Wakamarina Track
Located in Mount Richmond Forest Park in the Marlborough region
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Introduction
Follow in the footsteps of old goldminers on the Wakamarina Track to cross the Richmond Range from the Wairau Valley to the Wakamarina Valley.Mountain biking
Advanced: Grade 4Dog access
The track is classified as a tramping track. It is steep and rough in places, particularly between Devil's Creek Hut and Foster's Clearing; boots are recommended.
Kiwi Road to Foster’s Clearing
Time: 2 hr
From the car park on Kiwi Road a well-graded track follows the eastern side of Bartletts Ridge before crossing the head of Bartletts Creek and climbing to the Foster Creek– Bartletts Creek saddle, known as Foster’s Clearing. A short side track leads east up the ridge to Foster’s Hut.
Fosters Clearing to Devil’s Creek Hut
Time: 3 hr
Below Foster’s Clearing the track descends into the head of Foster Creek, skirting around its headwaters and crossing a series of slaty schist creeks. It then climbs to a saddle between Foster and Devil’s Creeks.
From this saddle the track climbs along the Devil’s Creek–Foster Creek ridge and then descends to the benched track of the main Wakamarina Valley. The hut is just five minutes away, in a large clearing on a terrace above the Wakamarina River.
Devil’s Creek Hut to Butchers Flat
Time: 2 hr
From Devil’s Creek Hut a benched track sidles above the river, eventually leaving the beech forest and crossing a burnt-over face to Doom Creek.
A bridge crosses Doom Creek before a short climb up to the benched track that leads to the road end at Butchers Flat.
Mountain biking
The track is popular with experienced, beginner and family trampers, and mountain bikers.
The track is classified as an Advanced/Grade 4 biking track. Mountain bikers could complete the trip in one day, and it is best ridden from south to north.
This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
Blenheim side
- Turn off State Highway 6 on to Northbank Road 6 km north of Renwick – 16 km from Blenheim.
- Follow Northbank Road for 5 km, then Onamalutu Road for 11 km
- Continue past Onamalutu Domain, to Flowers Creek ford.
- A final 5 km up Kiwi Road leads to the car park at the start of the track.
Before planning to use this access, always check the status of this track.
Road access is also possible from Bartletts Valley.
Havelock side
Access to the track is via Wakamarina Road from Canvastown 9 km west of Havelock on SH6 between Nelson and Blenheim. This road is narrow, winding gravel road. There are also two steep fords near the campsite which are difficult for long campervans, vehicles with long overhangs and caravans.
The section of track from Butchers Flat carpark is no longer accessible to 4WD vehicles. Track users must park at the carpark and either walk or cycle to the track start.
- Dogs are allowed in this area with a permit. A maximum of four dogs per party is allowed. Contact the South Marlborough or Sounds offices for permits.
- The track is rough in places and care must be taken.
- The weather is changeable, especially at high altitudes, so take warm, waterproof clothing and plenty of food. Remember your safety is your responsibility.
- Historic sites remind us of our past. Do not disturb them.
Flood damage and restrictions for Marlborough Sounds roads
Most Marlborough Sounds roads have been impacted by major flood damage from storms in August 2022.
Bird and wildlife watching
Birdlife is varied and abundant and includes large numbers of tomtits and weka. Pigeons and tuis are more common at lower altitudes, while rifleman and brown creepers tend to be more obvious higher up.
Flora and fauna
Tall red and silver beech trees, rimu and kamahi form the forest canopy, with a pepperwood shrub layer and an understorey of dense crown fern. The range of altitudes, particularly on the Wakamarina side, affects temperature, the forest structure and tree size markedly.
You may also see carnivorous native land snail Powelliphanta. These ancient animals feed on worms at night are are themselves eaten by weka and introduced possums and pigs. Powelliphanta are completely protected; it is illegal to remove them or their empty shells which provide a source of all-important calcium for these unique giants.
Gold was first discovered in the Wakamarina River in 1860. However, it was not under 1864 that it was prospected and found to be one of the richest goldfields in New Zealand.
A number of tent towns sprang up in the valley and by July 1864 there were about 2800 miners working between Doom Creek and Canvastown. By the beginning of 1865 the boom was over and most of the miners had left for other fields.
During the 1930s about 150 miners worked the goldfield, but their number declined sharply after the Depression. More recent attempts (including using diving suits in 1960) have been quite successful in working deeper stretches of the river which were out of the reach of early miners. Today there has been renewed interest in mining and virtually the whole of the Wakamarina River is staked for claims.
Stay safe in the outdoors
- Choose the right trip for you. Learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it.
- Understand the weather. Check weather forecasts.
- Pack warm clothes and extra food. Check gear lists.
- Share your plans and take ways to get help. Share directly or use the Outdoor Intentions form or Plan My Walk. Take a distress beacon.
- Take care of yourself and each other.
Contacts
| Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre | |
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| Phone | +64 3 546 9339 |
| nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Hours | See visitor centre hours |
| DOC Customer Service Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0800 275 362 |
| renwick@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | DOC offices |
| DOC Customer Service Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0800 275 362 |
| picton@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | DOC offices |