Explore the foothill forest around Glentui & Ashley Gorge, with beautiful waterfalls, walking tracks and popular for kayakers and mountain biking too.

Try these walking tracks:

• Glentui Nature Trail | 1 hour loop track | This track leads down to the  Glentui River then climbs a ridge on the other side. It links first with the Bypass Track, then the Richardson Track before returning to the picnic area.

• Glentui Waterfall Track | 30 minutes return | This easy walk takes you to a lookout providing an impressive view of a beautiful waterfall on the Glentui River.  Please note there was track leading to the Ashley Waterfall, however this track is now permanently closed.

• Mountain Biking | The Blowhard track provides mountain bike riders with an energetic ascent of Mt Richardson, and a suitably rapid descent.

• Kayaking | The Ashley Gorge below the Lees Valley Road Bridge is popular with kayakers. Only experienced paddlers should tackle this section of river, rapids are graded 2-3.

For more information and latest track conditions, check the DOC link or the downloadable online brochure.

DOC Warning | "Beware of wasps here in summer. Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March each year.  It is recommended that forest users carry wasp first aid kits as a precaution. These are generally available from chemists."

Getting to Glentui Gorge | Drive down Glentui Bush Road for around 2.5kms (it's a winding gravel road and takes you to the Glentui Picnic Area, where the walks begin).

See our map for directions:


View Things to do in Canterbury in a larger map

Take a stroll along New Zealand's once longest spanning bridge (back in the late 1800s).  The Clifden Suspension Bridge is now open only to pedestrians and was built over the limestone banks of the Waiau River. 

There's a couple of lovely picnic spots below the bridge, riverside.  Bring your camera!

We Reckon | A nice stroll, pretty rustic bridge.

Getting to the Clifden Historic Bridge | See our map for directions:


View Things to do in Southland in a larger map

Photo Credit | Clifden Suspension Bridge, Southland

Jump on board the Rain Forest Express Train and have a family adventure on a narrow railway through the Waitakeres.  Check out the glow worms, cave wetas, awesome rainforest and relax with a picnic rest stop.

Watercare's Rain Forest Express for a narrow-gauge railway adventure you’ll find deep in the heart of the Waitakere Ranges. On a miniature train, travel over wooden bridges, through numerous tunnels, view ancient forest and look out over the Manukau Harbour.

If you are looking for things to do in Auckland, then don't overlook this little gem!

The train reaches the Upper Nihotupu Dam in the beautiful bush where you can stop for a breather and a stretch. This is a working railway, still used for dam maintenance.  The train runs with regular weekend trips, with evening adventures over summer.

There are a several trip options ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 hours (and all have a comfort stop or picnic stop off options). Very highly recommended. 
 
We Reckon | A fabulous time out for the whole family. The native rainforest is just beautiful and untouched. Once you get to the picnic area, it's up to you what you do for around an hour; so walk to the Upper Nihotupu Dam or stay put and enjoy the sunshine and some lunch around the picnic area. Magic.

You Reckon | "We had a lovely afternoon on the Watercare Train. I would recommend for young and old, visitors and locals alike. There were some kids about 2 years old on the train and they loved it. We stopped at the end for a walk up to the dam and the friendly and informative staff really were fantastic. I hope this train trip will be enjoyed by many in the years to come." Jackie Waters (NZ) 

Check here for schedule or for more information check the Rain Forest Express website. Bookings are essential. 

Getting to the Rainforest Express HQ | See our map for directions:


View Things to do in Auckland in a larger map

Retrace history as you stroll through the Tatare Tunnels.  In the late 1800s, pioneers moved inland in search of gold in the Waiho/Callery River junction. 

There's a 500 metre tunnel system through from the Tatare Gorge, drilled to pipe water to the Waiho terrace.

Glow-worms are visible in the tunnels at night.  Allow 80 minutes for the return walk.  For more information and latest track conditions, check the DOC link.

Getting to the Tatare Tunnels | The beginning of the walk starts at the northern end of Cowan Street.
See our map for directions:


View Things to do in the West Coast in a larger map

Photo Credit | Waiho Valley © Phillip Capper

Attempt to capture the opposing team’s flag without being tagged and expect to get fired upon – heavily!  Paint ball is heaps of fun - energetic and strategic too. 

In no time you’ll be diving behind the pines and lurking in the creek ready to ambush with the team at Hinterland Adventures. 

All the paint guns and ammo is supplied, as with the safety gear – however you will need to provide the sense of adventure.

For Paintball action in Hamilton, there are two fields to choose from:

• Field 1: pine gully and creek

• Field 2: speed ball – with more than 60 obstacles to make a tactically different game from Field 1.

They have a viewing platform for the spectators and a BBQ area for the after match feed. Players have to be a minimum of 11yrs, and a minimum group size of 6 players. Check out their site for game pricing and options.

Open 7 days a week, bookings with Hinterland Adventures are essential.  Check out archery, outdoor laser tag, and claybird shooting too.

Getting to Hinderland Adventures | See our map for directions:


View Things to do in Waikato in a larger map

Photo Credit | Paintball Games © Hinterland Adventures

Get on your bike!  There are several mountain biking trails available in the Hunua Ranges: the Waharau Ridge Loop (which is also a walking track) and also the Whakatawhi Ridge route – approx 180 minutes, 18kms – go for it!

"The Family Trail, is an easy mountain bike ride down a gravel road loop with a tiny bit of single track at the end. To get there, from the carpark ride back down the road, turn left at the first intersection and hop over a large steel gate. Ride up the gravel road for a few hundred metres and turn left at the first main intersection." say the guys at Bike Wise.

Getting to the Hunua Ranges mountain biking tracks | See our map for directions:


View Things to do in Auckland in a larger map

Photo Credit | © Samuel Tyler

Explore Matiu (Somes) Island with its gun emplacements and anti-aircraft artillery battery, and get away from the bustle of the Wellington traffic.

The walking track to the WWII Artillery Battery will take around 30 minutes and takes you to the top of the island (great views from there).  The Loop Track takes around 40 minutes. 

Matiu Island (aka Somes Island) not far from Wellington, is open to the public.  For latest track conditions check the DOC link.

Getting to Somes Island | Unless you have a friend with a boat, you may need the assistance of East by West for ferry transport.  They operate a ferry which runs between Queens Wharf and Days Bay.

See our map for directions:


View Things to do in Wellington in a larger map