Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The track now swings to the west and in 30 minutes reaches the short side track to Cap-
tain Creek Hut (six bunks), located in a clearing just above the river. The hut is a three- to
four-hour walk from the car park; it has no rainwater supply. Right in front of the hut is a
nice pool for swimming. You may also see the occasional angler in these parts.
From here, the main track continues to follow the river and within 10 minutes crosses
Captain Creek
, a good-sized stream rushing out of the mountains. Exercise extreme care
here during or after high rainfall. In another five minutes the track arrives at a swing bridge
that spans a tight, rocky gorge high above the Pelorus. If swing bridges make you uneasy,
this one will have you gripping its cables all the way across. Once on the true right side
(south) of the Pelorus, you climb steeply out of the gorge and then sidle the bluffs until the
track descends to a swing bridge across Fishtail Stream, reached one hour (3km) from Cap-
tain Creek Hut.
From the creek you climb again, and cross a bush-clad terrace where the Pelorus forms a
wide loop. It's another 1km before you pop out at Middy Creek Hut (six bunks), a two-hour
(6km) walk from Captain Creek, opposite the confluence of Middy Creek and the Pelorus
River. Nearby is a signposted junction with a track that heads south to Conical Knob
(1216m) and Mt Fell (1606m). The river is close at hand and there is a very deep pool under
the nearby swing bridge. Beware of the ferocious sandflies.
PELORUS BRIDGE SCENIC RESERVE
A pocket of deep green forest tucked away among paddocks of bog-standard pasture,
18km west of Havelock, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve contains one of the last stands
of river-flat forest in Marlborough. It survived only because a town planned in 1865
didn't get off the ground by 1912, by which time obliterative logging made this little
remnant look precious. The reserve was born, and hats off to that, because now visit-
ors can explore its many tracks, admire the historic bridge, or even take a dip in the
limpid Pelorus River (beautiful enough to star in Peter Jackson'sThe Hobbit).
But wait, there's more. Secluded away from the highway, nestled into the forest,
Pelorus Bridge Campground & Cafe
( 03-571 6019;
www.doc.govt.nz;
unpowered/powered
sites per person $12/6)
is a magical place to spend a night or two. Not only is it a pictur-
esque gem, it has hot showers, a smart kitchen and a large deck with river views. The
cafe has delightful home-baked pies which you can walk off on a nearby nature trail
before heading back in for cake.
