Walks

Near Masterton

Henley Lake in Masterton has a network of flat walking tracks winding through 43 hectares of wetlands and native plantings with Henley Lake as the star. Viewing towers over the lake and wetlands allow for a different perspective of the reserve.

Lansdowne Recreational Trail in Masterton has groomed lime-chip tracks allowing views of Masterton, Tararua Range and a hidden lake which looks spectacular in autumn and a great place to have a picnic with the kids. 

Mount Holdsworth is near Masterton and has two particularly good walks for families. Donnelly Flats is an easy flat walk through bush while Rocky Lookout is a slightly more challenging walk through bush to excellent views up and down the valleys.

Kiriwhakapapa 15 minutes north of Masterton is a well-graded walk passing through forest that has regenerated well after being logged for its rimu in the 1930s. Another attractive feature is the many planted redwoods.

Rewanui Forest Park is a series of loop walks through a 334 hectare farm with a significant stand of native bush and areas of forestry production. Towards the tops there are some wonderful views of the taipo terrain.

Deliverance Cove at Castlepoint, 60 minutes from Masterton is a spectacular coastal walk with excellent views of the famous Castlepoint Lighthouse and Castle Rock.

Near Carterton

Waiohine Gorge near Carterton is a spectacular gorge carved by the Waiohine River. The largest bridge of its kind in New Zealand crosses the gorge and makes for a spectacular start and finish to any walk.

Carter Scenic Reserve near Carterton follows a boardwalk through a recovering wetland and remnant of flooded forest, returning via a loop track through the drier forest section. Kahikatea trees dominate the forest with a root system that extends snake-like over the surface of the swamp.

Fensham Reserve near Carterton is a large loop track which takes you through a variety of terrain from low lying wetlands to wind swept hill tops and through some towering native trees. Labels on the trees and bushes make the walk all the more interesting.

Near Greytown

The centre of the extended continental shelf of New Zealand is pinpointed in the Tararua Range on Mt Reeves Track, a moderately difficult walk not far from Greytown, that takes around 5-7 hours. Mt Reeves Track starts on the Waiohine ‘Valley’ Road, about 10km from Greytown. Learn more about the Centre of New Zealand Walk here. 

Near Featherston

Featherston Reserves Walkway is a series of four short walking tracks all within an easy walk of Featherston. Two of the walking tracks stand out for variety and access, with one offering good views across Featherston and the Wairarapa and the other being a short loop track through native bush.

Wairarapa Moana is a series of walks around Lake Wairarapa and forms the largest wetland in the southern North Island, covering over 9,000 hectares. The area has traditionally been important to local Maori as an area for the gathering of food and plant material.

Near Martinborough

Rapaki Walk, Martinborough is a loop track across farmland with spectacular views of the Wairarapa valley and Martinborough vineyards. Near the highest point, a stile takes walkers to an optional viewpoint over the scenic Te Muna Valley.

Palliser Vineyard Walk, Martinborough takes you around Palliser Vineyard towards the river and back through the centre of the vineyard.

MOUNTAIN ALERTS should always be checked here before departing on a tramp into the mountains.

Hut Tickets are essential for an overnight stay in a back country hut. Purchase your hut tickets and hut passes from the Masterton isite Visitor Information Centre.

Topographical Maps of the back country are available at isite Visitor Information Centres.

Personal Locator Beacons effective to 62m and monitored by the NZ Rescue Coordination Centre. Just $5 a day! Bookings essential +64 6 370 0155

Near Masterton and Carterton

Tararua Forest Park provides an outstanding variety of tramping, hunting and walking opportunities in a wild, natural landscape. At 116,535 hectares it is the largest conservation park managed by the Department of Conservation in the North Island.

Near Greytown

The centre of the extended continental shelf of New Zealand is pinpointed in the Tararua Range on Mt Reeves Track, a moderately difficult walk not far from Greytown, that takes around 5-7 hours. Mt Reeves Track starts on the Waiohine ‘Valley’ Road, about 10km from Greytown. Learn more about the Centre of New Zealand walk. 

Near Featherston

Remutaka Forest Park walks don't reach the alpine heights of the Tararua Range but still has an excellent walk across the Remutaka Rail Trail. 

Near Martinborough

Aorangi Forest Park has probably one of the more memorable walks through the badland rock formations of the Putangirua Pinnacles.