Lake Side Walk: 1 hour (Return)
Grade: Easy
Access: Cross the Arnold River swingbridge then continue left along the lakeside
Highlights: Starting our list with a simple stroll along the shores of Lake Brunner, the Lake Side Walk is not so much a trail but more like a walk along the lake’s pebble beach closest to Moana town. This is a popular picnic spot to soak up the views of the lake and the mountains beyond!
Carew Fall Track: 1 hour (Return)
Grade: Easy
Access: 50m from the Lake Brunner Lodge, Mitchells, on the southern end of the lake. Alternatively, you can take the water taxi from Moana.
Highlights: While in the Lake Brunner area, go see an impressive waterfall! (Yes, another waterfall in New Zealand). This moderate walk gently climbs a mixed podocarp forest before continuing more steeply to the base of Carew Falls!
Velenski Track: 20 min (one way)
Grade: Easy
Access: Sign posted in Taku Street, Moana
Highlights: The best time to do this easy walk is at night when the glowworms are shining their brightest. Otherwise, a daytime walk will give you views of Lake Brunner and the native forest and bird life.
Rakaitane Track: 45 min (loop walk)
Grade: Easy
Access: Over the Arnold River outlet of the lake via the swing bridge, sign posted to your right.
Highlights: Delve into this mixed podocarp forest filled with mosses and fascinating trees. The easy track provides some great views of the Arnold River.
Bain Bay Track: 2 hours (Return)
Grade: Easy
Access: Outside of the Lake Brunner Lodge, Mitchells, on the southern end of Lake Brunner along the Kumara-Inchbonnie Road. Alternatively, you can take a water taxi to Bain Bay from Moana.
Highlights: This easy track provides another awesome perspective of Lake Brunner with its mountain backdrop. Walk along boardwalks through native forest to find old relics of timber mills at Bain Bay (which is also the site of a Department of Conservation campground). Bain Bay is the perfect spot for swimming, especially in summer with the warm lake heated up thanks to its dark waters.
Arnold Dam Walkway: 45 min (loop walk)
Grade: Moderate
Access: Found 7km towards Greymouth from Moana along the Arnold Valley Road. The hike starts at the Arnold Dam Power Station.
Highlights: The title of the walkway is pretty explanatory of what you will see. Yes there will be a dam at the end, but the walk will also show you what our wonderful rainforest has to offer… Plus, you get breathtaking views of the Arnold River on this moderate level walking track.
Ara O Te Kinga Track: 1 hour return to the first lookout; 3 hours return to 3rd lookout point, 6-7 hours return to the summit of Mt Te Kinga.
Grade: Moderate-Difficult (depending on the length of the journey)
Access: The hike starts at the Iveagh Bay freedom camping area.
Highlights: See that mountain over there? Do you want to climb it? Course you do! A real Lake Brunner adventure awaits on this day trip to the summit of Mt Te Kinga. There are three lookout points along the way overlooking Ivegh Bay and surrounding landscape. From the third lookout, follow the marked route up to the open tussock-covered mountain top. As this is a summit hike, be prepared for a lot of uphill climbs, especially past the first lookout.