Tracks & Trails
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Nugget Point Lighthouse | Tokata
Enjoy dramatic coastal views from the Nugget Point | Tokata Lighthouse and spot seals, penguins and other seabirds on this short walk.
- Distance:
- 1.8 km return
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Clutha Gold Cycling and Walking Trail
One of Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand where you can soak up the history of early Otago and follow the country's largest, fastest river, the mighty Clutha!
- Distance:
- 136 km
- Difficulty:
- Easy
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Cathedral Caves Walk
Walk through bush and along the beach to explore the impressive Cathedral Caves.
- Distance:
- 2.6 km return
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Blair Athol Walkway
The Blair Athol Walkway, located in Balclutha is a relaxing nature walk along the banks of the Clutha River.
- Distance:
- 1 - 2km
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Purakaunui Falls Walk
Walk to the well known and often photographed Purakaunui Falls.
- Distance:
- 600 metres return
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Blue Mountain Tops
Marked route to Whisky Gully carpark. This Blue Mountain Walk is a difficult 6-8 hour nature hike which takes you along the ridge tops.
- Distance:
- 14 km
- Difficulty:
- Advanced
- Duration:
- Over 4 hours
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Catlins River-Wisp Loop Track
An attractive, forest-lined river walk of three sections that has several natural features and access to good fishing.
- Distance:
- Two 12 km routes
- Difficulty:
- Advanced
- Duration:
- Overnight
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Black Gully Track
Black Gully is a walk beginning at the northern end of the Blue Mountains.
- Distance:
- 2 km
- Difficulty:
- Advanced
- Duration:
- Over 4 hours
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Jacks Blowhole Track
Walk to a spectacular blowhole with exploding waves and roaring sound effects.
- Distance:
- 3 km
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Historic Railway Tunnel Hill Walk
Take a short, scenic walk through the historic reserve to explore the world’s southernmost railway tunnel.
- Distance:
- 360 m
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Surat Bay Beach Walk
This short walk runs parallel to Surat Bay Beach and goes through sand dunes. It's the only access to Surat Beach during high tide.
- Distance:
- 500 m
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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McLean Falls Walk
Walk to the spectacular McLean Falls though a variety of forest and shrub types.
- Distance:
- 2.1 km
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Gabriels Gully Interpretation Walk
Explore Gabriels Gully and the stories of goldfield occupants with a series of interpretation panels as your guide, and picnic at Greys Dam.
- Distance:
- 2.8 km
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Matai Falls Walk
Walk to the Matai Falls through regenerating podocarp and broadleaf forest.
- Distance:
- 1.2 km return via same track
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Picnic Gully Track
This family-friendly track starts near Taieri Mouth.
- Distance:
- 1.5 km return
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Government Track
Walk or mountain bike the Government Track which traverses the slopes of the beech-and mānuka-forested Waipori Valley.
- Distance:
- 17 km
- Difficulty:
- Advanced
- Duration:
- Over 4 hours
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Otago Dam Track
Follow the track to an old water race and visit the historic Otago Dam.
- Distance:
- 4 km
- Difficulty:
- Advanced
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Awakiki Bush Track
An easy walk through lowland tōtara forest.
- Distance:
- 2.7 km
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Clutha Mouth Anniversary Walk
This is a 1.7 km walkway along the top of the flood bank to the end of the track at the river mouth with views of the coastline and out to the Pacific Ocean.
- Distance:
- 1.7 km
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Barrs Falls (Barrs Falls Scenic Reserve)
Take a short walk to an unknown waterfall in the Catlins.
- Distance:
- 320 m
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Kaka Point Bush Walk
This is an easy bush walk in the Kaka Point Scenic Reserve that gives the impression that it is very remote, yet almost within the township of Kaka Point.
- Distance:
- 1.6 km
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Munro’s Gully Track
Explore the beech forest and water races right next to the site of New Zealand’s first goldrush and discover historic dams that powered the shifting of entire hills.
- Distance:
- 2.6 km
- Difficulty:
- Advanced
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Pounawea Nature Walks
These short walks travel through a forest that is full of birdlife. It also travels along a sand spit that is home to wading birds.
- Distance:
- 1 km loop
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Taieri River Track
An interesting walk in the Taieri Gorge that travels alongside the Taieri River and passes through several different types of vegetation.
- Distance:
- 8 km
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Tautuku Bay Nature Walk
Three walks on and around the very scenic Tautuku Bay.
- Distance:
- 1 km return
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Titri Creek Track
See hundreds of wading birds on this family-friendly short walk into the Titri wetands.
- Distance:
- 745 m
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Picnic Point and Kings Rock Track
Explore the coastal area around Papatowai Scenic Reserve - where forest meets sea.
- Distance:
- 5 km return
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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McNally Track
The McNally Track is an open country hike which starts on the outskirts of Milton. The track climbs to a panoramic hilltop, 318 metres above sea level.
- Distance:
- 7 km
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Tuapeka River Dam Walk
Enjoy the peaceful walk alongside the Tuapeka River and enjoy the various historical gold mining sites that were once used in the goldrush.
- Distance:
- 2.1 km
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Lenz Reserve
The Lenz Reserve offers a variety of short, easy trails
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Bull Creek Bush Walk
This easy walk begins beside the beach and takes you through the bush alongside Bull Creek stream.
- Distance:
- 2.3 km
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Sinclair Wetlands
It is a tranquil place, which is internationally recognised as a nature haven. There are a couple of walking tracks from the car park.
- Distance:
- 1-1.5 km
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Old Coach Road
The track follows the original route that horse-drawn coaches took after coming off the beach in Tahakopa Bay.
- Distance:
- 2.5 km via same track
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Roaring Bay Penguin Hide
Next to the iconic Nugget Point, you may spot one of The World’s rarest penguins from a public-viewing hide.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Lake Wilkie
Lake Wilkie is a peat lake that is famous for its mirror reflections on a clear still day.
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Tautuku Estuary Boardwalk
The short boardwalk winds through wetlands with wonderful views across to Maori Tapu (sacred spiritual) land.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Tautuku Hut Track
Begins at McLean Falls car park, this easy-going track takes you to a four bunk hut.
- Distance:
- 8 km return
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Whisky Gully - Whisky Track
A short drive from Tapanui, there is an easy 15 minute loop track through beautiful native bush and birdsong.
- Distance:
- 560 m
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour
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Whisky Gully - First Waterfall
Extend the short Whisky Gully loop track, and head to the waterfall which is a 2 hour return hike through bush.
- Distance:
- 2.1 km
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Lake Tuakitoto
An easy walking and cycling track which takes you around the waters edge of Lake Tuakitoto, Kaitangata.
- Distance:
- 15 km
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Duration:
- 1-4 hours
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Steep Street Domain
Steep Street Domain is located behind Ross Street in Lawrence. There are four unique walking trails to explore, or try out the Fitness Track with 12 obstacles.
- Difficulty:
- Easiest
- Duration:
- Under 1 hour