One of the best ways to spend a summer’s weekend is exploring one of New Zealand’s many incredible walking tracks. With dozens ranging from 30 minutes to full day trips, there is something for everyone. Take your family, go with your friends or enjoy some alone-time by heading to a hike near you. Here are a few of our favourites around the country.
Bain Bay Track | Greymouth
Located 37km from Greymouth, Bain Bay Track has stunning views and diverse terrain. Walk along a boardwalk through wetlands, follow the shore of Lake Brunner and move through a thick forest full of native trees. This track has everything that the South Island is known for and is just a 2.5 hour hike.
Cooks Cove Walkway | Tolaga Bay
A 2.5 hour walk will take you through light bush, over open farmland and underneath cliff tops. You will get a stunning view of Cooks Cove about 20 minutes in, before winding down to the bay. Explore the unique hole-in-the-wall, learn about some local history with the information panel and cool off by going for a swim. The entrance to the track is approximately 52km from Gisborne.
Braeburn Walk | Lake Rotoroa, Nelson
Follow a well-graded track through dense bush, set your eyes on a beautiful moss-covered waterfall and enjoy the native trees and birdlife intrinsic to Nelson. This walk will only take you 2 hours, so pack your swimsuit and spend some time by the lake.
Mt Tamahunga | Warkworth
For more of a climb, head to Mount Tamahunga, approximately an hour and a half’s drive from Auckland city. This trip will take around 3 hour’s return and coverse farm and forest. The impressive view from the summit will make it all worth it. Stop off in Matakana for a drink on your way home.
Waitonga Falls Track | Tongariro National Park
Waitonga Falls is Tongariro National Park’s highest waterfall, standing at 39 metres. This stable track goes through forest and alpine wetlands, and has amazing views of Mount Ruapehu on clear days. The mountain is reflected in the Rotokawa pools in calm weather, and there is plenty of rich plantlife to be seen including sundews and bladderworts.
