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 Fishtail

Pine Valley Road will be closed to the public due to forest harvesting work from Monday 20 June 2022, for approximately six to seven weeks.

There will be no access to Mill Flat Campsite, Pine Valley Track and Mt Fishtail Route during this period. **

Take a day walk or multi day walk and hike up 1643 m to the top of Mt Fishtail and expect an amazing 360 degree view.

First drive 5km north of Renwick and over the Wairau Bridge, turn off at Northbank Road and follow this for 25km to Pine Valley Road, follow this to the end.

Walk 40 minutes, 2km, to the Pine Valley Hut Site. From here walk 5 hours, 7km, up to the Fishtail Hut. Continue to the Mt Fishtail summit, 1 hour. On the way back down have the choice of staying at Fishtail Hut or conintuing down 5 hours 40 minutes back to the start.

This is an ideal walk for those that have a whole day or a couple of days.

Access

5 km north of Renwick, just over the Wairau River bridge, turn off SH6 onto Northbank Road. Follow this for 25 km then turn into Pine Valley Road and follow this to the end.

Facilities

Fishtail Hut provides four bunk beds, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from the tap - not treated (Boil before use).

Safety

Weather - Bad weather can occur at anytime so travel prepared with extra waterproof and warm clothing. Carry extra food and be aware of snow and wind hazards. Ensure you have enough experience and someone knows your intentions of your walk. Tip - fill in the hut books.

In flood rivers and streams can be impassable, please wait until these flood waters recede.

Wasps - From December until April wasps appear to be a more frequent visitor. Carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings.

Drinking water - Water should be carried. There is a creek at the bottom however, as you continue up it becomes scarce especially on the warmer days. The purity of this water can't be guaranteed. Recommended to Boil, filter or chemically treat it.