Archers Track
Track category
Walking track
Mountain bike - Easy
Mountain bike - Advanced
Time:
3 hr 30 min one way
Distance:
9 km
Description
View from Archers Track
This walking track passes through native and pine forest from Penzance Bay to Elaine Bay. Allow 1 hour 30 minutes to Deep Bay which is half way, or 3 hours to complete the whole track.
Getting there
You can get to this track from the Tennyson Inlet Road off State Highway 6 just past Rai Valley. Then turn left after Opouri Saddle and drive to Penzance where the track starts.
You can also start the track from Elaine Bay which is accessed from the road to French Pass.
Water taxi services are available from Picton, Havelock, and French Pass to parts of the Sounds. You can also hire yachts, launches, motor boats, and sea kayaks.
Activities
Dog walking
Mountain biking and cycling
Dog walking
A permit is required - contact Sounds Area Office. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Dog access in the Sounds
Mountain biking
You can mountain bike on Archers Track.
The Kennett Brothers book "Classic New Zealand Mountain Bike Rides" has the track classified easy to advanced.
Plan and prepare
- 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, and if you are going out on the water, check the marine weather forecast.
- Light fires only in designated areas.
- Boil, filter, or treat water for drinking. On some tracks you must carry water.
- In late summer and autumn, carry antihistamine if allergic to wasp stings.
Trip intentions
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.