Need some inspiration on how you can join in on Get Outdoors Week NZ 2021? Check out our list of recreational activities that not only get you outdoors, but also help protect our beautiful country!

1. Beach or Park Clean-up

Beach and park clean-ups can make a huge difference to your local recreation spaces and are also an easy way to get moving outside! You can check out your local community Facebook pages or noticeboards to find upcoming community clean-up events, or you can plan your own one! Check out the Department of Conservation website for tips on how to run a successful community clean-up event!

2. Wildlife Watching

Do you want to learn more about the native flora and fauna of Aotearoa? Then a wildlife watching adventure might be the perfect outdoor adventure for you! Head out to a local bush walk or beach and see if you can spot some native critters. If you’d like to go on a more structured adventure then head over to newzealand.com to see a list of the ten best wildlife experiences in Aotearoa!

3. Scavenger/Plant Hunt

Turn conservation and restoration into a fun game with a plant hunt! Head outdoors and do your best to identify as many plants as you can. See if you can find some native Aotearoa plants or try find as many edible wild plants as you can. Another way to play is to identify pest plants growing in your backyard or neighbourhood and remove them – helping to keep Aotearoa pest free whilst having fun! Did you know that only 1/3 of our fungal species have been identified? You might even discover a new species! Learn how to identify pest plants on the Pest Free Kaipātiki website.

4. Gardening

Gardening is not only a productive way to get outdoors but it can also put fresh healthy food on the table! Gardening is considered to be moderate-intensity exercise and burns a lot of calories, saving you a trip to the gym! A fantastic outdoor activity for the whole whānau, or a peaceful time-out for yourself, gardening can be a super effective mood booster. Spending time digging in the soil and connecting with nature can be extremely therapeutic and soothing for a stressed, busy mind.

If you’d like some more ideas of what you can do for Get Outdoors Week, check out the events list on our website or head over to the Get Outdoors Week Facebook page and take part in the daily photo challenges. You might even win one of the awesome prizes up for grabs!

Get Outdoors Week, 20 - 28 November 2021
getoutdoorsweek.co.nz