As well as 14 national parks in New Zealand, there are 19 forest parks with a lesser protected status, one maritime park, and nearly 4000 regional parks and reserves of various sizes.

To help you plan and enjoy your visit to New Zealand's parks the Department of Conservation provides:

• Visitor centres with displays and information about each park
• Huts, walking tracks, campsites, historic sites, picnic spots and other facilities
• Facilities for less mobile people
• Advice on routes, weather, equipment and safety in the outdoors
• Park maps, hut tickets, handbooks and souvenirs, on sale at Department of Conservation offices and visitor centres.

Access and charges

Parks and protected areas are open all year. There is no charge to go into the parks, or to use basic facilities such as visitor centres, tracks, toilets or picnic places. A charge is made for some park information, brochures and to stay overnight in camping areas and in most back-country huts (hut tickets or passes must be bought before the trip; details from Department of Conservation offices). Many parks also offer commercial sightseeing, education tours and transport.

Permits

Permits or licences are needed for hunting and fishing. Dogs are not allowed in national parks, but may be allowed into other parks with a permit. Enquire at a Department of Conservation office near the park.

Look After Yourself

• New Zealand's weather can change quickly at any time of the year. Make sure you are prepared for unseasonal weather.
• Talk to park staff or read information guides before setting off into the bush or mountains, and take a topographical map, high-energy foods, warm clothing and wet-weather gear.
• Ensure someone knows your plans and time of return. You can sign in with DOC (at Visitor Centres) before starting out and again when you return.
• If you need to take drinking water from rivers or other natural sources boil, chemically treat or filter it before drinking.
• Please be environmentally considerate.

Accommodation

The Department manages a wide range of guest houses, cabins, backcountry huts and camping areas throughout the country. Most of the camping areas are operated on a first-come, first-served basis, although some of the more popular camping sites operate on a booking system. Contact the DOC for details and prices.

NORTH ISLAND

Bay of Islands Historic and Maritime Park

Natural beauty and historical significance are key features of this subtropical park of islands, bays, beaches, tidal inlets and mangroves. Activities for everyone - visits to historic/archaeological sites, forest and coastal walks, boating, swimming, diving, big game fishing and camping.

Northland Forest Park

Tane Mahuta - Waipoua Kauri Forest

Subtropical rainforest dominated by giant kauri, including NZ's biggest tree, Tane Mahuta.The park has lots of short walks and several longer tracks. Forests may be viewed from the road. A must for botanists/birdwatchers. Camping Waipoua, Trounson and Puketi Kauri forests.

Coromandel Forest Park

Easily accessible from Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga; a popular recreational park with luxuriant forest, old volcanic landforms, historic mining and milling sites. Enjoy easy walks, fishing, swimming, tramping. Fishing, sailing, swimming and diving around the coast.

Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park

Narrow, rugged, forested park. Easily reached from Rotorua, Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland - bush walks, tramping, picnicking, rock climbing, hunting, and exploring old mining and kauri-milling sites. Public transport to within 5km of park.

Pirongia Forest Park

Small and densely forested, with interesting plant life, this park is centred around the slopes of three extinct volcanoes. Only 30km from Hamilton. Ideal for hunting, short walks and 1 or 2-day tramps.

Raukumara Forest Park

Rugged forested ranges, featuring one of NZ's foremost wild and scenic rivers, the Motu. Access difficult, but great for those wanting to get off the beaten track. White-water rafting, tramping and hunting.

Pureora Forest Park

Pureora Forest Park - off Western Bays Highway

Magnificent, dense, podocarp forest with rich bird life. Western side of Lake Taupo. Home of the rare kokako. Forest viewing tower. Forest walks, camping, birdwatching, scenic drives, tramping, hunting.

Whirinaki Forest Park

Famous for its magnificent podocarp forests. Short and day walks, tramping, fishing and canoeing on the Whirinaki River. About 100km from Rotorua.

Kaweka Forest Park

A back-country park offering good rafting, canoeing, hunting, fishing, and a range of tramping for experienced trampers and day walkers. Picnic/camping spots at road ends.

Kaimanawa Forest Park

A remote, rugged mountain wilderness, accessible from Turangi. Wilderness tramping, hunting, fishing, rafting and canoeing.

Ruahine Forest Park

Rugged ranges with a network of tramping tracks through forest, river systems and tussock. Hunting, riverside camping. Access from Palmerston North or Napier.

Rimutaka Forest Park

Popular recreational park only 45km from Wellington city, with walks and tracks to suit all, including the Rimutaka Incline Walk, following an historical rail link. Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve and seal colony are nearby on the coast. Camping and picnicking.

Aorangi Forest Park

Remote forested and scrub-covered ranges suitable for hunters and experienced trampers with own transport. Spectacular coastline and seal colony near Cape Palliser. Coastal camping, fishing, and several short walks, including one to an unusual rock formation, the Putangirua Pinnacles.

Tararua Forest Park

Within easy reach of Wellington and Palmerston North. Rugged forested interior for a wide variety of overnight tramping. Picnic and camping spots. Note: Weather on the mountain tops can be severe. Be well prepared at all times of the year.

SOUTH ISLAND

Mt Richmond Forest Park

Rugged and forested, only minutes from Nelson. Over 250km of tracks. Hunting, fishing, riverside camping and picnicking.

Victoria Forest Park

Rugged and mountainous; some of NZ's finest beech forests and mining relics of Reefton quartz goldfields. Walks, tramping, climbing, hunting, fishing, gold panning, camping, 4WD and horse trekking.

Lewis Pass National Reserve

Mountain peaks, hot springs, lakes, forest, snow tussock and alpine herb fields. Access from the scenic Lewis Pass Highway to a wide range of tramping and hunting. Easy walks, fishing, picnicking, roadside camping. Start of the St James Walkway.

Hanmer Forest Park

Thermal holiday resort within easy reach of Christchurch. Easy walks through stands of native and exotic trees, tramping, rafting, jet boating, horse trekking and swimming in Hanmer Springs thermal pools.

Lake Sumner Forest Park

Accessible from Christchurch or the Lewis Pass Highway - mountains, rivers, lakes, hot springs and beech forests. Tramping, hunting, fishing, birdwatching.

Craigieburn Forest Park

Small mountainous park in the scenic Arthur's Pass Highway best known for its winter ski areas. Excellent beech forest. Tramping, short walks, hunting and camping.

Otago Goldfields Park

A glimpse of NZ's gold-mining heritage. Year-round historic walks along old mining trails, gold panning, horse trekking, mountain bike touring, scenic drives and white-water rafting.

Catlins Forest Park

Luxuriant coastal forest 100km from Invercargill, 130km from Dunedin. Variety of forest walks and tracks through to rugged coastline. Historic timber-milling sites and ancient petrified forests.