Walking New Zealand

The Longwoods Forest Regeneration Project The Longwoods section of Te Araroa is one of the toughest parts of the trail. For many walkers, it's a slog through deep mud and widening bogs, with little respite. The Te Araroa Trust is committed to changing that – but it won't happen overnight. This is a multi-year project, and phase one starts now. With the public's help, they will begin work on 1000m of raised timber boardwalks to make the trail safer, more enjoyable, and better for the environment. Their goal for this phase is to fundraise $30,000 to install as much boardwalk as possible this season. Every metre counts toward reducing damage, protecting fragile wetlands, and improving the experience for walkers. Quirky history tour available in Mandurah An e-bike tour with a…

Just a short 20 minute drive or bus ride from Wellington's urban heart lies one of the region's most rewarding coastal walks: the Red Rocks Coastal Walk to Pariwhero / Red Rocks. With dramatic geological scenery, sweeping views across Cook Strait and a seasonal fur seal colony, this is a quintessential Wellington walk that's easy to fit into a half-day adventure. Starting from the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre car park at the end of Ōwhiro Bay Parade, the trail follows an unsealed 4WD road and coastal track along the south-facing shore towards Sinclair Head (often called Devil's Gate). This is a largely flat coastal walk, ideal for most walkers and families, with a return distance of around 7.4 km taking 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace. Depending on your energy…

1st Unusually high temperatures likely in the Manawatu to the lower North Island. 1st-2nd Chance of the remnants of an ex-tropical cyclone crossing the South Island around this time, producing some heavy rain for a time mostly on the West Coast, and very strong winds to most parts of the country south of Auckland. Chance that high wind gusts may cause some damage to infrastructure and power outages from the lower North Island to Canterbury regions. 3rd-4th A trough between two high pressure centres lingers over the country bringing showers mostly through central New Zealand. 4th-5th High pressure prevails. Chance of misty patches in the Christchurch area. 5th-7th Scattered rain throughout most of the country, later clearing in the southern half of the South Island. 8th-10th A trough between two…

The landscape from the Coromandel to Te Puke offers a remarkable diversity of walking experiences, where sweeping coastlines meet lush native bush. From the rugged tracks of the Kaimai Range and the dramatic beauty of Karangahake Gorge to coastal paths shaped by wind and sea, these landscapes are rich with cultural stories and tales of the region's mining past. The ECHO Walking Festival brings these stories and places together, offering a programme of walks led by knowledgeable guides who invite walkers to explore, connect and truly experience this special part of Aotearoa. Running from 20 March – 19 April 2026, ECHO provides walkers of all abilities and ages the opportunity to explore and learn about this unique part of our country. With 44 walks ranging from short, gentle outings to…

Taihape in the Rangitikei, features two pleasant walking opportunities both close to the town centre. Best known is the Mt Stewart Reserve walk which starts at the Gumboot sculpture beside SH1 at the north end of the town. A 1.3km uphill track which climbs through native bush with labelled trees takes you to the summit of Mt Stewart. It's a relatively short and easy loop walk but be prepared for some steep sections with stairs. A lookout at the top provides 360 degree views of the town, Mt Ruapehu and the Ruahine Range which make the climb well worthwhile. Just down the road and a two minute drive from SH1 is Papakai Park, once a centre of summer activity in Taihape. Over the years the park and riverside trails had…

There is no better season than spring to discover Greece on foot. Before the summer heat settles over the mainland and islands, the countryside comes alive with carpets of wildflowers, soft breezes, and the gentle warmth that makes walking an absolute pleasure. The adventure begins in Athens, where history rises above the city in the soaring columns of the Acropolis and its iconic Parthenon. After exploring the ancient heart of the capital, you can dive into its modern spirit on a food tour through bustling markets and aromatic bakeries—an introduction to Greece's famously generous cuisine. From there, the tour moves into the mountains of Parnassus and the atmospheric ruins of Delphi, where myth and landscape meet in one of the ancient world's most sacred places. Then it's off to Crete,…