Te Araroa Trail

Welcome to the South Island
Queen Charlotte Track

1 of NZ's iconic walks
Short walks

Plenty to choose from
Heritage walks

Walk through historic sites

Guide

Walks

Get to know Marlborough step by step, via walking tracks to alpine peaks, golden trails on working farms and native bush walks in the Marlborough Sounds.

Marlborough walks can be as challenging as Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku, as beautiful as the Queen Charlotte Track and as relaxing as the Taylor River reserve.

Whether you’re hiking for a day or a week, staying in a tent, hut or lodge, you’ll love the pace of Marlborough.

Start planning your walk with New Zealand Mountain Safety Councils Plan my Walk app. An awesome app that provides you with useful information of particular tracks, alerts, weather and what gear you will need. Click here to check it out.

Short walks

Save your breath for the breathtaking views and stroll some of Marlborough’s short tracks. A few minutes or hours on your feet can yield big rewards, with easy walks to everything from a seal pup nursery to a golden beach in the Marlborough Sounds.

Short walks in Marlborough
Day walks

From beach trails at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, to sub alpine climbs in the Richmond Range, Marlborough has a range of day walks, whatever your level or choice of scenery. Pack your coat, your lunch and your walking boots, and set out to explore.

Marlborough day walks
Multi-day walks

Trek to a lighthouse at the edge of a reef or a resort at the edge of the Marlborough Sounds. Walk through native bush to a secluded beach, or climb a mountain range to a panoramic view. Stay in a tent, hut or luxury lodge, and choose to carry your luggage or have it taken ahead. The only challenge with hiking in Marlborough is choosing where to go.

Multi-day walks in Marlborough

Roy Grose Director Operations, Northern South Island | Te Tau Ihu

“Marlborough is the mountains to the sea. One day you can be out in the Marlborough Sounds, and the next day be up at Lake Rotoiti. On the way you can stop and pick cherries or have a glass of wine at a cellar door. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

My insider guide to Marlborough

Mt Stokes Track

* Access to Mt Stokes via the Kenepuru Drive is currently closed. *

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, and a unique sub-alpine habitat with spectacular views. The tramping track follows a ridge to a clearing at the 1,203m summit.

To get to the walk, from Queen Charlotte Drive turn-off at Linkwater onto Kenepuru Road. The start of this track is 41 km from the turn-off at Linkwater. Kenepuru Road is narrow and winding.

Mount Stokes is named after Captain John Stokes, who charted the entire New Zealand coastline between 1848 and 1851 in the survey ship Acheron, visiting the Sounds in 1849. The Maori name is Pororangi.

Length

Half day return

Know before you go

The weather in the Sounds is generally mild, but conditions can change quickly, especially on the water. Ensure that you have adequate equipment and experience.

This track can experience alpine conditions, including thick fog. Check the weather forecast before you and go. Don't go past the bushline if visibility is poor.

Light fires only in designated areas.

Carry water.

In late summer and autumn, carry antihistamine if allergic to wasp stings.

Conditions & closures

See DOC's site

Te Araroa Trail

Queen Charlotte Track

Short walks

Heritage walks

Guide

Walks

Short walks

Day walks

Multi-day walks