Catlins river walk wisp loop track

Tracks & Trails

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
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
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
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
Purakaunui Falls Walk

Walk to the well known and often photographed Purakaunui Falls.

Distance:

600 metres return

Difficulty:

Easiest

Duration:

Under 1 hour
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
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
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
Jacks Blowhole Track

Walk to a spectacular blowhole with exploding waves and roaring sound effects.

Distance:

3 km

Difficulty:

Easy

Duration:

Under 1 hour
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
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
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
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
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
Picnic Gully Track

This family-friendly track starts near Taieri Mouth.

Distance:

1.5 km return

Difficulty:

Easiest

Duration:

Under 1 hour
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
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
Awakiki Bush Track

An easy walk through lowland tōtara forest.

Distance:

2.7 km

Difficulty:

Easiest

Duration:

Under 1 hour
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tautuku Bay Nature Walk

Three walks on and around the very scenic Tautuku Bay.

Distance:

1 km return

Difficulty:

Easiest

Duration:

Under 1 hour
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
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
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
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
Lenz Reserve

The Lenz Reserve offers a variety of short, easy trails

Difficulty:

Easy

Duration:

Under 1 hour
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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