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Tracks & walks

Nelson/Marlborough

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Places to visit in Golden Bay

Walks in Golden Bay brochure (PDF, 1000K) (Note: this is a large file and may take a while to download)

Golden Bay

Abel Tasman Coast Track

Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, is an easy 3 – 5 day tramp that features stunning coastal views and tremendous beaches.
Category:  Great Walk/Easy tramping track
Distance:  52 km
Completion Time:  3 - 5 days

Aorere Goldfields Track

Aorere Goldfields Track is a 3-hour loop, which gives you access to explore some of the more accessible gold-mining remnants.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 3 hr circuit

Farewell Spit & Puponga Farm Park tramping tracks

Tramping tracks on Farewell Spit will take you to the cliff-top viewing platform of Cape Farewell and the dramatic views at Wharariki Beach.
Category: Tramping track

Farewell Spit & Puponga Farm Park walking tracks

On the various walking tracks of Farewell Spit and Puponga Farm Park you can explore Wharariki Beach, the lighthouse and Fossil Point.
Category: Walking track

Gibbs Hill mountain bike trial

Find out about the two year Gibbs Hill mountain bike trial in Abel Tasman National Park.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 10 km one way from Totaranui to Wainui. Can be a 23 km loop using unsealed roads as well as track.

Harwoods Track

At the end of Harwoods Track is Harwoods Hole, the deepest vertical shaft in New Zealand. Find out how to get there and important safety information.
Category:  Walking track
Distance:  2.9 km one way
Completion Time:  45 min one way
Alert:  Harwoods Hole is at the end the track. Children need to be supervised; it is very dangerous to approach the hole beyond the warning signs.

Heaphy Track

The 78.4 km Heaphy Track is the longest of the DOC Great Walks. Located in Kahurangi National Park, the track crosses expansive tussock downs, lush forests, and stunning coastline.
Category:  Great Walk/Easy tramping track
Distance:  78.4 km
Completion Time:  4 - 6 days

Inland Track

Inland Track travels through regenerating and undisturbed forest where tui, bellbirds and other wildlife can be seen. Occasional granite outcrops offer excellent views of the coast.
Category:  Tramping track
Distance:  37.5 km
Completion Time:  3 days

Kahurangi Point route

Kahurangi Point is an unmarked route, mostly along the beach. If time allows, plan to stay overnight at Kahurangi Keepers' House, close to Kahurangi Point.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 3-4 hr

Kaihoka Lakes walk

This 10 minute walk begins beside one lake and heads gently down to the other.
Category:  Walking track
Distance:  1.3 km
Completion Time:  10 min

Kaituna Track

Beautiful native forest and gold-mining relics are the main attractions of the Kaituna Valley. To walk the whole track takes 8-9 hours, or there are shorter walks from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
Category: Route
Completion Time: 8-9 hr or shorter walks from 20 min to 2 hr

Knuckle Hill Track

From the top of Knuckle Hill are excellent views of the top of the South Island, particularly Farewell Spit and Whanganui Inlet.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 1 hr 20 min

Parapara Peak

The track to the summit of Parapara Peak (1249 m) is steep and difficult, and requires fitness and experience.
Category: Tramping track

Paynes Ford Scenic Reserve

Paynes Ford Scenic Reserve is known for its impressive line of bluffs and is one of New Zealand’s popular rock-climbing areas.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 30 min one way

Pupu Hydro Walkway

Retracing an old gold-mining water race, this track passes through forest of young beech and rimu to mature podocarps.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 1hr 50 min

Rawhiti Cave route

Rawhiti Cave has possibly the most diverse and extensive entrance - and twilight-zone flora of any cave in New Zealand.
Category: Tramping track
Completion Time: 1 hr

Takaka short walks

Te Waikoropupu Springs, Milnthorpe Park and Grove Scenic Reserve are all a short drive from Takaka and have good opportunities for short walks.
Category: Short walk

Wainui Falls track

A stunning native bush track along the Wainui River leads to Wainui Falls, the largest falls in Golden Bay.
Category:  Tramping track
Distance:  1.5 km
Completion Time:  30 min

Washbourne Scenic Reserve walk

The Washbourne Scenic Reserve is a delightful patch of forest, providing a very easy 15-minute walk.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: 15 min return

Find out more

Walks in Golden Bay

Easy access walks - North Island

Easy access walks - South Island

New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres

Track category definitions

Plan and prepare for your trip

The Great Walks

Stop the spread of didymo
Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Safety information

Always contact the nearest visitor centre for the latest information about facilities and conditions.

For more information about the Abel Tasman Coast Track contact:

Nelson Regional Visitor Centre
Phone:	+64 3 546 9339
Address:	Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 79 Trafalgar Street Nelson 7010
Email:
Full office details

For booking huts or campsites contact:

Great Walks Helpdesk Nelson
Phone:	+64 3 546 8210
Email:
Full office details

For Golden Bay information contact:

Golden Bay Area Office
Phone:	+64 3 525 8026
Email:
Full office details

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