Heaphy Track

Time and skill level: 5 days between Karamea and Golden Bay.

New Zealand Great Walk | Easy tramping

Traverses varied and diverse landscapes through coastline, rainforest and alpine grasslands. The longest of the Great Walks, it traverses through Kahurangi National Park.

• Find out more about the Heaphy Track.

Nikau walk

Time: 50 minutes.

Skill level: Easy

Across the Kohaihai River suspension bridge this walk leaves the Heaphy Track to loop through an impressive stand of nikau and northern rata forest.

Scotts Beach walk

Time: One hour.

Skill level: Easy

Beautiful short forest walk along some of the Heaphy Track’s coastline.

Oparara Arch

Time: 25 minutes.

Skill level: Easy.

A well-formed track takes you to the southern hemisphere’s biggest limestone arch. Look out for Blue Duck (Whio) on the Oparara River.

• Find out more about the Oparara Arches

Moira Gate Arch walk

Time: 45 minutes.

Skill level: Easy.

A gentle walk that takes you from the main Oparara Valley car park to the picturesque Moria Gate Arch.

Fenian car park to Sunshine Flat

Time: 3.4 hours one way.

Distance: 9.5km.

Skill level: Moderate.

Walk partway up the Fenian Track, branch off at the junction to head up the Valley Track as far as Sunshine Flat Shelter.

Adams Flat

Time: 2 hours one way.

Distance: 7km

Skill level: Easy.

An easy walk up the old heritage bridle track to the clearing. Named after John Adams, an early settler and gold miner.

Flagstaff

Time: 1 hour.

Skill level: Easy.

Via the road to the aerodrome, turn left at the junction to go down to the beach, known locally as Flagstaff.

Lake Hanlon

Time: 20 minutes one way.

Skill level: Easy.

20km south of Karamea, a signpost on the highway indicates the short walk to this tranquil and picturesque lake.

South Terrace Zig Zag Track

Time: 60 minutes return.

Skill level: Easy.

Originally used by the early settlers, the track starts 2.5 km up the Arapito side of the Karamea River. It takes you up to the South Terrace with lookouts offering great views of Karamea and the river flats. Continue along the old road line to find the old cemetery used by the first European settlers.

Karamea riverbank and estuary walk

Time: 45 minutes.

Skill level: Easy.

An enjoyable evening stroll beginning behind the Domain. Follow the river down to the mouth. Tide permitting you can view birdlife and return through the estuary walkway, linking up with the end of Ray Street.

Wangapeka Track

Time: 4 days, 3 nights.

Distance: 52km.

The Wangapeka Track traverses the Kahurangi National Park from east to west. Enter the track from either the Little Wanganui settlement or Tapawera.

Mount Stormy Track

Time: 6-8 hours return.

Skill level: Hard, high level of fitness required.

Access to the track is via Arapito Road, about 6km up the Karamea Valley. Permission need from the Karamea Information Centre to pass through private property. This is a steep and winding track with a height of 1084m offering fantastic views of Karamea and the river flats.