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 (Dunsdale Reserve is now open and will remain open until May 2023)
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
|
