Short walks

The centre of New Zealand is the site of the central survey point used for geodetic surveys in the 1870’s.

The Maitai River Walkway is an off-road, shared pathway adjacent to the Maitai River. It is popular with daywalkers, dog walkers, city workers, and cyclists.

The Harwoods Hole track is located in the Canaan Downs Scenic Reserve, near the top of Tākaka Hill. A 45-minute stroll through stunning beech forest and limestone outcrops will take you to a lookout over a giant sinkhole in the Tākaka Valley landscape.

Whispering Falls is Richmond’s hidden gem, set in Mount Richmond Forest Park. A two-hour easy return walk will take you through native podocarp forest, across wooden swing bridges, and along the banks of the Hackett River.

You’ll never experience a beach quite like Farewell Spit in Golden Bay. Mighty, majestic, and magnificent are just three words regularly used to describe the 35km sandspit that shelters the Nelson Tasman region from the wild west coast weather.

Te Waikoropupū Springs are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, and the largest coldwater springs in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Riuwaka Resurgence (Te Puna o Riuwaka) is recognised as wahi tapu (a sacred place) by the people of Te Ātiawa and Ngāti Rārua, and the cultural significance of this place is apparent as you walk through a carved waharoa (entranceway) at the beginning of the track or read the interpretation panels along the way.

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of the Great Walks - New Zealand’s premier hiking tracks, passing through some of the most awe-inspiring and pristine landscapes. This self-guided hike on the 60km track through coastal forest takes 3-5 days.

Stroll through limestone blocks adorned with tentacle-like roots of northern rātā to reach a viewpoint offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

The historic gold-rush town of Murchison retains its old-school charm, which is evident in the series of short-day walks available in the area.

The Pupu Hydro Walkway is a 2-hour loop track that retraces an old gold mining water race.

The Railway Reserve follows the historic railway route that once linked Nelson City with Glenhope in the Tasman District.