From the mouth of the Albert Burn follow the farmed river flats into the gorge and on to the Albert Burn Hut. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 3 - 4 hr
A boardwalk and saltmarsh experience on the edge of Otago Harbour that suits all ages and abilities. Category: Short walk Completion Time: 20 min return
The Arawata Bridle Track follows part of the original bridle trail that connected Queenstown and Glenorchy. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr
The track starts immediately behind Aspiring Hut and climbs steadily through mixed beech forest. Category: Route Distance: 6 km Completion Time: 4 - 5 hr
The track enters the bush near Aspiring Hut, emerges onto an open terrace leading to Shovel Flat and continues from there to Pearl Flat. Category: Great Walk/Easy tramping track Distance: 5 km Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min
The Ben Lomond Track is a demanding climb, but on clear days trampers are rewarded at the summit with spectacular panoramic views. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 7 hr
Take a short walk around historic, man-made Blue Lake in St Bathans and view sluicings and gold mining relics. Category: Short walk Completion Time: 30 min
The track starts at the Blue Pools carpark and climbs round and above the Blue River before descending to Camp Flat, a pleasant lunch stop or camp site. Category: Tramping track Distance: 2.5 km Completion Time: 3 hr
An extension of the very popular Blue Pools Walk that connects with the Young River. It is also an alternative, high river route on to the Gillespie Pass Circuit. Category: Great Walk/Easy tramping track Distance: 7 km Completion Time: 1.5 - 2 hr
On Bob's Cove Bridle Track you'll follow history along the original bridle track that linked Queenstown and Glenorchy. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 45 min
Along the Bob’s Cove Track and Nature Walk you'll find historic sites, swimming beaches and fishing opportunities. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 20 min
This well-graded track follows a section of the old Bridle Track, the first link between Otago and Westland. Category: Walking track Distance: 3.5 km Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min one way
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. Category: Tramping track
Starting at the Cameron Creek car park enjoy a good day's tramp ending at the 4-bunk Cameron Hut. Category: Tramping track Distance: 7 km Completion Time: 4 - 5 hr
The Cascade Saddle Route is an alpine crossing between the West Matukituki and the Dart valleys in Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Category: Route Distance: Approx. 60 km Completion Time: 1 - 2 days
A bush walk that leads to Waipati Beach and the very popular Cathedral Caves. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 50 min return
An attractive, forest-lined river walk of three sections that has several natural features and access to good fishing. Category: Walking track
Walks to two easy access waterfalls: the Matai Falls and the very well known and often photographed, Purakanui Falls. Category: Short walk
This signposted walk in Bendigo Conservation Area takes you down to the mine entrances and the recently restored stamper battery. Category: Walking track Distance: 2 km Completion Time: 15 min return
Retrace the miners’ daily walk from their homes in Skippers to the Crystal Mine, their workplace in the 1930s and 40s. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr
The track at Diamond Creek follows the true left bank of the creek to Lake Reid. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 30 min
These two excellent walks in the Diamond Lake Conservation Area give wonderful views of the surrounding alps and Lake Wanaka. Category: Walking track
A two- to three-day tramping track through an upland valley in Hawea Conservation Park. It also provides access to Ahuriri Conservation Park. Category: Tramping track Distance: 41 km
The Double Barrel Creek Track is an easy half-hour loop track through red beech forest. Category: Short walk Completion Time: 30 min
These tailings are nationally significant as the only complete record of dredging activity from 1863 to 1963. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 2 - 3 hr
Following Earnslaw Burn through bush to the tussock basin at the head of this valley for impressive views of an icefall on Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 4 - 6 hr one way
The East Matukituki Valley provides good day walks and access to several demanding tramping and climbing routes in Mount Aspiring National Park. Category: Tramping track
