Last updated November 2026
The Ōruawairua Track is a short island walk on Blumine Island/Ōruawairua in Queen Charlotte Sound, about 45 km from Blenheim. It runs from the Blumine Island campsite to the western gun emplacement, with several lookout points over the Sound along the way.
DOC grades it as an easy to intermediate walking track and times it at 55 minutes for the 2.4 km one-way walk. There is no road access: DOC says you reach the island by your own boat, a water taxi from Picton or by sea kayak. Check DOC before you go, and check your boat and gear for pests before you land.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Oruawairua Walk on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Blumine Island campsite, Blumine Island/Ōruawairua (boat, water taxi or kayak access only)
- Distance from the city
- About 45 km from Blenheim; DOC puts the island 22 km from Picton
- Walking time
- 55 min one way
- Track length
- 2.4 km one way
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate walking track (DOC grade)
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Track type
- Walking track
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Open when checked on 18 October 2026. Check DOC before you go.
- Track markers
- On marked bush tracks, DOC and most councils use orange triangles for the walking route. Triangles or tape in other colours, usually pink or blue, mark pest-control lines and traps. They can lead off the track, so don’t follow them.
About Ōruawairua Track
Blumine Island/Ōruawairua sits in Queen Charlotte Sound and is part of the Blumine Island Scenic Reserve. The track leaves the campsite and works its way around the hill on a mostly gentle gradient, broken by a couple of short, steep pinches. Lookout points along the way open up views across the Sound.
The walk finishes at the western gun emplacement, one of the island’s historic sites, where DOC notes a view across to Long Island.
The island is pest free, and DOC says you could be lucky enough to see the endangered saddleback or the orange-fronted parakeet. Along the track you can peek into the weta “motels” to see whether anyone is home. Weka are plentiful too: don’t feed them, and keep an eye on your lunch, because they are known to help themselves.
DOC credits Blacks Fasteners with helping upgrade and complete the track. The same company is working alongside DOC on the Blumine Island Conservation Project, which is moving the endangered yellowhead (mohua) onto the island.
Getting There
Blumine Island/Ōruawairua is in Queen Charlotte Sound, and DOC puts it 22 km from Picton. The only ways there are your own boat, a water taxi from Picton or a sea kayak. DOC notes there are no moorings or jetties, so be ready to anchor and to get wet feet on the beach landing.
Keeping the Island Pest Free
Because Blumine Island/Ōruawairua is a pest-free island, DOC asks every visitor to make sure they don’t bring rats, mice or ants ashore. If you are taking your own boat, check it for signs of rodents such as droppings and gnawing, and keep fresh bait or traps on the boat and where it is stored.
All gear needs to be free of pests, especially camping gear, which has plenty of places for stowaways to hide. DOC asks for extra care if you live somewhere with Argentine ants. If you see a pest on the island, report it to the DOC emergency hotline on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Ōruawairua Track: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Blumine Island Scenic Reserve: the island, its campsite, history and pest-free visitor rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Ōruawairua Track take?
DOC times it at 55 minutes for the 2.4 km from the campsite to the western gun emplacement, one way. Allow about the same again to walk back.
How hard is the walk?
DOC grades it as an easy to intermediate walking track. Most of it follows a gentle gradient around the hill, with a couple of short steep sections.
How do I get to Blumine Island?
By your own boat, a water taxi from Picton or by sea kayak. There are no moorings or jetties, so expect to anchor and land on the beach with wet feet.
Are dogs allowed?
No. DOC says no dogs on this track.
What wildlife might I see?
Weka are common, and DOC says you might spot the endangered saddleback or orange-fronted parakeet. Look in the weta motels along the track too.
What do I need to do before landing?
Check your boat and all your gear, especially camping gear, for rats, mice and ants. The island is pest free and DOC relies on visitors to keep it that way.
What is at the end of the track?
The western gun emplacement, a historic site with views over the Sound, including across to Long Island.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.