthur’s Pass. It has diverse alpine vegetation, waterfalls, wetlands and rich history, interspersed with stunning views of the mountains.
Fowlers Pass (1296m) connects Fowlers Hut on Tophouse Road with Stanley Vale and Lake Guyon huts in the St James Conservation Area.
Godley Head has both purpose-built and dual use mountain bike tracks. You can also explore the tunnels and other historic features on foot.
The Godley Head WWII coastal defence battery sits atop sheer 120 metre-high cliffs. A network of walkways let you explore the site's historic and scenic attractions.
This historic trail follows an old bridle path that transported coal to the gold mining dredges 1890s-1930s.
Bannockburn a historic town established in 1858. There are fantastic walks and mountain biking that explores the historical gold mining relics, scenic picnic spots and also a cafe and wine tasting at the local vineyards.
The Gibbston River Trail is a walking and mountain bike track that stretches 11km from the historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge along the south bank of the Kawarau River to Waitiri Creek Wines.
This is a fully interpreted walk through Arrowtown’s restored Chinese Settlement.
Twelve Mile Creek Gorge was worked intensively by gold miners and you can still see signs of sluicing.
Kopuwai Conservation Area offers a range of recreation opportunities including mountain biking, 4WD and hunting.
Outdoor pursuits in the park include walking/tramping, mountain biking, four wheel driving, angling, backcountry skiing, horse riding and hunting.
A 2 hour loop walk and mountain bike through the Bannockburn Sluicings. View the historic relics that lie amongst the spectacular cliffs and pinnacles that have been sculpted by hydraulic mining.
Serpentine Scenic Reserve is a spectaular high point on the Rough Ridge mountains which features historical treasures: a stamper battery, water wheel and church. Good 4WD conditions are necessary to get access.
These tailings are nationally significant as the only complete record of dredging activity from 1863 to 1963.
Tramping tracks in Whakaari Conservation Area near Glenorchy.
Take a short walk or mountain bike ride to Quartz Reef Point, the best preserved example of herring bone tailings in the country.
Enjoy one of the walks around historic, man-made Blue Lake in St Bathans and view sluicings and gold mining relics.
Activities in the Glenorchy area include water sports, tramping and visiting historic sites.
Along the Bob’s Cove Track and Nature Walk you'll find historic sites, swimming beaches and fishing opportunities.
This signposted walk in Bendigo Conservation Area takes you down to the mine entrances and the recently restored stamper battery.
You can take 5-minute walks or take longer tracks to visit historic sites in the Skippers area. There are opportunities for kayaking, mountainbiking, picnicking and rafting.
Most of the Bendigo area is ‘wander at will’ but you can also walk the 10km Kānuka Loop Track and visit the Come in Time Battery.
This easy tramping track on the South Coast Track in Fiordland is an excellent, family friendly overnight trip, with beautiful coastal views and a taste of history.
This multi-day track of varying difficulty leads along rugged southern Fiordland coast to Port Craig (easy overnight) and beyond to the more remote Big River (4 days one way).
A 3-day loop with marvellous views from sub-alpine tops and rugged coastline in southern Fiordland. Hut bookings required.
The many activities to enjoy in western Fiordland include walking and tramping, boating, diving, fishing, guided activities, historic sites, hunting, kayaking, scenic flights and more.
Stewart Island/Rakiura's main settlement of Oban offers visitor services and recreation opportunities. You can go on walks and excursions from Halfmoon Bay, including visits to beautiful Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara Open Sanctuary and Rakiura Track Great Walk.
Well-formed walking tracks, toilets, shelters and information signs have been put in place for the use of visitors to the island. Ulva Island can be visited during daylight hours at any time of year.
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