Along the Fernhill - One Mile Track you'll see a mixture of exotic and beech forest, with alpine tussocklands at the highest sections. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 3 - 4 hr
A well-graded walk to the summit of Flagstaff, one of the hills behind Dunedin, through tussock grasslands and boulderfields. Panoramic views of Dunedin city and its environs. Category: Short walk Distance: About 2 km
The well-used Frankton Walkway provides a pleasant stroll or bicycle ride along the lakeshore between Queenstown and Frankton. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min
Starting at Pearl Flat by Aspiring Hut the track crosses the Matukituki River and climbs through bush to the gentle tussock slopes in the sub-alpine zone. Category: Tramping track Distance: 7.2 km Completion Time: 4-5 hours
This is an excellent 58 kilometre, 3-4 day round trip. But not suitable in winter and at other times only to be undertaken by relatively experienced parties. Category: Tramping track Distance: 58 km Completion Time: 3 - 4 days Alert: The Young Valley Catchment still poses a risk to trampers
At Glacier Burn you'll climb through beech forest to Glacier Basin. Follow the creek beyond to view the Humboldt Mountains. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 2 - 4 hr
Glenorchy Walkway offers excellent opportunities to view bird life, including black swans and Canada Geese, as its boardwalk traverses wetlands just north of Glenorchy. A great family walk ideal for picnics with views of Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr loop track
Grahams Bush Track climbs from close to sea level at Sawyers Bay to finish up on Mount Cargill Road. Category: Walking track Distance: 4 km Completion Time: 2.5 hr return
This tramping track through a spectacular landscape connects Sandy Point and Awa Nohoaka Conservation Areas in the Upper Clutha Valley. Category: Tramping track
The Caples and Greenstone tracks start from the car park at the end of Greenstone Road, 86 km from Queenstown, via Glenorchy. Alternatively, they can be started from Howden Hut on the Routeburn Track. Category: Great Walk/Easy tramping track Completion Time: 4 - 5 days
This newly formed track leads to a view point above the bushline that provides a stunning vista. Category: Walking track Distance: 2 km Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min return
Looking for a short walk in Haast Pass? You'll find options ranging from five minute ambles to two hour climbs. Category: Short walk
A cliff top track with great coastal views; through farm land and regenerating forest. Category: Tramping track Distance: 5 km Completion Time: 2 hr return Alert: Closed for lambing, 1 August to 31 October
This provides access to one of the Hawea Conservation Park's most beautiful areas, the Hunter Valley. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 5 - 6 hr Alert: The Long Flat Creek swing bridge in the Hunter Valley has been permanently removed.
Built by miners in the 1880s, the Invincible Gold Mine Track is an uphill walk that offers wonderful views of the Rees Valley and Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 3 hr return
A good walk to one of the Catlins' longstanding attractions, the often spectacular Jacks Blowhole. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr return
Short walks in the Kaka Point and Nugget Point/Tokatā area. Easily accessed bush and forest walks, and very special coastal wildlife. Category: Short walk
Kānuka Loop Track is the only DOC managed bush walk in Central Otago. Category: Tramping track Distance: 10 km Completion Time: 5 hr
It takes half a day to climb to this beautiful sub-alpine tussock basin beneath Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 4 - 5 hr one way
The Kelvin Peninsula Track follows along the southern side of Frankton Arm and alternates from sidling below homes to traversing through regenerating native bush. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1hr 30 min
From Lake Dispute you can walk to Moke Lake. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 2 hr
On the Lake Dispute Track you'll climb steeply through shrubland before reaching this high country lake. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 45 min
A steep climb through red beech eases before reaching picturesque Lake Rere, a popular tourist destination in the late 19th century. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 4 - 6 hr
This well-defined track leads through old moraine river terraces and tall red beech/tawhai raunui to pretty Lake Sylvan in Mount Aspiring National Park. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 40 min
