Marlborough Region Walks

Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve offers numerous tracks, taking you through ancient forest and to the edge of the beautiful Pelorus River.

Many of the tracks are wide and gentle, built to a standard suitable for wheelchairs. Beyond these paths, and across the Rai swing bridge there are several other tracks.

Allow 1 hour 30 minutes to Deep Bay which is half way, or 3 hours to walk the whole track. Enjoy stunning views of Tennyson Inlet and islands from this track. The bush goes right to the coast along part of the track and then opens out into pine forest closer to Elaine Bay.

You can get to this track by turning off SH6 near Rai Valley onto Ronga Road then right into Opouri Road. Follow the road over Opouri Saddle then turn left onto Archer Road and drive to Penzance where the track starts.

You can also start the track from Elaine Bay which is accessed from the road to French Pass.

Water taxi services are available from Havelock. You can also hire yachts, launches, motor boats, and sea kayaks.

This track takes you to a viewpoint over historic French Pass, where the tidal surges are an incredible sight.

You can get to the track from the French Pass Road off State Highway 6 just past Rai Valley.

You can stay at the campsite in Nydia Bay, at the Department of Conservation lodge, at bed and breakfasts or at the eco lodge.

The track begins at Kaiuma Bay near Havelock and finishes at Tennyson Inlet, which you reach via the road to French Pass, off State Highway 6 just north of Rai Valley. Turn right onto Opouri Road and follow to the end. Charter launches and the mail boat run are available to take passengers from Havelock to Shag Point, Nydia Bay or Duncan Bay, or walk in the opposite direction to friends, swapping car keys in Nydia Bay.

27km. 9.5 hours walking, one way.

Walk the beautiful loop track for views of Pelorus Sound and Havelock and the short lookout track for views of Mahua Sound.

Cullen Point Coastal Track Time: 1 hr loop

This beautiful loop track takes in the views of Pelorus Sound and the Havelock Township.

Cullen Point Lookout Track Time: 10 min return

This short walk leads to a lookout, giving views of Mahau Sound, as well as Kaituna and Pelorus estuaries.

The 45-minute loop follows steep-sided gullies up on to the main ridge on the southern boundary of the Wither Hills Farm Park. From here there are great views to the northwest of the Richmond Ranges, Wairau Valley, the north and northwest over Blenheim and out to Cloudy Bay. The route heads down an open ridge from Mt Vernon with a continuous view of Blenheim, out over the Wairau Lagoons and on a clear day across to Wellington's south coast.

Governors Bay is accessed via this short walking track, just a 15 minute drive from Picton on Queen Charlotte Drive.

Governors Bay is a beautiful golden beach surrounded by lush native bush, and great for swimming. Pack a picnic and your togs for a relaxing day trip to paradise.

You will walk first to the Queen Charlotte View Lookout, and can carry on from there to a picnic area at the end of the headland.

There are many small adjoining tracks within Victoria Domain to reach the start of this track, including via Lower Bob's Bay Track, Upper Bob's Bay Track and the Picton-Waikawa Walkway.

Whilst most walkers head to the Queen Charlotte Track, this is an ideal walk for those who only have a few hours, but still want to get some stunning views of the Marlborough Sounds.

Explore the Victoria Domain and discover some incredible short walking tracks.

There are a number of walks from the Victoria Domain in Picton, from 10 minutes to several hours. From Picton, walk over the marina bridge to do the lovely Harbour View Track, Bob's Bay walk or even push on to the Snout if you feel more energetic. The Snout Track can also be accessed by driving to the carpark in Victoria Domain.

This ten-minute walk yields history and views, with a track that passes earthworks of a historic Māori pa site on its way to a stunning view of Queen Charlotte Sound.

Head toward Port Underwood from Picton to find the Karaka Point car park.

This tramping track in Kenepuru Sound follows a ridge to the summit (1203 m), the highest point in the Marlborough Sounds.

Walk to a saddle overlooking Anakoha Bay and Forsyth Island, then climb on up through mountain bush to Mt Stokes, the highest point in the Marlborough Sounds. The tramping track follows a ridge to a clearing at the 1,203m summit.

To get to the walk, turn off Queen Charlotte Drive and onto Kenepuru Road at Linkwater and drive 41 km.

Half-day return track.