Waimea Basin walking tracks
Located in Nelson area in the Nelson/Tasman region
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Introduction
Enjoy a walk in the plains or low hills around Nelson or Motueka — an area known as the Waimea Basin.Walking and tramping
Easiest: Short walkEasy: Walking track
Dog access
Albion Square
In the heart of Nelson City is a lovely and historic area known as Albion Square. Part of this square is an historic reserve looked after by DOC. There are several historic features here that complement the nearby Hardy Street Girls School, an old (1864) post box still in use, the Suter Gallery and the Queens Gardens.
Interpretation panels on both Hardy and Bridge Streets help orient visitors to the square and its features, and provide more detail on its history.
Eves Valley Scenic Reserve
Time: 20 min return
Eves Valley is off Waimea West Road, 27 km from Nelson.
This little reserve in Eves Valley is a regenerating beech-podocarp forest covering 28 hectares. The reserve has many picnic areas, good access to the stream and a scenic 20-minute bush walk.
Camping is prohibited. Fires may only be lit in the fireplaces provided.
Snowdens Bush Scenic Reserve
The reserve is on Waimea West Road, just west of Brightwater, 21 km from Nelson.
Although severely modified, this reserve is an example of a forest type that once covered much of the Waimea Plains. It is dominated by totara, titoki and matai, and since grazing was stopped in 1972, a varied understorey has developed.
This 5.6 hectare reserve is a popular picnic and recreation area, with several paths meandering through the forest.
Camping is prohibited. Fires may only be lit in the fireplaces provided.
Belgrove windmill
The Belgrove windmill is on State Highway 6, 39 km south of Nelson.
The Belgrove windmill was built in 1897 on the Nelson railway line. It was used to pump water to help cool engines beginning the steep climb to Spooners tunnel. When the line closed, amid much protest in 1955, the windmill was left in place because it was also being used for domestic supply. It is one of only two such windmills remaining in the country.
The windmill is beside a busy weighbridge; watch out for logging trucks.
Hope Saddle
Hope Saddle is on State Highway 6.75 km south of Nelson.
In 1871, a winding, precipitous track was cut through the bush over Hope Saddle. In 1879 the first horse drawn vehicles started using it, as part of the route from Nelson to Westport. At the saddle today, travellers can stop for a while and enjoy the views of forests and mountains. There is a shelter and toilet; interpretation signs and picnic tables are provided at two viewing points.
- Be wary of sudden weather changes.
- If boating in Waimea Inlet, time your trip with the tides.
- Light fires only in designated areas.
Waimea Inlet is popular for fishing, whitebaiting, water-skiing, sea kayaking, jogging, walking, duck hunting, dog exercising (in some places only) and bird watching. Bird watching is best on the north-eastern corner of Bells Island at high tide during the summer season, when there are many northern hemisphere migratory birds present.
Contacts
| Whakatū / Nelson Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 3 546 9339 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Postal Address: |
Private Bag 5 Nelson 7042 |
| Full office details | |
| Motueka Office | |
| Phone: | 0800 275 362 |
| Email: | motueka@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
406 High Street Motueka 7120 |
| Postal Address: |
406 High Street Motueka 7120 |
| Full office details | |
