Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The track passing above
Ngawhakawhiti Bay
cuts through thick bush. Once again, the
bush is worth more than just a cursory upward glance. The forest greenery is predominantly
made up of beech, kamahi and ferns, with the odd kahikatea and rimu also on show. A sign
near the bay describes the bird life that can be observed along the tramp. The broad-leaved
coastal forest here is beautiful, featuring a collection of miro, nikau palm, beech, matai and
rimu.
From here the tramp on to
Duncan Bay
remains level and easy almost the entire way,
passing along a track that has been cut into the bluff above the water. It will take you an
hour from the saddle to reach Ngawhakawhiti Bay, and another hour to get to Duncan Bay
car park, where trampers are picked up by van transport. No camping is allowed at Duncan
Bay, so the nearest facility is now Harvey Bay Campsite, a five- to 10-minute drive - or
about an hour's walk - further up Tennyson Inlet Rd.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Pelorus Track
Duration
3 days
Distance
36km (22.4 miles)
Track Standard
Tramping track
Difficulty
Moderate
Start
Maungatapu Rd
End
Hacket picnic area
Nearest Towns
Havelock (
Click here
)
, Nelson (
Click here
)
Transport
Shuttle bus
Summary
This track offers a remote forest experience up the Pelorus Valley at the edge of
bustling Nelson. The Pelorus River is noted for its deep green pools, which are the delight
of both trout and sore-footed trampers.
Often overlooked by trampers rushing off to Abel Tasman National Park, Mt Richmond
Forest Park is right on the doorsteps of Havelock, Picton, Blenheim and Nelson. The Rich-
mond Range forms the backbone of the 1660-sq-km park, which covers most of the steep,
