Walking Trails in Marlborough
See, Marlborough isn’t just about the wine! With exceptional coastal scenery along the Marlborough Sounds and spectacular inland landscapes such as the Pelorus River and the Mount Richmond Forest Park, the South Island region of Marlborough is a hiker’s dream.
Mix that with the sunny climate that Marlborough receives and you have the perfect recipe to tie up your hiking boots and hit the trails. We’ll go through some of the walking highlights in this list of awesome walks in Marlborough.
While you’re here, you might also be interested in 10 Marlborough Must-Dos and 10 Blenheim Must-Dos.
Table of Contents
1. Black Jack Track (1h30min Loop)
Soak up the stunning coastal scenery on one of the best walks near Blenheim. The Black Jack Track offers a relatively short but rewarding loop with a few steeper sections.
From Whites Bay, the track climbs to a spectacular viewpoint on the edge of a bluff, where you can enjoy breathtaking vistas of Te Whanganui/Port Underwood, Cook Strait, and Cape Campbell. The walk continues through regenerating forest, providing a diverse and scenic experience.
At the summit, we love the great picnic spot with its superb coastline views, perfect for a well-earned break! Do take care with children at the viewpoint, as we’ve found it can be quite exposed.
Location: Start from the Cable Station Carpark signposted off Port Underwood Road, 9 km (6 mi) north of Blenheim. Public toilets available at the trailhead.
© Phillip Capper on Wikipedia2. Queen Charlotte Track (3-5 Days One Way)
The Queen Charlotte Track is a stunning 73.5 km (45.7 mi) journey through the heart of the Marlborough Sounds. This popular multi-day hike offers a unique combination of coastal scenery, native bush, and historical sites.
The track stretches from Ship Cove to Anakiwa, providing hikers with breathtaking views of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds.
What sets this track apart is its flexibility. You can choose to walk or bike the trail, with the entire track open to mountain biking. The journey typically takes 3-5 days on foot or about 13 hours by bike. Thanks to the region’s temperate climate, it’s an all-year-round adventure.
Accommodation options range from campsites to luxurious lodges, catering to all preferences.
Find out more in our Guide to the Queen Charlotte Track.
Location: Ship Cove, Marlborough Sounds (transport available from Picton)
© MarlboroughNZ3. Wairau Lagoons Walkway (2-hour Loop)
Discover one of the eastern South Island’s rare accessible estuaries at the Wairau Lagoons. This beautiful walk offers a glimpse into a unique habitat that has been forming for over 6,500 years.
The almost entirely flat Wairau Lagoons Walkway is an easy 2-hour loop suitable for all ages and popular with families.
Follow the shoreline of the upper lagoon, passing Budges and Moerepo Islands before reaching the main channel. Here, you’ll spot the rusting remains of the Waverley shipwreck, an intriguing piece of local history.
For a different perspective, continue past the Waverley for views of the Wairau River or take a more direct route across the fascinating saltmarsh on your return.
Don’t forget your sunscreen and hat, as there’s little shade along the way.
Location: End of Hardings Road, 1.5 km (0.9 miles) south of Blenheim, Marlborough, South Island
© Ricky Wilson on Flickr4. Wither Hills Farm Park (5 Hours Return)
Spend as long or as little as you want exploring this 1,100 ha (2,718 acre) working farm with a myriad of walking trails to choose from.
We love the gentle walk to the Rotary Lookout (20 minutes one way) for stunning views of the Wairau Valley, Richmond Ranges, and Blenheim.
For a longer adventure, follow the trails to Mt Vernon, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas stretching all the way to the Cook Strait.
As you ascend through open tussock grasslands and regenerating native bush, keep an eye out for native birds like the pīwakawaka (fantail) and tauhou (silvereye).
Visit the Sutherland Stream, where important restoration efforts have been made to revive native plants and birdlife.
There are single-lane mountain biking trails to enjoy too, find out more in Mountain Biking in Marlborough.
Location: The main entrance is at Rifle Range Place off Taylor Pass Road. Other accesses include Taylor Pass Road, Forest Hills Drive, Weld Street, Fyffe Street, Redwood Street, Dry Hills Lane or Cob Cottage Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Tirohanga Track (2 hrs 30 mins Return)
Get a great view of Picton and the Queen Charlotte Sound from the Tirohanga Track, otherwise known as the Hilltop View.
This beautiful walk near Picton offers stunning vistas that make the climb worthwhile. The well-formed track is mostly shaded and easy to navigate, with a few steps scattered along the way.
