Some Popular Short Walks / Hikes in and Around Nelson
(15 minutes to 2 hours)
Centre of New Zealand
The Centre of New Zealand on Botanical Hill is one of Nelson’s most popular walks. The starting point is the Botanical Reserve, over a footbridge from the end of Hardy Street, or you can start at the Nelson Visitor Information Centre and follow the Maitai Walkway to the Hardy Street footbridge. Take a look at the interpretive panel at the bottom of the hill for some views of Nelson over the last century, and the history of this ‘Village Green’.
To reach the Centre of New Zealand will take 20-60 minutes, depending on your age, speed and fitness. The main track is suitable for sturdier push chairs and buggies. At the top take a seat, enjoy the stunning view and pick out the features of Nelson’s geography from the information panels.You can go downhill on one of the other tracks on the Botanical Hill, or opt to head along the hillside to Walters Bluff. A good summer option is to take your togs, walk down the eastern side of the hill to Branford Park, have a swim at Black Hole and take the Maitai Track back to your starting point.
What is the Centre of NZ The name reflects the work of John Spence Browning the Chief Surveyor for Nelson in the 1870's. He used the top of the hill as a central survey point for doing the first geodetic survey of New Zealand when earlier isolated surveys where combined. In 1962 the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research conducted a gravity survey that took in Stewart Island, the North and South Islands, and the smaller inshore islands, but not the Chathams. This survey located the centre of New Zealand at 41deg. 30min S., 172deg. 50min E., which is a point in the Spooners Range in the Golden Downs Forest.
Branford Park
Turn left off Maitai Valley Road just before Gibbs Bridge and park in the Branford Park car park.
There are two options for walks in Branford Park.
Easier option: Take the left hand track from the car park area through the bush alongside Branford Park. Follow the Maitai River Track on the other side of the river where there are barbecues and a picnic area. This walk takes you back to the start point by crossing the bridge and returning along the Maitai Valley Road. Approx 20 - 30 minutes
Harder option: Walk to the summit of the Centre of NZ or walk up the track next to the bike slalom course Approx 45 minutes
The Grampians
The track starts at the historic Fairfield House, on the corner of Trafalgar Street South and Van Diemen Street. It takes about 20 min to reach Fairfield House from central Nelson through the Cathedral Grounds.
The Grampians is a large round hill with a television transmitter visible from Nelson City.
The track starts from the Fairfield House driveway where you can find a sign and map giving details about the walk. Follow the track until you reach the Grampians walkway, then take the right zigzag track uphill to the 4WD roadways. Follow this track until you see the transmitter at the summit (392m) and take the direct route to it. At the T-junction just before the transmitter, climb the fence and follow the signs to the viewing platform. This makes an excellent place for a picnic.
Duration: Approx 1 hr – 1 ½ hrs return to viewing platform. Level: Medium
Kahikatea Walk
Start the walk from the small car park near the end of Market Road and the beginning of the Kahikatea Track that takes you to the top of the Grampians.
The initial part of the walk is on the Kahikatea track where you pass the enormous Kahikatea tree that the walk is named after. It is 36m high, 34m spread, 8m circumference and a tree thought to be between 300-500 years old. From here walk to the Observation Platform where there are panoramic views of the city and region. Before the platform is the sign for the Fuchsia walk which veers down to the left. The Fuchsia Track takes you down past the quarry on the right and back to the main track just above the car park.
Duration: 1.3 hours, Level: Medium (A Good level of fitness is needed to complete this walk)
The Barnicoat
Drive past the Marsden Valley Cemetery on Marsden Valley Road and park in the car park. The walkway is well signposted.
The hill is named after John Wallis Barnicoat an early Nelson surveyor.
The walk starts in the car park and leads off across a footbridge joining a four-wheel drive track. After about 10 minutes the walkway diverts off to the left up a steep slope. Continue through the pine forest, which provides good views over the former Ngawhatu Hospital buildings, and on to Jenkins Hill, an area popular with paragliding enthusiasts. The effort is rewarded with great views of Mt Richmond Forest Park and Tasman Bay.
Distance: 6 km, Duration: 3 hours, Level: Medium
Marsden Valley Reserve
The walk starts from the small car park beside the Stoke War Memorial, just a few hundred metres past the cemetery entrance on Marsden Valley Road
The track starts at the right of the war memorial and heads up into the native plantings – a project involving almost all the schools in Nelson and Richmond. The track splits and goes up to the most recent plantings. At this point it is a no exit route, but walk up nearer the top and admire the views. Return to the track by the same route. Continuing, follow it on down until you come to another fork, take the left hand track and down to a small roadside reserve carpark. Turn right and walk back down the road to the carpark.
Duration: 15 - 20 minutes, Level: Easy
Tahunanui & Back Beach
Start from the car park beside the modeller’s pond in the Tahunanui recreation area.
This walk takes you along the back beach and main beach at Tanunanui. The last part of the walk is tidal. Check the tide time tables and do not attempt this two to three hours on either side of high tide. For a different route at low tide you can walk to Parkers Cove along the estuary and return along the back beach and Tahunanui beach.
Dogs are allowed on some of this walk, but not on Tahunanui Main Beach.
Walk around the modellers' pond on the path to the right which takes you to the BMX track and Beach Road. Head to Golf Road and follow it to turn right into Parkers Road as it veers to the right and runs alongside the Tahunanui Holiday Park.
Take the steps down to the beach at Parkers Cove. You are now on the Back Beach and ready to walk right along to the Tahunanui main beach. If you have a dog with you make an exit from the beach as the signs indicate. Otherwise you can stay on the sand until you see a sign pointing to the cafe. Take a right turn up the boardwalk and make the short walk back past Natureland to your starting point at the pond.
Duration: Approx 1hr 15 minutes
Monaco Peninsula
The walk starts from ‘The Honest Lawyer’, an Elizabethan-style country pub at the end of Songer Street on the edge of the Monaco seafront.
Monaco is one of Nelson’s loveliest suburbs with its seaside setting in close proximity to the airport.
Check the newspaper for tide times when planning this walk.
Proceed around the estuary on Point Road and turn right at the Monaco reserve. Cross the reserve and when you get down to the beach turn left and continue around to the southern end of the point. The beach becomes rocky half way around so the road may be easier walking. To the right you can see the tail end of the airport land, and further west is Oyster Island, a public reserve which is great for picnics if you have a boat.
Around the end of the point start heading back towards the Honest Lawyer. The western end of Point Road is a tidal zone and is sand along one portion – in a spring tide make sure to bring your gumboots.
Duration: Approx 1 Hour
Kingsland Court Motel - Tahunanui, NELSON
WHERE YOUR STAY IS MEMORABLE
