Anakiwa to Pelorus Bridge

  • Walking
  • Mountain Biking
Difficulty
Easy
Length
41.5 km
Journey Time
2 days
Region
Marlborough
Sub-Region
Marlborough
Part of Collections
Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail , Te Araroa - South Island
Track maintained by
Te Araroa Trail Trust

Te Araroa trail section: After completing the Queen Charlotte Track, follow the Link Pathway beside tranquil inlets, through forest and farmland, passing through Havelock, the Green Shell Mussel Capital of the World!

This section of Te Araroa is maintained by a local group whose project, the Link Pathway, is a 42km walking and cycling trail linking Picton to Havelock with a side trail to Anakiwa. Anakiwa is the small village at the southern end of the Queen Charlotte Track. Te Araroa signage will come in due course, but for now, walkers can follow the numerous Link Pathway signs. Take in the impressive views of the Marlborough Sounds and native bush as you follow this community-built path. 

Anakiwa to Havelock 20.6km

The Link Pathway heads out from Anakiwa to the T junction with Queen Charlotte Drive, turn right and continue to Linkwater School some 1.25km distant.

From the school, continue on Queen Charlotte Drive past the Linkwater Service Station. At the end of the Linkwater straight, follow the trail around the Mahakipawa Arm to the next stretch of bush track leading off from the right-hand side of the road. The Link Pathway will take you all the way around the point and into Havelock — a triumph of community vision and energy.

Continue following the Link Pathway crossing the Havelock Causeway Bridge, then a series of beautifully constructed boardwalks will take you across the estuary and up through the historic Havelock Cemetery. Continue on the footpath to SH6, turn right and walk the remaining 100m into Havelock Village. 

Havelock to Daltons Bridge - 14km

From the shopping area on Havelock Main Street (SH6), walk west on the footpath and then the road shoulder. 2.5km from the northern edge of Havelock, turn right/west into Te Hoiere Rd. Cross the bridge and continue 1km on Te Hoiere Road, crossing another bridge and reaching Kaiuma Bay Road. Turn left into Kaiuma Bay Road and walk some 9.5km to Daltons Bridge and the start of Daltons Track.  This is a shady and dusty road with occasional fast traffic and heavy trucks.  Local residents often comment on how hard it is to see walkers.  Please be mindful of this and wear hi-vis while walking on road.

Daltons Track (Special Conditions of Access) to Pelorus Bridge - 7km

Daltons Track opened in March 2011 following a collaborative process involving the Te Araroa Trust, private landowners, DoC, Marlborough District Council, and Herenga ā Nuku (Outdoor Access Commission). The track is to tramping track standard. It has a natural grassed surface, stiles over fence lines, and several unbridged creek crossings, which are straightforward in normal flows. 

When you reach Daltons Bridge, the large sign and stile onto Daltons Track will be immediately in front of you at the intersection of Kaiuma Bay Road and Daltons Road laneway - cross the stile, walk over towards the river and follow Daltons Track following the orange triangles.

  • This is a working dairy farm. Dairy cows may be present in one or more of the paddocks you walk through and are often curious but not aggressive.
  • Note: Under no circumstances should you continue ahead (south) on Daltons Road laneway — this becomes a farm track. It is used extensively by stock and farm vehicles and is not to be entered.

Daltons Track follows the true left bank of the Pelorus River for 6.5km. The route follows the fence line adjacent to (beside) the Pelorus River, and at no time does it follow the farm road / laneway, so, to repeat, please do not use that under any circumstances.

Continue following the orange triangles through the paddocks, the trail then enters the DoC Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. This well marked loop track can be followed in either direction (15mins one way or 20mins the other way) to a swing bridge over the the sparkling Rai River, just before the confluence with the gorgeous Pelorus / Te Hoiere River. It then emerges through the forest at Pelorus Bridge, 100m from the DoC Campground, where there is parking and public toilets.

The stunning green waters of the river pools may tempt you for a dip on a hot day. Otherwise, Maungatapu Road (also known as Mt Richmond Road) lies in front of you, and Te Araroa continues south on that to the Pelorus River track trailhead. 

  • Note: It is 14km along Maungatapu / Mt Richmond Road to the next trailhead (and 8.5km further to Captain Creek Hut) — there are no budget accommodation options along Maungatapu Road — the Pelorus Bridge Campground should be used.

Conditions

Te Araroa Trust gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the two landowners allowing us access on to their land. To ensure ongoing goodwill, please respect the following conditions of access:

  • Track use is restricted to trampers during daylight hours only
  • Stiles are to be used where provided
  • Farm operations and stock have the right of way
  • No dogs, camping, fires, bikes or firearms.

