Explore the foothill forest around Glentui & Ashley Gorge, with beautiful waterfalls, walking tracks and popular for kayakers and mountain biking too.

To get there, drive down Glentui Bush Road for around 2.5 kms (it's a winding gravel road and takes you to the Glentui Picnic Area, where the walks begin).

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• Glentui Nature Trail | 1 hour loop track | This track leads down to the  Glentui River then climbs a ridge on the other side. It links first with the Bypass Track, then the Richardson Track before returning to the picnic area.

• Glentui Waterfall Track | 30 minutes return | This easy walk takes you to a lookout providing an impressive view of a beautiful waterfall on the Glentui River.  Please note there was track leading to the Ashley Waterfall, however this track is now permanently closed.

• Mountain Biking | The Blowhard track provides mountain bike riders with an energetic ascent of Mt Richardson, and a suitably rapid descent.

• Kayaking | The Ashley Gorge below the Lees Valley Road Bridge is popular with kayakers. Only experienced paddlers should tackle this section of river, rapids are graded 2-3.

For more information and latest track conditions, check this DOC link or this downloadable online brochure.

DOC warning: "Beware of wasps here in summer. Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March each year.  It is recommended that forest users carry wasp first aid kits as a precaution. These are generally available from chemists."

Explore the Cave Stream Scenic Reserve with its tracks and stunning cave walk.  594 metres long, the Cave Stream caves are considered one of the most outstanding natural features in Canterbury. 

The limestone formations nearby were the setting for the filming of “Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe".  It will take around 30 minutes to walk to either cave entrance, however allow an additional hour if you plan to walk through the caves.  The cave passage meanders and twists in pitch darkness for 594 metres. 

You'll find the Cave Stream Scenic Reserve along State Highway 73 (between the Broken River Bridge and Craigieburn Forest Park entrance), not far from Castle Hill.

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DOC Warning: "Please observe the warning signs about entering the cave - it has claimed lives. You must be properly equipped if you plan to walk through the cave.  If care is taken, fit, inexperienced cavers can go through. 

Caving parties should have at least two reliable lights per person plus spare batteries, warm polypropylene or wool clothing, and sturdy footwear.

Cavers are recommended to enter the cave at the outflow end and walk against the flow of the stream. There are several small waterfalls to climb. To assist climbing out the inlet end of the cave, a rung ladder ascends beside the waterfall. A chain and steps help to get along the overhang ledge to the exit.  If the stream is abnormally high, with the water dis-coloured or foaming, do not attempt to enter."

For more information and latest track conditions, check this DOC link.

Photo courtesy © Phillip Capper: SH73 at Cave Stream

Take a stroll along New Zealand's once longest spanning bridge (back in the late 1800s).  The Clifden Suspension Bridge is now open only to pedestrians and was built over the limestone banks of the Waiau River. 

There's a couple of lovely picnic spots below the bridge, riverside.  Bring your camera!

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Retrace history as you stroll through the Tatare Tunnels.  In the late 1800's, pioneers moved inland in search of gold in the Waiho/Callery River junction. 

There's a 500 metre tunnel system through from the Tatare Gorge, drilled to pipe water to the Waiho terrace.

Glow-worms are visible in the tunnels at night.  Allow 80 minutes for the return walk.  The beginning of the Tatare Tunnels walk starts at the northern end of Cowan Street.

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For more information and latest track conditions, check this DOC link.

Photo courtesy © Phillip Capper: Waiho Valley

Jump on board the Rain Forest Express Train and have a family adventure on a narrow railway through the Waitakeres, check out the glow worms, cave wetas, awesome rainforest and relax with a picnic rest stop.

Watercare's Rain Forest Express for a narrow-gauge railway adventure you’ll find deep in the heart of the Waitakere Ranges. On a miniature train, travel over wooden bridges, through numerous tunnels, view ancient forest and look out over the Manukau Harbour.

If you are looking for things to do in Auckland, then don't overlook this little gem!

The train reaches the Upper Nihotupu Dam in the beautiful bush where you can stop for a breather and a stretch. This is a working railway, still used for dam maintenance.  The train runs with regular weekend trips, with evening adventures over summer.

There are a several trip options ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 hours (and all have a comfort stop or picnic stop off options). Very highly recommended.

Check here for schedule or for more information check this Rain Forest Express link. Bookings are essential. 

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Attempt to capture the opposing team’s flag without being tagged and expect to get fired upon – heavily!  Paint ball is heaps of fun - energetic and strategic too. 

In no time you’ll be diving behind the pines and lurking in the creek ready to ambush with the team at Hinterland Adventures. 

All the paint guns and ammo is supplied, as with the safety gear – however you will need to provide the sense of adventure.

For Paintball action, there are two fields to choose from:

• Field 1: pine gully and creek

• Field 2: speed ball – with more than 60 obstacles to make a tactically different game from Field 1.

They have a viewing platform for the spectators and a BBQ area for the after match feed. Players have to be a minimum of 11yrs, and a minimum group size of 6 players. Check out their site for game pricing and options.

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Photo: © Hinterland Adventures

Open 7 days a week, bookings with Hinterland Adventures are essential.

Watch an underwater freeding frenzy – or a Kiwi sleep in. There are more than 150 species of fish and furry creatures at the Southern Encounter Aquarium & Kiwi House, ready to observe.

• Eel Feeding | Leave it to the professionals and view in awe. They will surface feed (or even dive) to feed these slimy creatures that not your average “local creek” kind of sized eel!  This is really a highlight, so make sure you give them a call first so you don’t miss it. Details can be found at 

• Salmon & Trout | Dailt at 1pm you’ll get a chance to partake in this feeding frenzie as you’ll be allowed to feed them pellets yourself (as directed by the guide).

• Sharks & Rays | Leave it to the experts at 3pm and see divers get in amongst it and feed these hungry folk.

• Kiwi House | Allow 15 minutes or so (in the dark) to let your eyes adjust and see our flightless friends do “their thing”. Try and view between 10.30am- 2.30pm if you can, as after this time they are possibly snoozing.

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Open daily (except Xmas) from 9am-5pm. For more information check this Southern Encounter link.