A 3.5-hour tramping track that travels through the cloud forest above the Leith Saddle on Dunedin's Northern Motorway. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 3.5 hr return
A range of tracks for walkers and mountain bikers alike, in an attractive, upland valley. Easily accessed off SH8 between Tarras and Omarama. Category: Tramping track
This route is in the Pisa Conservation Area which lies between Wanaka and Cromwell. Category: Route Completion Time: 6 - 7 hr return
Liverpool Hut Track is in the Matukituki Valley, an hour’s drive west from Wanaka. The track starts at Aspiring Hut which you get to on the West Matukituki Track. Category: Tramping track Distance: 6 km Completion Time: 3 - 4 hr
Experienced trampers can walk to the 4-bunk Makarora Hut, taking in the Stewart Falls along the way. Category: Tramping track Distance: 10.5 km Completion Time: 5 - 7 hr
This area offers walking and mountain biking opportunities in a spectacular lakeside and alpine landscape. Category: Tramping track
A forest-lined walk to a spectacular waterfall in Catlins Forest Park. Category: Walking track Distance: 2km return Completion Time: 30 min return
This walk passes through native forest and bush, crossing burns (streams) and giving access to Lake Wanaka itself. This track is suitable for walking, mountain biking and horse riding. Category: Walking track
The Motatapu Track is a new and demanding, 34-kilometre, three- to four-day alpine tramp for experienced parties. It follows much of an historic route that linked the Wanaka and Arrowtown areas. Category: Tramping track
A good zigzag track climbs three quarters of the way up Mt Alfred. From there you'll follow a marked route to the bushline. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 3 - 4 hr
The track starts from Fantail Falls, crosses the Haast River, and climbs steadily through beech forest to the bushline. Category: Tramping track Distance: 2.5 km Completion Time: 3 - 4 hr
This very popular, close-to-Wanaka-town loop walk suits all ages and abilities and offers great views from the summit. Category: Walking track Distance: 4.5 km Completion Time: 1.5 hr
A good, steep bush walk to the uplands of the McKerrow Range. Great views of the Makarora Valley below and the alps beyond. Category: Tramping track Distance: 6 km Completion Time: 5 hr return
Thiis is a great coastal walk linking Surat and Cannibal Bays, two haulout sites for New Zealand sea lions. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 5 hr return
One Mile Creek Walk follows an old pipeline up to One Mile Dam, once part of one of New Zealand’s first hydro-electric power schemes. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min
Developed for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, the Otago Central Rail Trail follows the former Otago Central Branch railway line for 150 kilometres from Middlemarch to Clyde. Category: Walking track
Three excellent walks on Otago Peninsula, combining coastal views with good prospects for wildlife viewing Category: Walking track
A very pleasant forested walking track that follows the Taieri River round to the confluence of Lee Stream with the river. Category: Walking track Distance: 12.5 km return Completion Time: 3 hr return
Short walks near Owaka, easily accessed off the Southern Scenic Route; waterfalls, coastal views and walks and wildlife. Category: Short walk
This track climbs through beech forest crossing swingbridges to bring you to the head of the Matukituki Valley. Category: Tramping track Distance: 3.2 km Completion Time: 2 hr
Three tracks are on and around the uplands of the Pisa Conservation Area which lies between Wanaka and Cromwell. Category: Tramping track
Take a short walk or mountain bike ride to Quartz Reef Point, the best preserved example of herring bone tailings in the country. Category: Walking track
The 500-metre climb up Queenstown Hill Time Walk to the summit of Te Tapu-nui (mountain of intense sacredness) is well rewarded by the views. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 2 - 3 hours
The Rees-Dart Track is a 4 - 5 day tramping circuit which follows the Rees River and the Dart River, through leasehold farmland and the southern part of Mount Aspiring National Park. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 4 - 5 days
An excelllent walking track alongside the Clutha River/Mata Au, that also provides access to Reko's Conservation Area. Category: Short walk Completion Time: 1 hr
Rob Roy Valley is a good entry point to an area of spectacular alpine scenery, snowfields, glaciers, sheer rock cliffs and waterfalls. Category: Walking track Distance: 10 km Completion Time: 3 - 4 hr return Alert: There is avalanche danger during winter and spring (June-November) on the Rob Roy Track.
