Find businesses who can help you enjoy dog walking in areas managed by DOC.
This short walking track takes you to Rarawa beach.
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.
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?
Explore the tunnels, guns and other structures, have a picnic, walk your dog or watch a fim at the North Head Historic Reserve.
Find out where you can take your dog for a walk on land managed by DOC in the Auckland region.
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.
The Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve is popular due to its long sandy beach and calm waters. Remember that marine reserves are ‘no take’ areas, so fishing or removing marine life is not permitted.
Horse riding, mountain biking, abseiling, walking, tramping, camping, fishing, swimming and hunting are the types of recreational opportunities available in Coromandel Forest Park.
This track follows quad tracks and an old tram line in the Maramataha Valley in the southwestern part of Pureora Forest Park. Allow a full day to complete it. While not especially technical, it is a long and remote Grade 3 track.
A gentle ride through beautiful forest on formed 2WD metalled roads.
Okahukura Loop is for more skilled riders, but is not particularly technical.
Visit the Whareorino Conservation Area – the largest, and one of the most valuable, forested areas in the western King Country.
Two short walking tracks along the Mangaotaki Rd, west of Piopio.
There are a range of tramping tracks in Pureora Forest Park, ranging from a few hours to three days.
Pureora Forest Park provides a range of walking tracks through forest and some offer spectacular views of the region.
Leitch's Hut is accessible by three tracks in Whareorino Forest allowing visitors to plan for an overnight tramp.
The limestone features and native vegetation in the Tawarau Forest can best be seen by walking on one of the forest's tracks. The Loop Route, Gorge Track and Double Falls Route are all scenic tramps.
Mountain biking and hunting are popular activities in the Pureora Forest Park.
This nice, peaceful track is just bliss when you want to get away from the city. Enjoy the birdlife and the beautiful clear spring that runs into Lake Rotorua.
Enjoy native bush and quiet beaches. The track provides good opportunities to look out over the Blue Lake (Tikitapu) and Green Lake (Rotokakahi).
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.
Walking, cycling, fishing, canoeing, abseiling and swimming are the types of recreational opportunities available in Karangahake Gorge.
Rangitaiki Conservation Area is the only remaining representative of frostflat vegetation which once covered the Kaingaroa Plateau.
Around Lake Taupo there are a variety of access tracks to the tributary rivers. Some tracks are through DOC administered reserves and others across private land.
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.
There are many short to medium length walks very close to Taupo township.
Enjoy the walking tracks within 15-20 minutes driving time of Turangi.
On the western side of Kaimanawa Forest Park there are a number of walking tracks. Some have mountain bike access as well.
This long, narrow estuary with its wide range of fresh to salty, shallow to deep, and sandy to muddy habitats supports an extremely diverse range of birds, fish, invertebrates and plant life.
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.
This 30 minute loop walks takes you through a flooded forest remnant in the Wairarapa.
Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Park has extensive wetlands where fishing and birdwatching are popular activities.
Carter Scenic Reserve is one of the few remaining remnants of patchwork landscape once typical of the Wairarapa - grass, wetland, shrubland, and forest.
The walks in the Catchpool Valley are suitable for all ages and fitness levels. There is also a specially marked dog exercise area just past the park entrance gate.
Catchpool Valley is the most popular entrance to Rimutaka Forest Park. It includes Orongorongo Valley and its booked huts.
Looking for a short walk near Nelson or Motueka? Here are some walking tracks you might like to try.
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.
The Wakamarina Track crosses the Richmond Range from the Wairau Valley to the Wakamarina Valley. This link will take you to information about the track in the South Marlborough section of the website.
This walking track passes through native and pine forest from Penzance Bay to Elaine Bay.
This short walk leads to a lookout.
This tramping track in Kenepuru Sound follows a ridge to the summit (1203 m), the highest point in the Sounds.
Piwakawaka Track is easy walking track leading from the northern end of Elaine Bay to a small beach.
The 27-km Nydia Track in the Sounds area of Marlborough is an easy 2-day tramp. Plan on an overnight stop at Nydia Bay.
From the Ferndale campsite there is a 15 minute loop track.
This is a 3 km walking track through native forest and farmland from Opouri Saddle down to Harvey Bay (Duncan Bay). You can mountain bike on Opouri Bridle Track.
While you can only get to some Pelorus Sound walking tracks by boat, there is road access to Archers Track, which you can mountain bike.
Walkers share the Queen Charlotte Track and its campsites with mountain bikers, boaties and fishers.
The Pelorus Track in Mt Richmond Forest Park offers walkers 3-4 days of hard tramping through forest and along the river.
The Northbank of the Wairau River provides access to Mt Richmond Forest Park in the South Marlborough area.
Over 430 km of walking tracks cover the park. Kayaking, fishing and mountain biking are other suggested activities.
Scenery and history combine in this three-hour walk on an old railway formation.
