Last updated November 2026
This list gathers twelve short walks in and around Blenheim that take about an hour or less from start to finish, whether you loop back to the start or walk out and return the same way. They suit a spare hour, young legs, a break on a drive through the Sounds, or a first look at a new part of Marlborough.
The variety is wide: a wetland loop at Grovetown, two climbs into the Wither Hills Farm Park, coastal paths at Rārangi, Whites Bay and Picton, forest loops off Queen Charlotte Drive, and three walks in the Marlborough Sounds that you can only reach by boat.
How We Chose These Walks
Times and lengths come from the managers’ own pages: Marlborough District Council’s track pages, its Wither Hills Farm Park brochure and its Marlborough Walkers Guide, the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) track pages, and for Grovetown Lagoon the restoration society’s visitor page and the council’s mapped track data, which also feeds Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa’s national tracks data.
The rule is the whole walk, a loop or there and back, in about an hour or less. Where a time is one way, we say how long each way. Conditions change, so check the manager’s page before you go.
Blenheim and Grovetown
Grovetown Lagoon Loop Track
The lagoon is an oxbow lake, an old meander channel of the Wairau River, with streams, the Springs Wetland and new planting. The council gives access from Steam Wharf Road, off Fell Street.
The restoration society suggests starting at the new bridge on Steam Wharf Road (limited parking), or parking at the road’s end and following the stop bank past the Rowing Club.
The council’s track data maps the closed loop at 3.2 km, and the society calls it “a flat track, an easy 55 minute stroll”. Bikes are allowed. Dogs on a leash are allowed, but the society asks you to leave them at home because of the bird life. There are no toilets at the lagoon.
Wither Hills Farm Park
Both walks here are in the council’s farm park, and “as this is a working farm, no dogs are allowed”. “The Farm Park is open 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset”, and “The Farm Park, or parts of it, may occasionally be closed due to extreme fire risk, lambing or pest control operations.” The council’s farm park page says “During summer, the Wither Hills Farm Park often experiences high fire risk” and “often entry to the Farm Park between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm is not recommended.” Its brochure warns of “potential danger from fire, particularly during summer months and in dry, windy conditions”, and says “During these conditions it is strongly recommended to only use the lower tracks and trails beside the town.”
Rotary Lookout Track
The council’s brochure gives 25 minutes (1.0 km) one way from the Rifle Range Place Gateway to Rotary Lookout, so allow about 25 minutes each way and about 50 minutes there and back. The track leads to the Rotary Lookout shelter, which the council says gives “excellent views of Blenheim and the Wairau Plains”.
The brochure also names the Gentle Annie and Quail Stream walks as easier routes to the shelter. Its circuit down through Lower Quail Stream takes 1 hr 45 min, so return the way you came to stay within the hour. The council lists toilets at the farm park’s main car park at Rifle Range Place.
Sutherland Stream Walk
From the Redwood Street entrance car park, the council’s brochure gives 30 minutes (1.6 km) one way to the Sutherland Stream picnic area, so allow 30 minutes each way, an hour there and back. The track is walking only.
The council’s Walkers Guide says it “climbs gradually up the valley floor”, is “attainable by all levels of fitness”, and has several stiles, so wear sturdy footwear. It is “Not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or mountain buggies.” At the picnic area there are toilets, picnic platforms and a drinking fountain.
No dogs: the council’s dog rules exempt the Redwood Street car park and the Sutherland Stream Reserve from the farm park ban, but this track is in the farm park.
Rārangi and Whites Bay
Monkey Bay Walk
From the northern end of Rārangi Beach this short walk goes around a rocky point into Monkey Bay and its small beach. DOC gives 300 m return by the same track and 20 minutes, and grades it an easy short walk. A lookout near the start has signs explaining how sea currents built Rārangi Beach over thousands of years.
DOC warns of “steep and unfenced drop-offs right beside the track”, so keep to the track and supervise children at all times. DOC’s track data lists dogs as prohibited. Hot, dry weather and strong, cold winds are common here, and wasps are about in late summer and autumn.
Pukatea Walk
From the uppermost camping area at Pukatea/Whites Bay, this walk meanders down beside Pukatea Stream through regenerating forest to the cable station, which became the South Island terminus of an inter-island telegraph cable in 1866. DOC gives 600 m one way and 10 minutes, so allow about 10 minutes each way, around 20 minutes there and back.
DOC grades it easy to intermediate and notes an active slip along the track, where debris may come down in bad weather. No dogs. From Labour Weekend to Easter the campsite gate is closed from 9 pm to 7 am daily. Reach Whites Bay from SH1 at Tuamarina via Hunter, Pembers and Rarangi Roads, then Port Underwood Road.
Picton
Lower Bob’s Bay Track
From the northern end of Shelly Beach in Victoria Domain, the track runs about 1 km to Bob’s Bay, for swimming and views of the harbour. The council’s Walkers Guide says “It takes 30 minutes to reach Bob’s Bay using either track”: 30 minutes each way, an hour there and back.
The council calls it “suitable for most abilities”, undulating with short, moderately steep sections. It “has steep bluffs and children must be supervised”, is “not suitable for mountain bikes, wheelchairs or mobility scooters”, and in winter it can be wet and muddy.
Dogs on a lead on the domain’s formed walking tracks, but not on Shelly Beach Reserve’s grassed picnic area. Toilets at Shelly Beach and Bob’s Bay.
