Image: Les Molloy | DOC
Two hikers approach a wooden hut via a path through a clearing of tussock grass. There are trees and mountains in the background.
Salisbury Track

Located in Kahurangi National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region

Walk to Salisbury Lodge from Flora car park. This is an easy overnight tramp that's good for older children.

The access road into the Mount Arthur area (Graham Valley Road) is steep and narrow and prone to corrugations and slips – check any alerts for road status. During the winter months a 4WD vehicle is recommended to access Flora carpark. Chains may be needed if snow and ice are present.

It is a short 30 minute walk from the car park over the saddle to Flora Hut.

Approximately 45 minutes’ walk from Flora Hut is a pool where it is said that Bishop Suter of Nelson bathed while on a visit to the Tableland diggings in 1871.

After a further 30 minutes, you will find the Gridiron Hut and Shelter — together they accommodate seven people.

Continue from the Upper Gridiron Hut to the Upper Junction.

Take the left fork at Upper Junction (about 2 hours down from Flora Hut) and begin a steady climb.

The track passes Growler Shelter after about 30 minutes and the forest becomes ever sparser until you emerge suddenly on the tussock lands known as Salisbury’s Open.

A short side track leads to the Dry Rock Shelter that will accommodate four people.

Salisbury Lodge is 20 minutes further on, across the open tussock.

Side trip: The Potholes

Time: 1 hr 30 min return
Distance: 3 km

From Salisbury Lodge walk back to the Gordons Pyramid signpost. Enter the forest and turn right at the Potholes sign.

Poles lead through a chain of sinkholes, passing Sphinx Creek (which disappears into a cave), and bring you out in Sphinx Gully, not far below the lodge.

Flora car park is 75 km from Nelson and 36 km from Motueka.

The Motueka Valley Highway links Nelson and Motueka. Turn off this road at Ngātīmoti and cross the Motueka River. Turn left onto Motueka River West Bank Road, then right into Graham Valley Road, which climbs steeply to the car park. The last 5.8 km is unsealed and turning a vehicle on the road can be difficult. 4WD is recommended at all times of the year.

Keep to the lower Flora valley in poor weather or if you are inexperienced.