A Walk in The park - Palmerston North Area Walks

Looking for something to do closer to home? Then why not explore some of the many Department of Conservation areas right on your doorstep. A few suggestions to whet the appetite.

Wharite Peak:
Drive to the Wharite Peak transmitter and enjoy the views from the southern tip of the Ruahine ranges. Narrow, windy, gravel road (1 hour to TV transmitter from Palmerston North, via Woodlands Road near Woodville).

Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge:
Stay overnight at Alice Nash Memorial Heritage Lodge in the Oroua Valley (1 hour 30 minutes return). An easy first tramp for the kids. Hut sleeps 8. Track to the river from the hut leads to some great camp spots (30 minutes).

Makiekie Creek:
Picnic at Makiekie Creek (2 hours return). Head to Limestone Roadend near Apiti and walk Deerford/Knights Track to picturesque Makiekie Creek for a paddle in the shallow pools.

Kawhatau Field Base:
Holiday at Kawhatau Field Base – drive right to it! Book a stay in DOC’s Field Base up the Kawhatau Valley.

Rangiwahia Hut:
Take the family to Rangiwahia Hut (2 - 3 hours one way). A popular tramp to the tussock tops of the Whanahuia Range – an ideal first overnight hike.

Takapari Road:
Have a 4WD or mountain bike adventure up Takapari Road on to the tops of the Ruahine Range. Suitable for 4WD vehicles and mountain bikes only. (1 hour 45 minutes to end of public road from Palmerston North).

No. 1 Line Lookout:
Take in the view from the No. 1 Line Lookout (2 - 3 hours return). Track climbs (steeply in places) from the end of No. 1 line in the Pohangina Valley.

Purity Hut:
Climb to Purity Hut (3 - 4 hours one way) on the Hikurangi Range Inland from Mangaweka.

Mangaweka Scenic Reserve:
Explore Mangaweka Scenic Reserve (1 hour loop track) and enjoy views of Mangaweka Village, the Ruahine Ranges and the spectacular cliffs of the Rangitikei River Valley.

Bruce Park Scenic Reserve:
Stroll around Bruce Park (Loop Track - 20 to 40 minutes), an easy walk through lowland forest near Hunterville.

Manawatu Gorge Scenic Reserve:
Hike the Manawatu Gorge Track (3 - 5 hours one way). A popular walk, steep in places, above the Manawatu River with excellent views of the gorge and surrounds. A different start and finish point.

Take the kids for an easy walk around the Totara Loop track (15 minutes) at the Woodville end of the Gorge track, and check out the forest interpretation signs made by school children.

Kahikatea Walk:
Amble around the Kahikatea Walk (20 minutes) in the picturesque Pohangina Valley.

Beehive Creek Walkway:
Splash along the Beehive Creek Walkway in the Pohangina Valley (2 - 3 hours one way). Fantastic creek walk for the children in summer. Different start and finish points.

Pukaha Mount Bruce:
Discover some of New Zealand's most threatened species and learn about the Department of Conservation's national breeding programme.

For more information visit the website.