Queen Charlotte Drive and Queen Charlotte Sound
Momorangi Forest Experience Walk
A 20-minute loop from the end of the Momorangi Bay campground road, off Queen Charlotte Drive; park in the public car park on the main road.
The gravel track rises gently about 10 m along one bank of the stream and returns on the other, through regenerating forest with interpretation panels, and DOC calls it a cool place on a hot summer’s day.
DOC’s track data maps it at about 370 m. Glow-worms are plentiful once it is completely dark. DOC grades it easy to intermediate and says it is suitable for prams. No dogs. In late summer and autumn, carry antihistamine if you are allergic to wasp stings.
Cullen Point Tracks
Two walks start from a well-marked car park 5.5 km along Queen Charlotte Drive from Havelock. The Cullen Point Coastal Track is a one-hour loop with views of Pelorus Sound and Havelock, graded easy to intermediate.
The Cullen Point Lookout Track is a 10-minute return easy short walk to a lookout over Mahau Sound and the Kaituna and Pelorus estuaries. Do one or the other to stay within the hour, as the loop alone takes the full hour. DOC gives no lengths. Dogs only with a DOC permit.
Mistletoe Bay Tracks
Mistletoe Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound has two DOC walks. The James Vogel Track is a 45-minute circuit with a link to the Queen Charlotte Track, and the Peninsula Walk is a one-hour round trip on the peninsula between Mistletoe and Waterfall bays. Both are graded easy to intermediate, and DOC gives no lengths.
Several slumps on the track near the Mistletoe Bay Campsite are slippery and hard to get through when wet, so be ready to get wet and muddy and wear footwear with grip.
DOC notes that Sounds roads off Queen Charlotte Drive are narrow, winding and mostly unsealed, and that water taxis run from Picton and Havelock. It gives no dog rule.
Boat-Access Walks in the Sounds
Motuara Island Lookout Track
Motuara Island lies in Queen Charlotte Sound opposite Ship Cove, about 32 km from Picton, and you can only get there by your own boat, a scenic cruise or sea kayak.
From the jetty the track climbs at a moderate gradient to a viewing platform on the 128 m summit, near Cook’s Cairn: 1.6 km and 40 minutes return by the same track.
Stop at the bird viewing station, five minutes from the jetty, and look for South Island robin, tīeke/saddleback and kākāriki/yellow-crowned parakeet. DOC grades it easy to intermediate. No dogs.
Ferndale Tracks
These walks start at the Ferndale campsite in Kenepuru Sound, and DOC says “You can only get to this walk by boat.” Water taxis run from Picton, or you can hire a boat or sea kayak.
DOC offers a 15-minute loop track or a one-hour return track, both within the hour, and grades them easy to intermediate. It gives no lengths. Dogs only with a DOC permit. In late summer and autumn, carry antihistamine if you are allergic to wasp stings.
Putanui Point Track
This track in Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere is boat access only, with water taxis from Havelock. It crosses a forest-covered point to a lookout, and you can start from either side of the point.
DOC gives 2 km and 30 minutes one way, so allow about 30 minutes each way, an hour there and back. It is graded easy to intermediate. Dogs only with a DOC permit. Check the marine forecast before you head out, as DOC notes conditions in the Sounds can change quickly on the water.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these walks need a boat?
Three: Motuara Island (your own boat, a scenic cruise or sea kayak), Ferndale (water taxi from Picton, or a hired boat) and Putanui Point (water taxi from Havelock). The other nine start from roads, car parks or campsites.
Which walks take the full hour?
Six options sit right on 60 minutes: the Sutherland Stream walk, the Lower Bob’s Bay Track and the Putanui Point Track there and back, the Cullen Point Coastal Track loop, the Peninsula Walk at Mistletoe Bay and the one-hour return track at Ferndale. Allow a little extra if you like to stop.
Can I take my dog?
On a lead at Grovetown Lagoon (where the society asks you to leave dogs at home) and on the Lower Bob’s Bay Track. Ferndale, Putanui Point and Cullen Point need a DOC permit. DOC gives no dog rule for Mistletoe Bay, and the other walks are no dogs.
Can I walk in the Wither Hills in summer?
Yes, but the council says “During summer, the Wither Hills Farm Park often experiences high fire risk” and “often entry to the Farm Park between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm is not recommended.” In those conditions it recommends only the lower tracks and trails beside the town, and the park, or parts of it, may occasionally close for extreme fire risk, lambing or pest control operations.
Are any of these walks suitable for pushchairs?
DOC says the Momorangi Forest Experience Walk is suitable for prams. The council’s Walkers Guide says the Sutherland Stream walk and the Bob’s Bay tracks are not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The other managers give no rating.
Where are the toilets?
At Shelly Beach and Bob’s Bay for the Lower Bob’s Bay Track, at the Sutherland Stream picnic area, and at the Rifle Range Place car park for the Rotary Lookout Track. There are no toilets at Grovetown Lagoon.
How did you work out the times?
Every time is the manager’s own: DOC’s track pages, the council’s Wither Hills brochure and Walkers Guide, and the Grovetown Lagoon restoration society’s visitor page. For one-way walks we doubled the time to get there and back.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- Marlborough District Council: Wither Hills Farm Park Mt Vernon Loop Tracks: the council’s farm park page, with tracks, toilets, the dog rule and its summer fire risk advice.
- Department of Conservation: Marlborough: DOC’s places to go in Marlborough, with every track page, times, grades and alerts.
- Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa: Outdoor Access Commission: national tracks data and maps of public access across New Zealand.