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

Snout Track

Expect an eyeful of views when you walk Picton’s Snout Track, which begins at the Snout Track car park, above Endeavour Park.

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.

Length

From the end carpark in Victoria Domain, allow approximately 3 hours return. If you're walking from Picton, allow at least 4 hours return.

Access

DRIVE
From Picton along Waikawa Rd, turn left onto Sussex St, and continue straight through the next intersection into Victoria Domain (see the blue line on the map)

WALK
From Picton via Bob's Bay, Harbour View Track, or the Picton-Waikawa track. Start by walking over the tall curved walking bridge, then follow the water's edge to your left to find the start of the track. Please note, there is a small section in Victoria Domain where you may need to walk alongside the road, please take extra care.