New Zealand is well known and loved all over the world for our incredible landscapes, flora and fauna- But as kiwis, we often take our great outdoors for granted. If you’re keen to start exploring your backyard this summer, here is our quintessential list of North Island day hikes to get you started – No experience necessary!
Waitakere Dam
A relatively easy, 3.1km walk to a picturesque dam located in the bush. An out and back route, it is best enjoyed with a packed lunch- this is a walk the whole family can enjoy.
Note- a large portion of this walk is on asphalt but the view is worth it!
Waitakere Reservoir Carpark, 765 Scenic Drive, Henderson Valley, Auckland 0612
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
With spectacular views over the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, this self guided walk takes you spectacular volcanic craters, enormous hot water springs (Such as the Inferno Crater lake in our feature photo), beautiful geothermal features, rare and unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured micro biology and a wide array of birds. This is the only walk on our list where there is a charge ($44 per person) to access the hike but the views are spectacular and the unique landscape is well worth discovering. The hike is between 1.5 and 4.5km depending on your ability and how much time you have to spare. Please note there are stairs on this hike so it may not be wheelchair friendly.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley, 587 Waimangu Road, Rotorua
Spragg Bush Track
A great 3.1m track with amazing views up close of Kauri, with a little bit of history thrown in. This track is in the bush with minimal views but to experience a Kauri Forest is an adventure in itself! This track is relatively flat and great to take kids if you want to keep them occupied for the Holidays.
Spragg Bush track, 699 Scenic Drive, Henderson Valley, Auckland 0612
Fairy Falls Walk
An easy, 3.5km in and out track in the Waitakere Ranges, And includes a large lower waterfall with a series of shorter, upper waterfalls. The walk to the base of the lower waterfall is approximately 20-40 minutes (depending on how fast you walk!), and from here, there is another 45 minute track leading to the upper waterfalls. Once you reach the top, have a bite to eat, then return back down the hill to where you started.
This is a fun, popular waterfall hike so expect to see others enjoying the scenery as you are!
Access to Fairy Falls is on Scenic Drive, Henderson.
Te Paki Sand Dunes
A New Zealand experience like no other, the Te Paki sand dunes are located just off state highway 1 near Cape Rēinga. The sand dunes are around 150m high, and stretch 10km long by 1m wide along the coast.
There is a 1.4km, moderately challenging track across the dunes, and if you want to tear it up, you can hire a boogy board for $15 in the main carpark (or bring your own for free of course!) and “surf the dunes” too.
Perfect for all ages, but you will need to walk through an ankle deep stream to access the dunes.
47 Te Paki Stream Road, Cape Reinga 0484
Te Henga (Bethells Beach) Walkway
Want something a little longer? The Te Henga walkway is a 10km hike along West Auckland’s rugged coast, this hike is a little more challenging but well worth the day trip. The average timing for this hike is 3hr, 27m. With a 577m elevation gain, you’ll see some gorgeous sights on the way- don’t forget to pack your lunch!
The southern entrance is off Bethells Beach (Te Henga), 37 km from downtown Auckland. The track is signposted near a bridge 1 km before the end of Bethells Rd opposite Lake Wainamu carpark. The northern entrance to Te Henga Walkway is from Constable Rd, off Oaia Rd, Muriwai. The northern entrance is 46 km from downtown Auckland.
Remember- no matter how short the track is you decide to take, make sure you are always well prepared with food, water, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.
Ensure you check any requirements regarding dogs before you depart for the day.
Thank you to Olivia Fairhurst for sharing her beautiful photo of herself at Inferno Crater Lake, Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
