New Zealand’s best loop walks

This easy, 45-minute return walk takes in the Whakapapa River, where there are some good swimming holes.

While heavily milled in the early 20th century, much native bush survives, he said.

“The beauty of the bush along the river and around the small Ohinetonga lagoon was recognised early and was created as a reserve in 1921 without being milled.”

The track meanders through dense bush to a huge old totara tree then drops downhill to a lagoon where a boardwalk crosses still waters entirely enclosed by dense native bush.

“Quiet, calm and completely protected by huge trees, this is a particularly beautiful spot.”