Historic tracks

Larry's Creek

Track. Easy. Loop track. Updated 16 September 201016 September 2010.

A less well-known track into a gold mining site north of Reefton. A feature is the restored Robey portable steam engine. More ▶︎

Lyell Walkway

Track. Easy. Loop track. Created 17 November 200317 November 2003.

This loop track under pretty beech forest explores the history of the gold mining town of Lyell, including cemetery, stamper battery, diversion tunnel, and dray road. Part of the loop is closed after heavy rain due to risk of slips. More ▶︎

Pioneer Cemetery Walk

Track. Easy. Return via same track. Updated 31 May 201131 May 2011.

A brief, easy walk to Lyell Cemetery, hidden under beech forest above the creek. More ▶︎

Packhorse Hut Track

Track. 0 – 2 days. Easy. Return by the same track. Updated 6 October 20156 October 2015.

A gentle climb to the historic "Sign of the Packhorse" hut beneath Mount Bradley on Banks Peninsula. Views of the Port Hills and the head of Lyttelton Harbour. More ▶︎

Te Ara Pātaka

Track. 2 – 3 days. Easy/medium. One way. Updated 9 March 20169 March 2016.

This track between Gebbies Pass and Hilltop was once surveyed as part of the Banks Peninsula Summit Road, although never constructed. Farm and tussocklands, expansive views, and remnant tōtara forest. More ▶︎

Te Ana o Matuku Cave

Track. Easy. Return by the same track. Updated 30 January 201930 January 2019.

An historic cave on the Paparoa National Park coastline. More ▶︎

Rolleston Pack Track

Track. Easy. One way. Updated 21 March 201021 March 2010.

An old pack track near Lewis Pass. This is a pleasant forest walk, and an alternative to walking along the road between Deer Valley Camping Area and the St James car park. More ▶︎

Hump Ridge Track

Track. 3 days. Easy/medium. Loop track. Updated 13 July 201713 July 2017.

The Hump Ridge Track links the Waitutu coastline west of Invercargill with the subalpine landscape of the Hump Ridge. Historic buildings and viaducts. More ▶︎

Quail Island

Track. Easy. Loop track. Updated 16 November 200516 November 2005.

Ever wanted to spend the day in the middle of an old volcano? More ▶︎

Waitawheta Tramway

Track. 2 days. Easy/medium. Return by the same track. Updated 21 March 201421 March 2014.

This is any easy overnight tramp in the Kaimai ranges. It follows the path of an old logging tramway up the Waitawheta river to the new Waitawheta Hut at an old sawmill site. More ▶︎

Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (Pinnacles Walk)

Track. 1 – 2 days. Easy/medium. Return by the same track. Updated 19 July 201719 July 2017.

An overnight trip past old kauri dams to The Pinnacles, on Coromandel Peninsula. More ▶︎

Milford Track

Track. 4 days. Easy/medium. One way. Updated 5 February 20195 February 2019.

The Milford Track is an alpine journey through Fiordland National Park, and New Zealand's most renowned walking track, visited by approximately 6 500 walkers during the Summer Season each year. Almost half of this number are New Zealanders. More ▶︎

Big River - Inangahua Track

Track. 2 – 3 days. Medium. Loop with brief road section. Updated 27 June 201927 June 2019.

Faded gold miners' trails into the remains of the Big River gold town, past old stamper batteries, rails, mines and buildings. More ▶︎

Routeburn Track

Track. 2 – 4 days. Easy/medium. One way. Updated 4 June 20194 June 2019.

An internationally renowned and popular alpine crossing between Fiordland and Lake Wakatipu. More ▶︎

Otago Central Rail Trail

Track. 5 days. Easy. One way. Updated 24 September 201424 September 2014.

Following the path of the former railway line from Middlemarch to Clyde this trail features old bridges, viaducts, tunnels, and small towns. This track is probably better mountain biked than walked. More ▶︎

Kirwans Track

Track. 2 – 3 days. Easy/medium. Loop track. Updated 5 March 20185 March 2018.

This classic circuit explore Reefton's gold history, starting from the site of the Capleston gold town and leading up to a spectacular hut on Kirwans Hill. Visit an open cast mine site with aerial ropeway, and a large quartz stamper ... More ▶︎

Heaphy Track

Track. 4 – 6 days. Easy. One way. Updated 13 July 201713 July 2017.

A classic crossing of the geologically and biologically diverse northwest corner of the South Island. The track is also open to mountain bikes May to September. More ▶︎

Dusky Track

Track. 8 – 10 days. Medium. One way. Updated 19 July 201719 July 2017.

This journey explores the glacial valleys and mountains of Fiordland from Lake Hauroko to Lake Manapouri, visiting Dusky Sound along the way. More ▶︎

Wangapeka Track

Track. 4 – 5 days. Medium. One way. Updated 14 December 201514 December 2015.

A Long gold trail following a series of river valleys. More ▶︎

Bridle Path

Track. Easy. One way. Updated 21 October 201521 October 2015.

The historic route used by the Canterbury settlers travelling between Lyttelton and Christchurch. More ▶︎

Rakiura Track

Track. 3 days. Easy/medium. Loop track. Updated 13 July 201713 July 2017.

An historic walk through almost deserted, pure podocarp forest. More ▶︎

Arthur's Pass Village Historic Walk

Track. Easy. Loop track. Updated 17 February 200617 February 2006.

Introductory circuit of the village, providing a history of the Pass and the rail tunnel. More ▶︎

Macetown Road

Track. 1 – 2 days. Easy. Return via same track. Updated 22 November 200522 November 2005.

Historic road leading to a pretty, abandoned gold town. More ▶︎

Onawe

Track. Easy. Loop track. Updated 1 January 20071 January 2007.

Historic volcanic peninsula in Akaroa Harbour. More ▶︎

Godley Head Walkway

Track. Easy. Loop track. Created 1 June 20011 June 2001.

A popular coastal walk with sea cliffs and historic military buildings. More ▶︎

Croesus Track

Track. 2 days. Easy. One way. Created 1 June 20011 June 2001.

An easy route onto the alpine landscape of the Paparoa Ranges along an historic mining road. More ▶︎

Bush Creek

Track. Easy. Return via same track. Created 1 June 20011 June 2001.

A short, easy walk along an historic creek to a dam at the old Arrowtown water supply intake. More ▶︎

Mount Somers Track

Track. 2 days. Easy/medium. One way. Updated 19 October 200519 October 2005.

Leading around the back of Mount Somers, an ancient volcano, this track explores a fascinating landscape with handsome grasslands and sweeping views. More ▶︎

Dun Mountain

Track. 2 days. Easy/medium. Return via same track. Updated 29 November 201229 November 2012.

An historic climb along New Zealand's first railway onto the barren, toxic soils of the Nelson Mineral Belt. More ▶︎

Whitcombe Pass

Track. 5 – 7 days. Medium/hard. One way. Updated 3 June 20133 June 2013.

This route follows the famous journey by John Henry Whitcombe and the Swiss guide Jakob Lauper across the Main Divide in 1863. Whitcombe and Lauper were not the first across the pass: it was already well used by Maori. Following ... More ▶︎