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

Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve 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.

Tawa Walk | 30 min loop
An easy walk through native forest to explore ancient river terraces.

Totara Walk | 30 min
See a giant totara tree amongst native forest.

River Access | 5 min

Circle Walk | 45 min loop
Wheelchair accessible up until the swing bridge. Spectacular forest walk with views of the Pelorus River.

Daltons Track | 3 hr return
Part of the Te Araroa Trail, follow the river across farmland.

Elvy Waterfalls Track | 2 hr return
See two waterfalls that feed into the Pelorus River. Stream crossing required.

Trig K Track | 4 hr return

(map sourced from DOC)

Access

The reserve is located between Blenheim and Nelson along SH6. From Havelock, drive 15 minutes towards Nelson on SH6 to Pelorus Bridge. Park either side of the road just before the bridge.