Last updated November 2026
The Wairau Lagoons Walkway is a flat 9 km loop track managed by the Department of Conservation through the estuarine lagoons east of Blenheim. It offers excellent birdwatching opportunities and passes the rusting hulk of the historic TSS Waverley.
The track follows the shoreline of the upper lagoon, passing Budges and Moerepo Islands before reaching the main channel. The full loop typically takes around three hours and is suitable for most walkers including families with older children.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Wairau Lagoons Walkway on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Location
- End of Hardings Road, 5 km south of Blenheim off SH1
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation (DOC)
- Distance
- 9 km loop
- Difficulty
- Easy, flat throughout
- Time
- Approximately 3 hours (full loop)
- Surface
- Formed path with some boardwalk sections
- Parking
- DOC carpark at track entrance
- Cost
- Free
- Birds
- Almost 90 species recorded
- 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 the Wairau Lagoons Walkway
The Wairau Lagoons formed over the last 6,500 years behind an 8 km boulder bank. They create a protected estuarine environment of shallow saline lagoons where the Wairau River meets the sea. The lagoons provide nutrient-rich feeding habitat for wading birds, shorebirds and waterfowl. The walkway gives insight into this productive wetland ecosystem and its specialised plants and animals.
The track is virtually flat and easy underfoot in dry conditions. After heavy rain some sections near the lagoon edge can become soft. Visitors should bring binoculars as much bird activity occurs on open water and mudflats at a distance. Hot dry conditions and strong cold winds are common in the area.
The lagoons have long supported human activity. Māori hunted for food here and some channels may have been extended to trap moulting birds or eels. Early camps on the boulder bank show evidence of moa hunting.
Walking the Track
The loop starts from the carpark at the end of Hardings Road. It follows the shoreline of the upper lagoon past Budges and Moerepo Islands to the main channel.
Walkers can return the same way or take a more direct route across the saltmarsh with its salt-resistant plants. It is also possible to continue beyond the Waverley for views of the river. The track is ideal for children who can manage the distance.
Kotuku Trail along the Ōpaoa River
The Kotuku Trail is a second, longer way to reach the lagoons. It runs for about 4.5 km one way (9 km return) beside the lower Ōpaoa River, from Hardings Road to the river mouth at the Wairau Bar, where it links with the DOC walkway described above.
Marlborough District Council created the trail as part of the expansion and upgrade of its treatment plant, and the trail passes the council’s treatment ponds beside the river.
The trail is flat and graded easy. It is a shared path, so expect cyclists as well as walkers. Dogs are allowed on a lead on the Kotuku Trail, but DOC does not allow dogs on the Wairau Lagoons Walkway, so leave them at home if you plan the loop.
Getting to the start
Heading south from Blenheim on State Highway 1, turn left into Hardings Road about 800 m past the Riverlands industrial area. The parking area for the Kotuku Trail is on the left, about 1.3 km down Hardings Road. The DOC walkway starts from the end of the same road.
Making a loop
Walkers can join the Kotuku Trail and the Wairau Lagoons Walkway to make one large loop: along the river to the Wairau Bar, then back past the lagoons to Hardings Road. The river trail adds about 4.5 km to the lagoon walk, and the whole area is exposed, so take water and a windproof layer.
- Length: about 4.5 km one way
- Grade: easy, flat
- Use: shared walking and cycling path
- Dogs: on a lead (not on the DOC walkway)
- Start: Hardings Road, Riverlands, off State Highway 1
Birdwatching at the Lagoons
Almost 90 bird species have been recorded at the Wairau Lagoons, making it one of the most biodiverse wetland sites in the South Island. The royal spoonbill (kōtuku ngutupapa) is a highlight species, with a breeding colony established here since 1979.
Other regularly seen species include pied stilt, South Island pied oystercatcher, banded dotterel, white-fronted tern, grey teal, New Zealand shoveler and paradise shelduck. Early morning visits and low tide conditions offer the best viewing.
The Waverley Wreck
The TSS Waverley is a 19th-century steamer built in 1883. It was towed from Wellington to be scuttled as a breakwater at the Wairau River mouth.
A flood swept the vessel up the channel to its current resting place in the lagoons where it has slowly rusted for decades. The hulk is a distinctive landmark and popular photography subject, especially at low tide.
Where to Learn More
DOC: Wairau Lagoons Walkway: Official track details, access information and conditions from the Department of Conservation.
Marlborough NZ: Wairau Lagoons Walkway: Visitor overview with directions and tips for the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Wairau Lagoons Walkway?
The full loop is 9 km and takes approximately 3 hours. It can be shortened by returning partway around the loop.
Can I see royal spoonbills at the Wairau Lagoons?
Yes. The lagoons host one of New Zealand’s most reliable royal spoonbill populations with a colony established since 1979.
What is the Waverley at the Wairau Lagoons?
The TSS Waverley is a steamer built in 1883 that was intended to be scuttled as a breakwater but ended up in the lagoons where its rusting hulk remains visible from the track.
Is the Wairau Lagoons Walkway suitable for children?
Yes. The track is flat and easy throughout, suitable for children who can walk the full distance. Shorter options work well for younger walkers.
Is there a fee to walk the Wairau Lagoons Walkway?
No. The walkway is free and managed by the Department of Conservation.
What time of day is best for birdwatching at the Wairau Lagoons?
Early morning visits are recommended for peak bird activity. Low tide exposes more mudflats and brings feeding birds closer to the track.
Are dogs allowed on the Wairau Lagoons Walkway?
No. DOC doesn’t allow dogs on the walkway, which protects the ground-nesting birds. The council’s Kotuku Trail beside the river allows dogs on a lead.
Is cycling allowed on the Wairau Lagoons Walkway?
Cycling is not normally permitted on the walkway. It is designated for walking only.
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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.