The tracks of Oxford Forest offer day walks and longer tramps and hunting within the Oxford Recreational Hunting Area. Wharfedale Track is open to mountain bikes.
Wooded Gully Picnic Area is the starting point for short family walks and more serious backcountry tramps and hunting trips. Dogs on a leash are permitted.
The recreation menu at Glentui and Ashley Gorge includes mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, hunting, picnicking and a range of tracks. Dogs must be on a leash.
Tracks from the Grey River picnic area provide visitors with a range of walks. Dogs on a leash are allowed in the picnic area. There are opportunities for hunting and mountain biking.
This estuary is rich in birdlilfe and is also popular for fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming.
The Te Kere Haka Track follows the shore of Lake Wakatipu.
A walk with superb lake and mountain views over undulating open grassland and scattered scrub, ending at Jack's Point.
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.
Walk or cycle along the banks of the Clutha River near Lake Wanaka.
Oteake Conservation Park - Traverse the tops of mountains, has a range of tramping and mountain biking tracks to explore the park.
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.
These tailings are nationally significant as the only complete record of dredging activity from 1863 to 1963.
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.
A boardwalk and saltmarsh experience on the edge of Otago Harbour that suits all ages and abilities.
Three excellent walks on Otago Peninsula, combining coastal views with good prospects for wildlife viewing
A forest-lined walk to a spectacular waterfall in Catlins Forest Park.
Three walks on and around the very scenic Tautuku Bay.
Walks to two easy access waterfalls: the Matai Falls and the very well known and often photographed, Pūrākaunui Falls.
Short walks near Owaka, easily accessed off the Southern Scenic Route; waterfalls, coastal views and walks and wildlife.
Traverse rugged Skippers Creek to see New Zealand’s first industrial hydro power scheme or take the trail to the heart of Skippers’ quartz reef mining history.
Retrace the miners’ daily walk from their homes in Skippers to the Crystal Mine, their workplace in the 1930s and 40s.
There are a number of short walks in the Skippers area, providing an insight to the early pioneer mining era.
Activities in the Glenorchy area include water sports, tramping and visiting historic sites.
Glenorchy Walkway offers excellent opportunities to view bird life as its boardwalk traverses wetlands. A great family walk ideal for picnics with views of Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi.
The track at Diamond Creek follows the true left bank of the creek to Lake Reid.
On Bob's Cove Bridle Track you'll follow history along the original bridle track that linked Queenstown and Glenorchy.
Along the Bob’s Cove Track and Nature Walk you'll find historic sites, swimming beaches and fishing opportunities.
From Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track is a 1.5 hour/one way walk where you'll see ancient marine sediments.
Seven Mile Track and Wilson Bay Track are dual-purpose tracks for walkers and mountain bikers.
The Arawata Bridle Track follows part of the original bridle trail that connected Queenstown and Glenorchy.
Sunshine Bay Walk is a native bush walk that follows along the lakeshore to the Sunshine Bay jetty and carpark.
Kānuka Loop Track is the only DOC managed bush walk in Central Otago.
The Kelvin Peninsula Track follows along the southern side of Frankton Arm and alternates from sidling below homes to traversing through regenerating native bush.
The well-used Frankton Walkway provides a pleasant stroll or bicycle ride along the lakeshore between Queenstown and Frankton.
Glenorchy, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, is the gateway to some of New Zealand’s best-known, multi-day tracks. There are also good one-day tracks, with many shorter walks nearby.
This very popular, close-to-Wanaka-town loop walk suits all ages and abilities and offers great views from the summit.
Skippers is part of Mount Aurum Recreation Reserve and saw much of Wakatipu’s 1860s gold fever. It offers dramatic views and opportunities to walk, tramp, camp, paint, kayak, mountain bike, picnic and raft.
You can walk the 40 minute Interpretive Loop Track or try mountain biking old 4wd access tracks.
Lake Manapouri offers many activities for families and friends including boating, kayaking, fishing or swimming in the lake, and walking, tramping or hunting in the mountains.
Lake Te Anau is a great place for lots of activities including walking, tramping, boating, fishing, hunting, kayaking, mountain biking, swimming and more.
This is an easy walk to a pretty urban park in a peaceful setting, with a fishing lake for children and a mountain biking track.
This easy track leads alongside the Te Anau lakefront to where the Upukerora River flows into the lake, and is great for families and a range of activities.
Fiordland National Park is a fantastic spot to enjoy many activities with your family and friends, including walking, tramping (multi day), boating, camping, climbing, fishing, hunting, kayaking, and more.
Looking for day walks from the Mavora Lakes camping ground in the Te Anau area? Try the South Mavora Lake Walking Track or the track to the Kiwiburn Hut.
This is a 50 km, four day tramping trip, linking the Mavora Lakes Camping Area with the Greenstone Track. It passes through open valley tussock land and beech forested hill country.
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.
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