We’ve found five beautiful walks in New Zealand to explore.
Words Makayla Wallace-Tidd
Silica Rapids Walk – Ruapehu
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 4.7km
- Time to complete: 2h 10m
Experience the beauty of the Silica Rapids from the viewing platform on this rewarding walk. Be sure to wear warm clothes in winter as the temperature can be quite cold. The start of the walk is located just up the road from the Chateau in the National Park.
Wilton’s Bush Reserve Walk – Wellington
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 2km
- Time to complete: 2h
New Zealand’s only native plant-focused botanical garden open to the public. The site is wheelchair friendly and the paths are gravelled. There are five hectares of plant collections and an 800-year-old rimu tree within the native forest.
Roys Peak Track Walk – Wanaka
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 6.5km
- Time to complete: 5h to 7h
Something for people keen to break a sweat, as well as be amazed by the views from the top. This uphill walk gives you a wonderful view of the South Island Lakes and Wanaka. Located 6km from Wanaka town, it’s close enough to grab a hotel for the night, too.
Redwoods Grove Walk – Rotorua
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 11.5km
- Time to complete: 3h 30m
Walk among the magnificent 100-year-old redwood trees that make up the 288-hectare forest. This walk goes through a pine forest, native bush and a small redwood grove. The grove is dedicated to the New Zealand Forest Service members who died in the World Wars.
White Pine Bush Reserve Walkway – Hawke’s Bay
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Distance: 1.4km
- Time to complete: 30m
A relaxing walk for families and friends that provides some of New Zealand’s finest native birds. The track is wheelchair accessible and it’s recommended you carry out the work in an anti-clockwise manner. The walk offers a selection of native fauna such as kahikatea, tawa, nikau palms and ferns.
