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Tracks & walks

Canterbury

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Canterbury

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Places to visit in Mackenzie Country & Waitaki area

Mackenzie Country & Waitaki area

The Mackenzie Basin is a great place to explore the high country with reserves, parks and conservation areas protecting mountains, plains and wetlands.

The Twizel Te Manahuna Area Office maintains and supports these areas and their numerous walks and tracks which often cross from one valley to another.

Most walks and tracks start within an hour's drive of Twizel, which offers itself as a hub to visit some of the most breathtaking sights in the Canterbury region.

List these tracks by category:

Ahuriri Conservation Park mountain biking tracks

Discover the mountain biking opportunities in Ahuriri Conservation Park.
Category: Mountain biking - Easy ; Mountain biking - Expert

Ahuriri valley tramping tracks

Explore the Ahuriri valley on these short tramping tracks.
Category: Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Easy ; Mountain biking - Intermediate

Benmore Range access track

Walkers will enjoy the walk along the access easement up to the Benmore Range Conservation Area.
Category: Tramping track

Dromedary Hill Walking Track

Dromedary Hill (1664 m) is in Lindis Conservation Area, North Otago.
Category: Walking track ; Mountain biking - Expert
Distance: 10 km
Completion Time: 8-10 hours (walking)

Kurow walking tracks

Spot rare native plant species on the Deep Stream track near Kurow, 2 hours north of Dunedin.
Category: Short walk

Lake Benmore walking tracks

Explore Lake Benmore on these short tracks.
Category: Walking track ; Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Easy

Lake Ohau - Ben Ohau Range tracks

There are a number of day walks, mountain bike tracks and tramps near or around Ben Ohau Range.
Category: Short walk ; Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Easy

Lake Ohau - Dobson valley tracks

The Dobson valley has a number of tramping tracks that can be walked in a day or less.
Category: Tramping track ; Route

Lake Ohau - Hopkins valley tracks

The forests in this region contain a mixture of mountain and silver beech beside large open river valleys.
Category: Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Easy

Lake Ohau tracks

These tracks travel through beech forest near Lake Ohau.
Category: Short walk ; Walking track ; Tramping track ; Route ; Mountain biking - Intermediate

Lake Pukaki walking tracks

Find out about tracks and walks near Lake Pukaki.
Category: Short walk ; Walking track

Lake Tekapo tracks

There are a number of day walks, mountain bike tracks and tramps near or around Lake Tekapo.
Category: Walking track ; Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Easy ; Mountain biking - Advanced

Lake Tekapo Walkway

The Lake Tekapo Walkway provides opportunity to enjoy the environment and magnificent scenery from a number of vantage points around Lake Tekapo.
Category: Walking track

Lindis area mountain biking tracks

Several tracks in the Lindis area are dual use, suitable for mountain-biking.
Category: Mountain biking - Expert

Mackenzie Basin routes

The Mackenzie Basin is the largest inter-montane (between mountains) basin in New Zealand. Marked routes in Ahuriri and Ruataniwha conservation parks are suitable for experienced trampers.
Category: Route

Mackenzie Basin short walks

There are a number of short walks in the Mackenzie Basin, including Ahuriri and Ruataniwha conservation parks.
Category: Short walk
Completion Time: Various from 10 min to 2 hr return

Mackenzie Basin tramping tracks

There are a number of tramps described in the Mackenzie Basin, including those in Ahuriri and Ruataniwha conservation parks.
Category: Tramping track

Mackenzie Basin day walking tracks

There are a number of walking tracks in the Mackenzie Basin, including those in Ahuriri and Ruataniwha conservation parks.
Category: Walking track
Completion Time: Various from 2 hr to 5 hr return

Melina Ridge Track

This dual use tramping track traverses through the best of what the Lindis area has to offer.
Category: Tramping track

Omarama tracks

There are a number of tracks in the Omarama area suitable for walking, mountain biking and horse riding.
Category: Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Easy ; Mountain biking - Intermediate ; Horse riding

Pavilion Peak Track

This (dual-use) tramping track north of Lindis Pass, in Lindis Conservation Area continues on from Dromedary Hill walking track.
Category: Tramping track
Distance: 32km
Completion Time: 8-10 hours

Ruataniwha Conservation Park mountain biking tracks

Discover the mountain biking opportunities in Ruataniwha Conservation Park.
Category: Mountain biking - Easy ; Mountain biking - Intermediate

Twizel River Trail

Twizel River Trail is located opposite Twizel township area on the eastern side of SH8. There are wonderful views of the Mackenzie Basin mountains along the trail.
Category: Easy access short walk
Distance: 24 km return
Completion Time: 5-6 hr return

Twizel walking and mountain bike tracks

Find out about walking and mountain bike tracks near Twizel.
Category: Walking track ; Tramping track ; Mountain biking - Easy

Walks for families in Twizel Te Manahuna area

These family-friendly easy walks are suitable for people of all abilities and can be accessed by wheelchairs and children's buggies.
Category: Easy access short walk
Distance: 1 km
Completion Time: 10 - 20 min

Find out more

Publications

Walks for families in Canterbury brochure (PDF, 1820K)

Easy access walks - North Island
Easy access walks - South Island

Weather

Maps

New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres

Learn more

Track category definitions

Plan and prepare for your trip

Stop the spread of didymo
Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Safety alerts for Canterbury tracks

Contacts

Twizel Area Office
Phone:	+64 3 435 0802

Email:
Full office details

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