Pelorus Scenic Reserve walking tracks

Easy access walk

Getting there

The reserve is located midway between Blenheim and Nelson on State Highway 6, 18km west of Havelock.

Description

From the car parks on either side of State Highway 6, the main paths in the reserve explore the forest and riverbanks. They 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. 

Totara Path, Pelorus Bridge Scenic
Reserve

Totara Walk - 30 min

From the carpark/picnic area an easy path loops through forest with a mixture of podocarp, broadleaf and beech trees. Pause for a moment to appreciate the ancient totara tree along the path and look for the honeydew on the beech trees.

River Access - 5 min

A short walk, branching off the Totara Path, leads down to the river.

Circle Walk - 45 min

The Circle Track begins as an easy stroll alongside the Pelorus. The wheelchair-standard path overlooks the river. Further along, the river builds a beach as it sweeps around a bend. The path leads to a suspension bridge across the Rai River, just before it feeds into the Pelorus.

Beyond the swingbridge the walk becomes a tramping track and makes a loop through a pocket of forest. For part of its length the track follows the river, providing good views of its junction with the Rai.

The Circle Walk has short stretches with steps and moderate gradients but is otherwise flat.

Elvy Waterfalls Track - 2 hr return

This tramping track offers the opportunity to view two picturesque waterfalls, along streams that feed into the Pelorus River. The track branches off the Tawa Path and wanders along the bank of the river for most of its length, before turning up Elvy Stream. Access to the first waterfall requires a stream crossing so care should be taken during wet weather. Return via the same track or continue on to Trig K.

Trig K Track - 4 hr return

 
Beginning of Tawa Walk

Superb views of the surrounding countryside reward those who climb to Trig K. In one direction the tramping track leading up to it continues on from the waterfall track, passing through mature and regenerating beech forest on a dry ridge. The other, shorter approach climbs through lusher podocarp-broadleaf forest.

Tawa Walk - 30 min

A gentle path from the cafe takes you through shady forest to explore river terraces left by the Pelorus River over thousands of years. 

Activities

Flora and fauna

The vegetation in the reserve provides an excellent example of the type of fertile lowland forest which extended through the valleys of the region before European settlement. A mosaic of beech, podocarp and broadleaf species make up the forest, their distribution reflecting local variations in environment conditions.

Black beech is abundant on steeper slopes while hard beech is more common on the spurs and the more rounded slopes. On the moister and more fertile river terraces, the emergent crowns of podocarps: rimu, matai, miro, totara and kahikatea, tower over a hardwood canopy of kamahi, mixed beech, hinau, broadleaf and tawa, the latter reaching its southern limit here. Closer to the ground is a variety of shrubs, saplings, ferns, mosses and liverworts.

Bird watching

As you would expect, such an environment is home to a variety of forest birds, both native and introduced. Although not always easy to see, their delightful songs can often be heard.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed by permit only, available from Department of Conservation offices.

Plan and prepare

• Always carry warm, waterproof clothes, especially on longer walks. Take care when the tracks are wet or the river flooded. Remember you safety is your responsibility.
• Cats, dogs and any other domestic animals are not allowed in the reserve
• Fires are not permitted in the reserve.
• Rubbish facilities are provided in the car parks, outside the tearooms and at the campground.
• Please protect the reserve's clean waters. Use toilets where provided and keep soap out of rivers and streams.
• Boil, filter, or treat water for drinking.
• In late summer and autumn, carry antihistamine if allergic to wasp stings.
• Mountain bikes are not permitted in the reserve.
  

What to expect on an easy access walk:

• Easy walking for up to an hour
• Track is well formed, with an even surface. Few or no steps or slopes
• Suitable for people of all abilities and fitness
• Stream and river crossings are bridged
• Walking shoes required