An easy going, well interpreted loop track ideal fpr a family walk. It passes through beech/tawhai forest and other vegetation, similar to what the famed Routeburn Track passes through. Category: Short walk Completion Time: 40 min - 1 hr
The Routeburn Track spans both Otago and Southland areas. This link will take you to information about this Great Walk in the Te Anau area of the website. Category: Great Walk/Easy tramping track Distance: 32 km Completion Time: 3 days
Roys Peak Track is a walking track in the Wanaka Area. Category: Walking track Distance: 11 km Completion Time: 5-6 hr return
This route to a bush-line musterers' hut is for experienced trampers. It is irregularly marked, steep and in parts obscure and washed out. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 8 hr
Seven Mile Track and Wilson Bay Track are dual-purpose tracks for walkers and mountain bikers. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min
The Shotover Saddle Route offers magnificent views of the West Matukituki and Rob Roy valleys. Category: Route Completion Time: 3 hr
There are a number of short walks in the Skippers area, providing an insight to the early pioneer mining era. Category: Short walk
The Skyline Route is a tramping track in the Wanaka Area. Category: Tramping track Distance: 19 km Completion Time: 10-11 hrs
This marked track traverses moraine through beech forest from Lake Sylvan. Category: Tramping track
Sunshine Bay Walk is a native bush walk that follows along the lakeshore to the Sunshine Bay jetty and carpark. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 45 min
Three walks on and around the very scenic Tautuku Bay. Category: Short walk
This demanding two- to three-day tramp is for experienced parties. From Lake Hawea it follows the Timaru River, crosses Mount Martha Saddle and descends into the Ahuriri Valley. Category: Tramping track Distance: 38km
A coastal cliff track south of Dunedin and accessible from an early stage of the Southern Scenic Route Category: Walking track Distance: 2 km Completion Time: 1 hr return Alert: Closed for lambing, 1 August to 31 October
The Turihuka Track is a pleasant walk to the Turihuka Conservation Area. It also provides access into Hawea Conservation Park via the Dingle Burn and Hunter River Tracks. Category: Walking track Distance: 11 km Completion Time: 3 - 4 hr
From Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track is a 1.5 hour/one way walk where you'll see ancient marine sediments. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min
Two easy family walks combining forest and foreshore on the Catlins Coast. Both are just off the Southern Scenic Route and easy to access. Category: Walking track
The tramp to Aspiring Hut and beyond gives great views up and down the West Matukituki Valley. It leads onto French Ridge and Liverpool tracks. Category: Great Walk/Easy tramping track Alert: There is avalanche danger during winter and spring (June-November) on the Pearl Flat to the head of the valley section.
Two tramping tracks in Whakaari Conservation Area that have been developed as outcomes from Tenure Review on Wyuna Station near Glenorchy. Category: Tramping track
This route crosses Rabbit Pass to connect with the East branch of the Matukituki River. It is suitable for experienced alpine trampers and only to be undertaken in good conditions. Category: Route Alert: This route is suitable for experienced alpine trampers and only to be undertaken in good conditions. Don't hesitate to turn back if in doubt or if conditions are unfavourable.
These tracks follow the upper reaches of the Wilkin Valley and can be treated as a separate tramping trip or connect with, say, the Gillespie Circuit. It can also lead to a route to the Matukituki Valley. Category: Tramping track
This track is for experienced trampers and starts at the Gates of Haast Bridge. Category: Tramping track Distance: 7.5 km Completion Time: 5 - 6 hr
back to top
Easy access walks - North Island
Easy access walks - South Island
NZ weather
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 didymoCheck, 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.
Check the Otago important visitor notices and track updates
DOC visitor centres