Sarah Mockford

Rugby World editor

Purakanui

DUNEDIN Pre-match jaunt – Otago Rail Trail A unique walking, cycling and horse riding track following the route of an historic railway line. It’s 150km long in total but you…

Nelson Lakes Kerr Bay Rotoiti

NELSON A pre-match jaunt – Nelson Lakes Bellbird Walk and Honeydew Walk are part of the stunning Lake Rotoiti Nature Recovery project where bellbirds and tui welcome you to their…

Orongorongo Valley

WELLINGTON Pre-match jaunt – Orongorongo Track This walk goes through authentic New Zealand forest, packed with palms, ferns, huge rata trees, fantastic views and good swimming holes in the river.…

Australasian Gannet

NAPIER Pre-match jaunt – Cape Kidnappers Spectacular geological cliff formations on the coast to Cape Kidnappers Gannet colony makes a trip there memorable. The Saddle and Black Reef gannet colonies…

Mt Taranaki

NEW PLYMOUTH Pre-match jaunt – Dawson Falls There’s a range of walks from the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre. One short steep descent through rainforest takes you to the base of…

Mangakara Nature Walk

HAMILTON Pre-match jaunts – Waterworks Track North of Hamilton by 10km is the town of Ngaruawahia where an easy walk leaves from Brownlee Avenue off Hakarimata Road and passes through…

Hamurana Stream

ROTORUA Pre-match jaunt – Tikitapu/Blue Lake This is 9 km south-east of Rotorua from Tarawera Road. The circuit track begins at the north-east end of the lake and goes south…

North Head

AUCKLAND Pre-match jaunt – Great Barrier Island If you’ve got time to kill and energy to expend, head to GBI – an untouched, tranquil paradise which boasts stunning forests, amazing…

NORTH SHORE Pre-match jaunt – Goat Island Walk This return walk heads part of the way to Cape Rodney overlooking New Zealand’s oldest and most popular marine reserve. Walk up…

Whangarei

WHANGAREI Pre-match jaunt – Bream Head/Te Whara track This track follows an ancient Maori trail from Urquharts Bay to Ocean Beach. The track climbs Mount Lion to the ridge line…