Marfells Beach/Cape Campbell Route
Alert/Important notice
Spring high tides can block access around the foot of bluffs.
Route
Time:
1 day
Getting there
The turn-off to Marfells Beach is 36 km south of Blenheim via State Highway 1. The beach is a further 8 km down Marfells Road.
About the area
Eastern Marlborough is an area of rugged mountains and an equally rugged coastline. Find out about the recreational opportunities available in the area.
This small coastal reserve has a long history as a public recreation area, starting in 1925 when the Marfell family exchanged land with the Crown for that purpose. The reserve has since been extended and the facility improved and is managed by DOC as a picnic and camping area.
Description
Cape Campbell, South Marlborough
An unmarked route follows the beach from the eastern end of the camping area to Cape Campbell, the southernmost extreme of Cook Strait. The striking lighthouse there is the second, built in 1903 to replace the original built in 1870.
Allow a full day for this walk and be aware that the spring high tides can block access around the foot of bluffs along the way.
Access to Cape Campbell is across private land. Please respect this and leave the farm gates as you find them.
Activities
Bird watching
Fishing
Guided activities
Fishing off Marfells Beach and bird watching in nearby Lake Grassmere are popular activities.
While the lake still offers good bird-watching opportunities, it also produces about half of New Zealand's annual salt requirements - 60,000 tonnes. The nearby salt works offers have come a long way from its beginnings in 1943 when the salt was harvested in wheelbarrows and washed in a concrete mixer. Guided tours for school groups and bus tours can be made by prior arrangement. Call 03 575 7021 for more information.
Places to stay
This is a standard campsite located in the South Marlborough area.
Fees are payable for camping at Marfells Beach. These can be deposited at the self registration kiosk.
Fires and dogs are not allowed.
Plan and prepare
Please remember
- Hot, dry conditions and strong, cold winds are both common in this area.
- Check the tides before undertaking the Marfells Beach/Cape Campbell walk.
- Marlborough has a dry climate and fire is a significant hazard to human safety, natural areas and agriculture. Open fires are not permitted at any of the East Coast reserves and only portable stoves should be used for cooking.
- Please take your rubbish away with you - no facilities are provided.
- Dogs are not allowed.
- Purity of drinking water cannot be assured unless it has been boiled, filtered or treated.
What to expect on a route:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track unformed and natural, rough, muddy or very steep
- Suitable for people with above average fitness. High level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Complete self sufficiency required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Sturdy tramping/hiking boots required
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