How to get here

Northern Start: Northern end of Anakiwa Road, Anakiwa
Southern End: Junction of SH6 and Maungatapu Road, Pelorus Bridge

Transport

Havelock - Getting there/away 

  • InterCity - P: 03 365 1113 - Daily buses to Blenheim, Picton and Nelson. 
  • Private Driver Hire - P: 0272 565 643 (Paul) - can transport to/from all locations Picton-Anakiwa-Pelorus Bridge-Nelson-St Arnaud, priced on enquiry. We can take you from Anakiwa to the start of the trail head for the Pelorus track at the end of Maungatapu road, including stopping to re-supply in Havelock en-route. Travel time just under 2 hours including time to re-supply. This saves almost 3 days of road walking. 

Pelorus Bridge 

  • InterCity - P: 03 365 1113 to Blenheim, Picton and Nelson. 
  • Private Driver Hire - P: 0272 565 643 (Paul) - can transport to/from all locations Picton-Anakiwa-Pelorus Bridge-Nelson-St Arnaud, priced on enquiry.

Accommodation

Trail Pass

Campsite_20percent Pelorus Bridge - km 1,837.6 - 20% discount on serviced campsites (Bookings Required)

Totara Flats at Pelorus Bridge on the other side of the road from the family campground  - Included in the Trail pass (Bookings Required).  

An on-site notice states there is a $10 fee, and you cannot use your Hut Pass.  This is referring to the DOC Backcountry Hut Pass. The Totara Flats campsite is included in the Te Araroa Trail Pass.  Bookings at Totara Flats are essential and can be made on the DOC booking website or on arrival at the Pelorus Bridge Campground Office. To get to Totara Flat from the office, cross the road and the 10 minute Totara walk to Totara Flats.

Other Accommodation

Anakiwa and Linkwater

Havelock

Multiple hostel and motel options in Havelock:

Pelorus Bridge 

  • DOC Pelorus Bridge Campground - 5949 State Highway 6, Main Rd, RD2 - P: 03 571 6019 - E:sarah.huntley@ngatikuia.iwi.nz - Serviced campground. 
    • Campground is open with limited hours as follows - 8:00am-8:30am and 1:30pm-6:00pm during weekdays, and 11:00am - 4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. You can register for a campsite on the DOC website and a green tag will be waiting for you at the office. Fees: $20-22 per might.  The Campground is not covered by the backcountry hut pass, so you must pay on arrival or when you book online.  Bounce boxes are welcome for a fee of $10.
    • Te Hoiere/Pelorus River runs alongside the campground and is a beautiful spot for a swim. Please do not use any soap/shampoo if bathing in the river (or any rivers along the trail) as this contaminates the water and can harm aquatic life.
    • Pelorus Bridge Cafe is currently closed.  
    • There is a food truck offering cabinet food and a food menu 
     
  • Pelorus Bridge Campground Bounce Box Instructions
    If you are able to arrive at Pelorus Bridge before 3.00pm you may pay by cash or eftpos on pick up and let the office staff know you have a parcel to be picked up when you arrive. If you cannot arrive during office hours please follow instructions below:
    Please prepay the $10 fee into: Account Name: Titi i Te Rangi LP. Account Number: 12-3193-0031121-00
    Send me a screen shot of your payment and details of your approximate arrival date, and I will reply with a locker number and code to retrieve your parcel. Lockers are located at the Pelorus Campground office. Send your screenshots to 027 376 9045 or sarah.huntley@ngatikuia.iwi.nz.
     
  •  Totara Flats campsite at Pelorus Bridge - suitable for Te Araroa walkers camping one night. On the river bank across the road from the main DOC campsite. Toilet but no other facilities. More information in the Trail Pass Huts and Campsites list above 

Nelson

Food And Supply

Havelock

  • Four Square Supermarket - 79 State Highway, Havelock - P: 03 574 2166 
  • Ray’s Place Café – 66 Main Road, Havelock – P: 03 574 1111 – open long hours serving delicious homemade food, seven days a week. Beside the Four Square.
  • Slip Inn Café Bar Restaurant – 17 Cook Street, Havelock Port – P: 03 972 0676 – a great place for a meal or drinks overlooking the active port area, beside the Perolus Mail Boat moorings.
  • Sneaky Beach Bakery and Café - 65 Main Rd, Havelock - P: 03 574 2860 
  • Bow to Stern - 75 Main Rd, Havelock - P: 03 5742941 - E: ask@bowtostern.co.nz - full range of goods including footwear, poles, sleeping bags/mats, gas canisters, vinyl/nylon/tent repair kits, rain gear and other incidentals (sunscreen/bug repellent etc). They have an information board displayed - check in for info and/or add any feedback from where you've been. 

Track Elevation and Map

Total 1 photos. Click image above to view them all.

More information

Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.  

This track is part of the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa track database. Herenga ā Nuku has maps and advice about public access to the outdoors.

We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.

We recommend trying these online learning tools:

Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.

Mountain Safety Council Plan My Trip
Page last updated: 20/04/2025, 9:07 am