The town of Stratford has an exceptional walkway called the Carrington Walkway.  To walk the whole track from start to finish allow approx 4 hours, however you can pick it up and drop off at heaps of street ends.  It follows the Patea River for the entire length and you walk through lovely bush areas and at times see backs of properties but the bird song and river sounds make it a peaceful destressing location.  The first hour is over paddocks on farmland on the town boundry (west side) there is some stiles to cross on this section. Then you head thorough a native bush area, there are large swimming holes and it is not uncommon to see local children in the river with their dogs.  A lovely part is through the Rhododendron Dell, here there is also a lovely display of Hosta plants if you miss the flowering time of the year (Oct-Dec).  The final hour is the least used bit so the changes are you will have this section to yourself.  It keeps following the river as it heads out of town to the east.  You do see areas like the oxadation ponds but you also come right along side the river in a very pretty part and see the river take a 90º turn.  Blackberries make a nice snack during March/April months.

Contact the Stratford Information Centre for further info.