While it may be a bit challenging for less agile walkers, the amazing views from the Hilltop View lookout are a just reward. You can either return via the same route or create a loop with the Hilltop View Loop for a different perspective.
For more walks in Picton, simply head to 15 Awesome Hikes in Picton.
Location: Start this walk either on Newgate Street or from Garden Terrace, Picton.
© Destination Marlborough and Roady - MarlboroughNZ6. Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve Walks (30 Minutes – 4 Hours Return)
Starting from the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve campsite, a network of exciting walking and hiking trails awaits showcasing the spectacular river gorge scenery of the Pelorus River.
An easy-going trail, the Tawa Trail (30-minute loop) weaves through a forest and over river terraces formed thousands of years ago. The Elvy Waterfalls Track (2 hours return) leads to two picturesque waterfalls.
For something a little longer, choose either the Trig K Track or Daltons Track – both a 4-hour return. The walks are located near the town of Havelock.
See more things to do in the area in 10 Fun Things to Do in Havelock.
Location: State Highway 6, 18km (11 miles) west of Havelock.
© MarlboroughNZ.com7. Goat Hill Track (1 Hour One Way)
If your travels bring you to the secluded settlement of Okiwi Bay at the entrance to the French Pass road, then don’t miss this picturesque hiking trail. The Goat Hill Track is a challenging out-and-back trail that rewards hikers with spectacular coastal views.
According to our very own travel manager, Robin, the track is best tackled uphill first, allowing for a more enjoyable descent on the return journey.
As you climb through native forest, you’ll reach the Whangarae Bay Viewpoint, offering breathtaking vistas of the Tasman Sea and coastline on clear days.
While the track doesn’t summit Goat Hill itself, it provides a satisfying hiking experience for those seeking a moderate challenge.
Keep in mind that this is a shared path used by mountain bikers and walkers, so stay alert, especially on the fairly remote sections. Remember to pause at the viewpoints along the way to catch your breath and soak in the stunning scenery.
Location: Start from Croisilles Road, approximately 5 km (3 mi) east of the Okiwi Bay village, Marlborough, South Island.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Cullen Point Tracks
A fantastic walk near the town of Havelock, the Cullen Point Tracks offer breathtaking scenery across the Pelorus Sound, Mahau Sound and Havelock Township.
The tracks consist of two options: a 20-minute return “Lookout Track” and a 1-hour loop “Coastal Track”. Both are well-signposted from the car park along Queen Charlotte Drive.
We personally love the Coastal Track for its beautiful loop that takes in stunning views. It’s generally considered an easy route, perfect for hiking and walking.
The short but steep Lookout Track leads to a vantage point with panoramic vistas of Pelorus and Mahau Sounds. Remember to wear appropriate footwear, as the track can be slippery in places.
Location: Queen Charlotte Drive, 5.5 km (3.4 miles) from Havelock, Marlborough, South Island.
© MarlboroughNZ.com9. Mount Richmond Forest Park (1h30min Return – 4 Days)
Serious hikers should set their sights on the stunning Mount Richmond Forest Park. You are spoiled for choice when it comes to multi-day tramping trails.
For an easy walk, try the Lake Chalice Hut Tracks (2-hour return). The Pelorus Track (3-4 days), Old Man Circuit (2 days) and Chalice-Gouter Track (2-3 days) are all fantastic hikes incorporating alpine landscapes and ancient forest.
Location: There are multiple access roads along State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson.
© Sam Genas on Wikipedia10. The Link Pathway, Picton to Whenuanui Bay Lookout (1h30min One Way)
Pictons latest hiking addition is definitely worth discovering even if the whole 42km (26-mile) track linking Picton to Havelock is not yet complete.
Hike (or bike) in the forests of the Whenuanui Bay Scenic Reserve until you reach openings in the trees to reveal outstanding views of Queen Charlotte Sound.
Until the full track is complete, we recommend walking to the two viewpoint benches overlooking Whenuanui Bay and returning the same way.
Location: The start of the Link Pathway is about 3km up Queen Charlotte Drive. Look out for an opening in the trees on your left side, with an offroad parking area 50m (55 yards) further up to your right. The pathway is easy to miss so keep an eye out!
© NZPocketGuide.comMore About Marlborough
That’s it for our guide to the best walks in Marlborough; for more information about hiking in New Zealand, check out the following articles:
- 10 Awesome Activities in the Marlborough Sounds
- Top 10 Natural Attractions in Marlborough
- The Complete Guide to Picton
For more must-do activities in Marlborough, check out our guide to 10 Marlborough Must-Dos.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
