Parks & reserves

 

Southland District has many wonderful parks to spend some time in, from the beautiful Ivon Wilson Park on the outskirts of Te Anau to Dunsdale Reserve in Central Southland.

The Fiordland and Rakiura National Parks cover a large percentage of Southland District. These areas are nationally owned and managed by the Department of Conservation.

Council owns about 1250 hectares of reserves, including 34 sportsfields, 36 playgrounds, 38 tennis/netball courts and three skateboard facilities.

The District Wide Reserve Management Plan 2003 covers almost all of the reserves in the district and looks at issues such as planting, rubbish, buildings and access in all of the Council's wards.

Walking tracks

There are also several walking tracks, from the easy to challenging. For more information, a brochure "A Selection of Southland's short walks" has been created by Venture Southland and is available at various locations throughout Southland.

Below is a selection of available walks, including those accessible to people using wheelchairs.

Mavora Lakes

Track	Details
South Mavora Track	2-3 hours one way
Kiwi Burn Loop Track	3 hours return

Piano Flat

Track	Details
Ngahere Ara Track	30 minutes return
Piano Flat Loop Track	1 hour return
Waikaia River Track	4 hours return

Glenure Allan Reserve

Track	Details
Loop Track of Reserve	10 minutes return

Waikaka Way Walkway

Track	Details
Waikaka Way Walkway	45 minutes return

Dunsdale Reserve

Track	Details
Forks Flat Track	1 hour return Wheelchair accessible for part of track to waterfall

Forest Hill Scenic Reserve

Track	Details
Derek Turnbull Track	2 hours one way
Loop Track	1 hour return

Kamahi/Edendale Scenic Reserve

Track	Details
Short Loop Track	15 minutes return
Long Loop Track	30 minutes return

Seaward Downs Scenic Reserve

Track	Details
Loop Track	40 minutes return

Kingswood Bush Scenic Reserve Woodlands

Track	Details
Kingswood Bush Track	20 minutes return

Borland Nature Walk

Track	Details
Loop Track of Walk	40 minutes return Wheelchair accessible for part of the track to swing bridge

Tuatapere Scenic Reserve

Track	Details
Loop Track	35 minutes return Wheelchair accessible

Alex McKenzie Park and Arboretum

Track	Details
Arboretum Walk	20 minutes return

Roundhill

Track	Details
Long Hilly Track	2 hours 15 minutes return

Mores Scenic Reserve - Riverton

Track	Details
Hilltop Lookout Track	20 minutes return
Mores Lookout Track	45 minutes return
Kings Track	20 minutes return
Mores Coastal Loop Track	2 hours return

Taramea Bay Walkway - Riverton

Track	Details
Taramea Bay Walkway	Up to 2 hours

Waituna Viewing Shelter

Track	Details
Waituna Viewing Shelter	Wheelchair accessible

Waipapa Point

Track	Details
Tararua Acre Cemetery	15 minutes return

Waipohatu Recreation Area

Track	Details
Loop Track	1 hour return Wheelchair accessible
Waipohatu Waterfall Track	3 hours return

Slope Point

Track	Details
Slope Point Walk	20 minutes return

Waikawa

Track	Details
The Old Coach Road	20 minutes return
George Aitken Walk	20 minutes return

Curio Bay

Track	Details
Petrified Forest Walk	10 minutes return Wheelchair accessible for part of track