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I decided to start with my traditional Photo-Of-The-Week, and as a “compensation” for my long absence I will also offer this photo for free download at my Free Wallpaper Download section.

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I took this photo at sunset on Pekapeka beach, which is a small seaside locality on the Kapiti Coast of New Zealand’s North Island. In the right-center you can see the silhouette of the Kapiti Island. Kapiti Island is a birds sanctuary – it is home to native birds such as takahe, kokako, brown teal, stitchbirds, and tieke (saddleback), miromiro, piwakawaka, ruru, weka (hybrid of North and South Island subspecies), hihi, and toutouwai. The Brown Kiwi and Little Spotted Kiwi were released on the island between 1890 and 1910, and the island is now the stronghold for them.

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Kia Ora.

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I found a very beautiful description of Taranaki in a tourist brochure, which I would like to bring here, so all the credit goes to the writers.

Taranaki has been labeled the “Garden of New Zealand” since pioneering times, and for very good reason. Rich volcanic soils and equable climate, blessed with both high sunshine hours and plenty of rain, combine to create conditions that cultivate a huge range of plants within its temperate – often subtropical – atmosphere.

The region has also earned that reputation the hard way – through pioneering grit, determination and plenty of work. The region now enjoys ten out of 31 Gardens of National Significance around New Zealand, along with several Gardens of regional significance.

Lake at Pukekura Gardens, New Plymouth. Photo by Sandy Austin

Add to the gardens the myriad of walkways – through bush, farmland, forests, wetlands, by rivers, lakes and sea, on the mountain and through pioneering towns and villages – and it’s clear that Taranaki is a nature-lover’s paradise.

Mt Taranaki and Egmont National Park offer more than 180km of tracks, and the New Plymouth coastal walkway provides 7km of paved boardwalk passing several beaches, playgrounds, stone sculptures and the 45m Len Lye kinetic windwand.

Mount Egmont. Photo by PhillipC

The White cliffs walkway in North Taranaki is highly popular in the summer months, whilst Matemateonga walkway in East Taranaki can be incorporated with an adrenalin-fueled Whanganui river jetboat ride.

If you’re into golfing, Taranaki has courses catering for all skill levels scattered throughout the region. Twelve top golf courses are all playable 12 months of the year, and all are a maximum of just one hour’s drive from New Plymouth of Hawera.

For more information about Taranaki region visit: www.taranaki.co.nz

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Today I will concentrate on the West Coast of the South Island.

1. Seal Colony Walk, Cape Foulwind
Located 12 km south of Westport this walk goes near densely populated seal colony and also presents a wonderful views of the coast. From mid-November you will be able to see seal pups. This walk is about 400 meters of gravel surface with some gentle climbs. Suitable for wheelchairs.

2. Colls Dam Walk, Nelson Creek
This is a 1860′s gold mining site with good examples of tail races, tunnels and water races, in addition to a dramatic lookout above the historic dam. This walk is 1.2 kilometers long (takes about 1 hour to complete). Location – 29 km north of Greymouth, Gows Creek Rd car park. Suitable for mountain buggies and walkers but not wheelchairs.

3. Dolomite Point Walk, Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki
Located at Punakaiki Village this is one of the most popular walks of the south island. It goes through nikau palms to viewing platforms and shows the amazing limestone layers. Watch waves force water up blowholes creating powerful geysers and dramatic noises at high tide. This walk is fully accessible with no impediments apart from single path with no wheelchair access (signposted). Length – 900 meters.

4. Rakaitane Walk, Arnold River Bridge
View Lake Brunner from the bridge then walk to a little sandy beach. Beautiful podocarp forest lines the track.
Length – 1.1km/30 min. Location: Anua St, Moana on Lake Brunner, southeast of Greymouth. Accessible for wheelchairs.

Lake Brunner. photo by Thomas Cuelho

5. Tawhai Walk, Tawhai picnic area
Enjoy a short walk through mature tawhai forest with ferns and many native birds, including the rare kakariki (parakeet). Located on SH7 south of Reefton this walk is only 235 meters long accessible for wheelchairs. But keep in mind that toilets there have no wheelchair access.

6. Kahikatea Walk, Lake Kaniere
This walk features towering kahikatea trees and views of Mt Tuhua and the lake. Listen for kakariki, kaka, robin and bellbird. Location – 19km east of Hokitika, Lake Kaniere Rd. Start at the Sunny Bight picnic area. Accessible for wheelchair.

Lake Kaniere. photo by Andrew Turner

I hope you enjoy these easy but very beautiful walks and spend a great day outdoors!

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This time it will be all about Canterbury region.

There are three great easy access short walks at Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park, and though they are not accessible for wheelchair, they are good for mountain buggies and walkers.

1. Hooker Valley Walk (to lookout)
Located at Hooker Valley Road, before Mt Cook village, and begins at the visitor center. Though only about 900 meters (30 min) long, it is a popular walk to the Alpine Memorial lookout with great views of the Southern Alps when clear.

2. Mt Cook Village Paths
This walk around red tussock lined paths, with superb views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps, is about 2km long. Its surface is sealed, packed gravel and some gentle slopes. One path has steps.

3. Kea Point Walk
This is the longest walk among the three – 3.5 km (can take up to 1.5 hours to complete). Starts at White Horse Hill campground at Hooker Valley Rd, before Mt Cook Village. This walk has gravel and steep slopes and goes through sub-alpine grasslands to the Mueller Glacier moraine wall formed in 1913. The walk includes information panels about kea and, when it’s clear, ends with wonderful mountain views.

Walks at Athur’s Pass National Park

photo by Dave Apple

Old Coach Road Walk
Located 6 km south of Arthur’s Pass Village it is a pleasant forest walk, which follows a century-old coach road that was cut into the hillside to avoid the flood prone Bealey River. Old rock wall remnants are still visible.
This walk is 1.1 kilometers long, which will take you about 40 minutes to complete. The surface is gravel, sealed and boardwalk. Suitable both for wheelchairs and mountain buggies and walkers.

photo by Wendy Schotsmans

More about Easy Access Walks in my next posts, and until then, take care!

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